JUVENILE JUSTICE CERTIFICATION
PAR EXAM STUDY GUIDE DJJ A+
(2026/27)
2026/2027 Official Exam — Protective Action Response
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED EXAM DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
■ 1. PAR Policy, Legal Authority & Escalation Matrix
■ 2. Verbal Intervention & Crisis Communication
■ 3. Levels of Resistance & Authorized Responses
■ 4. Physical Techniques, Safety & Mechanical Restraints
■ 5. Documentation, Medical, Certification & Professional Conduct
Passing Score: 80% | Marks: 1 per question | Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
, SECTION 1 — PAR Policy, Legal Authority & Escalation Matrix
Q1. A direct-care staff member observes a youth refusing to leave the day room after being given a clear verbal directive.
The youth is sitting motionless and not attempting to strike anyone. Under Florida DJJ PAR policy, what is the staff
member’s first required action before any physical contact is considered?
A. Exhaust all appropriate verbal intervention techniques and document that a clear safety or security risk exists before any
physical intervention
B. Call for mechanical restraints without further verbal effort
C. Immediately apply a control technique to move the youth
D. Leave the area and wait for the youth to comply on their own
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PAR policy requires verbal intervention as the initial response. Physical intervention is authorized only when necessary to
prevent harm, property damage, or escape, and after verbal options have been exhausted when the resistance is passive.
Q2. According to the PAR Escalation Matrix, a youth who is bracing against staff and attempting to pull away while still
not trying to strike is displaying which level of resistance?
A. Verbal resistance
B. Active resistance
C. Passive resistance
D. Aggravated resistance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Active resistance is characterized by physical efforts such as bracing, pushing, or pulling away without the intent to injure.
Combative and aggravated levels involve intent to harm.
Q3. Florida Statute and DJJ rule authorize the use of physical force by staff only under specific circumstances. Which of
the following situations most clearly justifies a Level 2 physical intervention?
A. A youth is refusing to participate in a scheduled program activity
B. A youth is sitting on the floor and will not stand when asked
C. A youth is talking loudly and using profanity but remains seated
D. A youth is actively attempting to assault another youth and verbal commands have failed to stop the attack
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Physical intervention is justified when necessary to prevent physical harm. An ongoing assault that verbal intervention
cannot stop meets the statutory threshold; passive non-compliance alone does not.
Q4. The PAR Escalation Matrix is best described as which type of tool for staff decision-making?
A. A staffing formula that determines how many officers must respond to every incident
B. A medical protocol for treating injuries after an intervention
C. A guideline that matches authorized levels of staff response to the youth’s observed level of resistance
D. A rigid checklist that requires the same technique for every youth at a given resistance level
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Escalation Matrix provides guidance linking five levels of youth resistance to the authorized levels of staff response
(verbal, physical, mechanical), promoting the least restrictive effective intervention.
Q5. A supervisor is reviewing an incident in which staff used a takedown on a youth who was only verbally refusing a
directive. What disciplinary concern is most directly raised by this action under PAR policy?
A. Staff correctly followed the matrix because verbal refusal automatically authorizes physical force
B. Staff used a technique that is never authorized under any circumstance
C. Staff should have used mechanical restraints instead of a takedown
D. Staff failed to exhaust verbal interventions and used physical force when no clear safety or security risk was present
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Using physical force for pure verbal non-compliance without exhausting verbal options and without a demonstrated risk of
harm, property damage, or escape violates PAR policy and can result in disciplinary action.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM | Page 2 of 17
, Q6. Under DJJ PAR rules, mechanical restraints may never be used for which of the following purposes?
A. To control a youth who is actively assaulting others after verbal and physical options have failed
B. To secure a youth who poses an immediate threat of serious harm
C. To prevent a youth from escaping during transport
D. As a form of punishment or for staff convenience
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Policy and statute expressly prohibit the use of force or restraints as punishment. Mechanical restraints are authorized only
for legitimate safety and security purposes.
Q7. A youth is displaying combative resistance by swinging closed fists at staff. According to the Escalation Matrix, which
response level is authorized once verbal commands have been ineffective?
A. Immediate use of a Taser
B. Only continued verbal dialogue
C. No response other than evacuation of the area
D. Physical intervention techniques and, if necessary, mechanical restraints
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Combative resistance (intent to harm) authorizes Level 2 physical techniques and, when required for safety, Level 3
mechanical restraints. Tasers are prohibited on youth.
Q8. The primary goal of the Protective Action Response system is best stated as which of the following?
A. To eliminate all verbal communication once a youth shows any resistance
B. To demonstrate staff authority through physical control whenever possible
C. To ensure every non-compliant youth is restrained as quickly as possible
D. To maintain safety and order while using the least restrictive means of intervention necessary
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: PAR is designed to protect youth and staff by emphasizing verbal de-escalation first and authorizing physical or mechanical
measures only when necessary and proportionate.
Q9. A staff member is unsure whether a youth’s current behavior has crossed from passive to active resistance. Which
observation most clearly indicates active resistance?
A. The youth is lying limp on the floor (dead weight)
B. The youth is sitting and refusing to speak
C. The youth is bracing, pushing, or pulling away from staff contact while still not attempting to strike
D. The youth is using only verbal threats without any physical movement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Active resistance involves physical opposition such as bracing or pulling away. Dead-weight or pure verbal non-compliance
remains in the passive or verbal categories.
Q10. Florida law and DJJ rule prohibit the use of which device on youth in DJJ facilities and programs?
A. Soft restraints used during transport
B. Leg restraints applied for safety during movement
C. Handcuffs applied in accordance with the approved matrix
D. A Taser or electronic control device
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Statute and PAR policy expressly prohibit the use of a Taser on a youth. Only authorized mechanical restraints listed in the
rule may be used.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM | Page 3 of 17
PAR EXAM STUDY GUIDE DJJ A+
(2026/27)
2026/2027 Official Exam — Protective Action Response
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED EXAM DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
■ 1. PAR Policy, Legal Authority & Escalation Matrix
■ 2. Verbal Intervention & Crisis Communication
■ 3. Levels of Resistance & Authorized Responses
■ 4. Physical Techniques, Safety & Mechanical Restraints
■ 5. Documentation, Medical, Certification & Professional Conduct
Passing Score: 80% | Marks: 1 per question | Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
, SECTION 1 — PAR Policy, Legal Authority & Escalation Matrix
Q1. A direct-care staff member observes a youth refusing to leave the day room after being given a clear verbal directive.
The youth is sitting motionless and not attempting to strike anyone. Under Florida DJJ PAR policy, what is the staff
member’s first required action before any physical contact is considered?
A. Exhaust all appropriate verbal intervention techniques and document that a clear safety or security risk exists before any
physical intervention
B. Call for mechanical restraints without further verbal effort
C. Immediately apply a control technique to move the youth
D. Leave the area and wait for the youth to comply on their own
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PAR policy requires verbal intervention as the initial response. Physical intervention is authorized only when necessary to
prevent harm, property damage, or escape, and after verbal options have been exhausted when the resistance is passive.
Q2. According to the PAR Escalation Matrix, a youth who is bracing against staff and attempting to pull away while still
not trying to strike is displaying which level of resistance?
A. Verbal resistance
B. Active resistance
C. Passive resistance
D. Aggravated resistance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Active resistance is characterized by physical efforts such as bracing, pushing, or pulling away without the intent to injure.
Combative and aggravated levels involve intent to harm.
Q3. Florida Statute and DJJ rule authorize the use of physical force by staff only under specific circumstances. Which of
the following situations most clearly justifies a Level 2 physical intervention?
A. A youth is refusing to participate in a scheduled program activity
B. A youth is sitting on the floor and will not stand when asked
C. A youth is talking loudly and using profanity but remains seated
D. A youth is actively attempting to assault another youth and verbal commands have failed to stop the attack
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Physical intervention is justified when necessary to prevent physical harm. An ongoing assault that verbal intervention
cannot stop meets the statutory threshold; passive non-compliance alone does not.
Q4. The PAR Escalation Matrix is best described as which type of tool for staff decision-making?
A. A staffing formula that determines how many officers must respond to every incident
B. A medical protocol for treating injuries after an intervention
C. A guideline that matches authorized levels of staff response to the youth’s observed level of resistance
D. A rigid checklist that requires the same technique for every youth at a given resistance level
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Escalation Matrix provides guidance linking five levels of youth resistance to the authorized levels of staff response
(verbal, physical, mechanical), promoting the least restrictive effective intervention.
Q5. A supervisor is reviewing an incident in which staff used a takedown on a youth who was only verbally refusing a
directive. What disciplinary concern is most directly raised by this action under PAR policy?
A. Staff correctly followed the matrix because verbal refusal automatically authorizes physical force
B. Staff used a technique that is never authorized under any circumstance
C. Staff should have used mechanical restraints instead of a takedown
D. Staff failed to exhaust verbal interventions and used physical force when no clear safety or security risk was present
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Using physical force for pure verbal non-compliance without exhausting verbal options and without a demonstrated risk of
harm, property damage, or escape violates PAR policy and can result in disciplinary action.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM | Page 2 of 17
, Q6. Under DJJ PAR rules, mechanical restraints may never be used for which of the following purposes?
A. To control a youth who is actively assaulting others after verbal and physical options have failed
B. To secure a youth who poses an immediate threat of serious harm
C. To prevent a youth from escaping during transport
D. As a form of punishment or for staff convenience
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Policy and statute expressly prohibit the use of force or restraints as punishment. Mechanical restraints are authorized only
for legitimate safety and security purposes.
Q7. A youth is displaying combative resistance by swinging closed fists at staff. According to the Escalation Matrix, which
response level is authorized once verbal commands have been ineffective?
A. Immediate use of a Taser
B. Only continued verbal dialogue
C. No response other than evacuation of the area
D. Physical intervention techniques and, if necessary, mechanical restraints
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Combative resistance (intent to harm) authorizes Level 2 physical techniques and, when required for safety, Level 3
mechanical restraints. Tasers are prohibited on youth.
Q8. The primary goal of the Protective Action Response system is best stated as which of the following?
A. To eliminate all verbal communication once a youth shows any resistance
B. To demonstrate staff authority through physical control whenever possible
C. To ensure every non-compliant youth is restrained as quickly as possible
D. To maintain safety and order while using the least restrictive means of intervention necessary
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: PAR is designed to protect youth and staff by emphasizing verbal de-escalation first and authorizing physical or mechanical
measures only when necessary and proportionate.
Q9. A staff member is unsure whether a youth’s current behavior has crossed from passive to active resistance. Which
observation most clearly indicates active resistance?
A. The youth is lying limp on the floor (dead weight)
B. The youth is sitting and refusing to speak
C. The youth is bracing, pushing, or pulling away from staff contact while still not attempting to strike
D. The youth is using only verbal threats without any physical movement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Active resistance involves physical opposition such as bracing or pulling away. Dead-weight or pure verbal non-compliance
remains in the passive or verbal categories.
Q10. Florida law and DJJ rule prohibit the use of which device on youth in DJJ facilities and programs?
A. Soft restraints used during transport
B. Leg restraints applied for safety during movement
C. Handcuffs applied in accordance with the approved matrix
D. A Taser or electronic control device
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Statute and PAR policy expressly prohibit the use of a Taser on a youth. Only authorized mechanical restraints listed in the
rule may be used.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM | Page 3 of 17
