NEW YORK WGP LICENSE EXAM – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
300 QUESTIONS & CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES GRADED A+ | 2026–2027 | NYS DOS-DLS BASED
LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1: LICENSING AUTHORITY & JURISDICTION
Questions 1-25
QUESTION 1
Which office has the primary authority to issue and regulate New York Watch
Guard/Patrol (WGP) licenses?
Options:
- New York State Police
- Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (DOS-DLS)
- New York Attorney General's Office
- New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
Correct Answer: Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (DOS-DLS)
Rationale: The DOS-DLS, under the Secretary of State, is the statutory body
mandated to issue, renew, and enforce compliance for WGP licenses under Article
7-A of the General Business Law. The State Police enforce criminal laws and do
not handle licensing. The Attorney General prosecutes violations but does not
issue licenses. The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs licenses only
city-level businesses, not state-level security agencies.
QUESTION 2
Under which Article of New York law is the WGP license primarily governed?
Options:
1
,- Article 7 of the General Business Law
- Article 7-A of the General Business Law
- Article 8 of the Penal Law
- Article 6 of the Executive Law
Correct Answer: Article 7-A of the General Business Law
Rationale: Article 7-A, also known as the Security Guard Act (sections 89-E
through 89-W), specifically establishes the licensing and regulatory framework
for WGP agencies. Article 7 pertains to Private Investigators and Bail
Enforcement Agents, not WGP agencies. Article 8 of the Penal Law defines
criminal offenses and penalties. Article 6 of the Executive Law outlines the
organization of state departments but does not contain licensing provisions for
security agencies.
QUESTION 3
Who investigates criminal violations of WGP licensing rules?
Options:
- New York State Police
- Local Police Departments
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General's Office
Correct Answer: Secretary of State
Rationale: The Secretary of State has statutory investigative authority over
licensing violations. The State Police and local police enforce general
criminal laws but are not the designated investigators for licensing matters.
The Attorney General prosecutes violations after investigation but does not
conduct the initial investigations.
2
,QUESTION 4
Who prosecutes criminal violations of WGP licensing rules?
Options:
- Local District Attorney
- New York State Attorney General
- Secretary of State
- Division of Licensing Services
Correct Answer: New York State Attorney General
Rationale: The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the state and
prosecutes violations of state licensing laws. Local District Attorneys
prosecute local and county crimes, not state-level licensing offenses. The
Secretary of State investigates but does not prosecute. The Division of
Licensing Services administers licenses but does not handle prosecutions.
QUESTION 5
The term "watch, guard or patrol agency" is defined in which specific section
of law?
Options:
- General Business Law § 89-a
- General Business Law § 89-e
- Penal Law § 10.00
- Executive Law § 837
Correct Answer: General Business Law § 89-a
3
, Rationale: Section 89-a of the General Business Law provides the definition of
"watch, guard or patrol agency." Section 89-e is the beginning of Article 7-A
and addresses the Security Guard Act generally, but the specific definition is
found earlier. Penal Law § 10.00 defines general criminal terms. Executive Law
§ 837 deals with the Division of Criminal Justice Services, not licensing
definitions.
QUESTION 6
A person who engages in the business of providing security guard services
without a license is guilty of what classification of offense?
Options:
- A violation
- A misdemeanor
- A felony
- An infraction
Correct Answer: A misdemeanor
Rationale: Operating a WGP agency without a license is a Class B misdemeanor
under the General Business Law. A violation is a non-criminal offense (e.g.,
traffic infraction). A felony is a more serious crime (e.g., grand larceny). An
infraction is a minor offense typically punishable by a fine only.
QUESTION 7
Which governmental body can revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a WGP
license?
4
300 QUESTIONS & CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES GRADED A+ | 2026–2027 | NYS DOS-DLS BASED
LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1: LICENSING AUTHORITY & JURISDICTION
Questions 1-25
QUESTION 1
Which office has the primary authority to issue and regulate New York Watch
Guard/Patrol (WGP) licenses?
Options:
- New York State Police
- Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (DOS-DLS)
- New York Attorney General's Office
- New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
Correct Answer: Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (DOS-DLS)
Rationale: The DOS-DLS, under the Secretary of State, is the statutory body
mandated to issue, renew, and enforce compliance for WGP licenses under Article
7-A of the General Business Law. The State Police enforce criminal laws and do
not handle licensing. The Attorney General prosecutes violations but does not
issue licenses. The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs licenses only
city-level businesses, not state-level security agencies.
QUESTION 2
Under which Article of New York law is the WGP license primarily governed?
Options:
1
,- Article 7 of the General Business Law
- Article 7-A of the General Business Law
- Article 8 of the Penal Law
- Article 6 of the Executive Law
Correct Answer: Article 7-A of the General Business Law
Rationale: Article 7-A, also known as the Security Guard Act (sections 89-E
through 89-W), specifically establishes the licensing and regulatory framework
for WGP agencies. Article 7 pertains to Private Investigators and Bail
Enforcement Agents, not WGP agencies. Article 8 of the Penal Law defines
criminal offenses and penalties. Article 6 of the Executive Law outlines the
organization of state departments but does not contain licensing provisions for
security agencies.
QUESTION 3
Who investigates criminal violations of WGP licensing rules?
Options:
- New York State Police
- Local Police Departments
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General's Office
Correct Answer: Secretary of State
Rationale: The Secretary of State has statutory investigative authority over
licensing violations. The State Police and local police enforce general
criminal laws but are not the designated investigators for licensing matters.
The Attorney General prosecutes violations after investigation but does not
conduct the initial investigations.
2
,QUESTION 4
Who prosecutes criminal violations of WGP licensing rules?
Options:
- Local District Attorney
- New York State Attorney General
- Secretary of State
- Division of Licensing Services
Correct Answer: New York State Attorney General
Rationale: The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the state and
prosecutes violations of state licensing laws. Local District Attorneys
prosecute local and county crimes, not state-level licensing offenses. The
Secretary of State investigates but does not prosecute. The Division of
Licensing Services administers licenses but does not handle prosecutions.
QUESTION 5
The term "watch, guard or patrol agency" is defined in which specific section
of law?
Options:
- General Business Law § 89-a
- General Business Law § 89-e
- Penal Law § 10.00
- Executive Law § 837
Correct Answer: General Business Law § 89-a
3
, Rationale: Section 89-a of the General Business Law provides the definition of
"watch, guard or patrol agency." Section 89-e is the beginning of Article 7-A
and addresses the Security Guard Act generally, but the specific definition is
found earlier. Penal Law § 10.00 defines general criminal terms. Executive Law
§ 837 deals with the Division of Criminal Justice Services, not licensing
definitions.
QUESTION 6
A person who engages in the business of providing security guard services
without a license is guilty of what classification of offense?
Options:
- A violation
- A misdemeanor
- A felony
- An infraction
Correct Answer: A misdemeanor
Rationale: Operating a WGP agency without a license is a Class B misdemeanor
under the General Business Law. A violation is a non-criminal offense (e.g.,
traffic infraction). A felony is a more serious crime (e.g., grand larceny). An
infraction is a minor offense typically punishable by a fine only.
QUESTION 7
Which governmental body can revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a WGP
license?
4
