Texas School Safety
Guardian Program
Certification Exam:
Complete Practice Test
Section 1: Legal Framework and Program Overview
1. The Texas School Safety Certification (Guardian Program) was established by
the Texas Legislature in what year?
• A) 2007
• B) 2010
• C) 2013
• D) 2018
Answer: C) 2013
Rationale: The Guardian Program was established following the tragedy at Sandy Hook
Elementary as part of broader school safety legislation .
2. Which section of the Texas Government Code authorizes DPS to certify
qualified handgun instructors in school safety?
• A) Texas Government Code §411.1901
• B) Texas Education Code §37.0814
• C) Texas Occupations Code §1701
• D) Texas Penal Code §9
,Answer: A) Texas Government Code §411.1901
Rationale: This is the statutory basis for DPS school safety certification, establishing the
four core training topics required for school guardians .
3. What is the primary legal authority governing the use of force by a school
guardian?
• A) Texas Education Code §37
• B) Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 (Use of Force)
• C) Texas Government Code §411
• D) Texas Occupations Code §1702
Answer: B) Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 (Use of Force)
Rationale: The Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 establishes the legal standards for the use
of force and deadly force, which apply to school guardians .
4. Which Texas law allows school districts to claim a "good cause exception"
regarding armed security requirements?
• A) House Bill 3
• B) Senate Bill 838
• C) House Bill 13
• D) Senate Bill 1664
Answer: A) House Bill 3
Rationale: House Bill 3 allows a board that claims a good cause exception to develop
an alternative standard with which the district is able to comply .
,Section 2: Eligibility Requirements
5. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for Guardian Program
eligibility?
• A) Valid Texas License to Carry (LTC)
• B) Voluntary participation
• C) Teaching certification
• D) Psychological evaluation
Answer: C) Teaching certification
Rationale: Eligibility requirements include: valid Texas LTC, voluntary participation,
superintendent/board approval, psychological evaluation, background check, and drug
screening. Teaching certification is not required .
6. Who can be authorized as a school guardian?
• A) Any adult with a valid LTC
• B) Only full-time employees of the district or charter school
• C) Retired police officers regardless of employment status
• D) Part-time employees may serve only if they volunteer without pay
Answer: B) Only full-time employees of the district or charter school
Rationale: The definition of "school guardian" under Education Code §37.0814 and SB
838 refers to a person authorized under written regulations of a school district—
specifically, an employee of the district .
, 7. What is the statutory foundation that allows guardians to carry firearms on
school premises?
• A) Texas Penal Code §46.03 provides an exception for persons authorized
under written school district regulations
• B) Completion of basic hunter safety course
• C) Enrollment in concealed carry insurance policy
• D) Direct appointment by the Superintendent
Answer: A) Texas Penal Code §46.03 provides an exception for persons
authorized under written school district regulations
Rationale: Penal Code §46.03 generally prohibits firearms on school premises, but
includes an exception for a person authorized to carry under written regulations of a
school district for safety and security purposes—which is the statutory basis for the
guardian program .
8. Who has final authority to select and approve employees for participation in
the School Guardian program?
• A) The Principal
• B) The Board of Trustees delegates to the Superintendent
• C) The Texas Department of Public Safety
• D) The School Safety Committee
Answer: B) The Board of Trustees delegates to the Superintendent
Rationale: The Board of Trustees determines the appropriate number of guardians and
delegates to the Superintendent the sole authority to select employees for
participation .
Guardian Program
Certification Exam:
Complete Practice Test
Section 1: Legal Framework and Program Overview
1. The Texas School Safety Certification (Guardian Program) was established by
the Texas Legislature in what year?
• A) 2007
• B) 2010
• C) 2013
• D) 2018
Answer: C) 2013
Rationale: The Guardian Program was established following the tragedy at Sandy Hook
Elementary as part of broader school safety legislation .
2. Which section of the Texas Government Code authorizes DPS to certify
qualified handgun instructors in school safety?
• A) Texas Government Code §411.1901
• B) Texas Education Code §37.0814
• C) Texas Occupations Code §1701
• D) Texas Penal Code §9
,Answer: A) Texas Government Code §411.1901
Rationale: This is the statutory basis for DPS school safety certification, establishing the
four core training topics required for school guardians .
3. What is the primary legal authority governing the use of force by a school
guardian?
• A) Texas Education Code §37
• B) Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 (Use of Force)
• C) Texas Government Code §411
• D) Texas Occupations Code §1702
Answer: B) Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 (Use of Force)
Rationale: The Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 establishes the legal standards for the use
of force and deadly force, which apply to school guardians .
4. Which Texas law allows school districts to claim a "good cause exception"
regarding armed security requirements?
• A) House Bill 3
• B) Senate Bill 838
• C) House Bill 13
• D) Senate Bill 1664
Answer: A) House Bill 3
Rationale: House Bill 3 allows a board that claims a good cause exception to develop
an alternative standard with which the district is able to comply .
,Section 2: Eligibility Requirements
5. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for Guardian Program
eligibility?
• A) Valid Texas License to Carry (LTC)
• B) Voluntary participation
• C) Teaching certification
• D) Psychological evaluation
Answer: C) Teaching certification
Rationale: Eligibility requirements include: valid Texas LTC, voluntary participation,
superintendent/board approval, psychological evaluation, background check, and drug
screening. Teaching certification is not required .
6. Who can be authorized as a school guardian?
• A) Any adult with a valid LTC
• B) Only full-time employees of the district or charter school
• C) Retired police officers regardless of employment status
• D) Part-time employees may serve only if they volunteer without pay
Answer: B) Only full-time employees of the district or charter school
Rationale: The definition of "school guardian" under Education Code §37.0814 and SB
838 refers to a person authorized under written regulations of a school district—
specifically, an employee of the district .
, 7. What is the statutory foundation that allows guardians to carry firearms on
school premises?
• A) Texas Penal Code §46.03 provides an exception for persons authorized
under written school district regulations
• B) Completion of basic hunter safety course
• C) Enrollment in concealed carry insurance policy
• D) Direct appointment by the Superintendent
Answer: A) Texas Penal Code §46.03 provides an exception for persons
authorized under written school district regulations
Rationale: Penal Code §46.03 generally prohibits firearms on school premises, but
includes an exception for a person authorized to carry under written regulations of a
school district for safety and security purposes—which is the statutory basis for the
guardian program .
8. Who has final authority to select and approve employees for participation in
the School Guardian program?
• A) The Principal
• B) The Board of Trustees delegates to the Superintendent
• C) The Texas Department of Public Safety
• D) The School Safety Committee
Answer: B) The Board of Trustees delegates to the Superintendent
Rationale: The Board of Trustees determines the appropriate number of guardians and
delegates to the Superintendent the sole authority to select employees for
participation .
