ILLINOIS PRIVATE DETECTIVE
LICENSING COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
1. Under the Illinois Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor,
and Locksmith Act of 2004, how many years of experience in the investigative field must an
applicant possess to qualify for a Private Detective license?
A. 3 years of experience out of the last 5 years
B. 2 years of experience out of the last 5 years
C. 1 year of experience out of the last 3 years
D. 5 years of experience out of the last 10 years
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Section 15-10 of the Act requires that an applicant for a private
detective license must have a minimum of 3 years of experience out of the 5 years
immediately preceding the application.
2. Which state agency is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Private
Detective Act in Illinois?
A. Illinois Department of Revenue
,B. Illinois State Police
C. Illinois Attorney General’s Office
D. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The IDFPR is the primary regulatory body that oversees the
licensing and discipline of private detectives in Illinois.
3. What is the minimum amount of general liability insurance required for a licensed Private
Detective Agency in Illinois?
A. $100,000
B. $500,000
C. $1,000,000
D. $2,000,000
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Section 15-25 requires every agency to maintain a minimum of
$1,000,000 in general liability insurance to protect the public.
4. A Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) issued to a private detective employee is
valid for how many years?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
, C. 5 years
D. 3 years
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PERC cards in Illinois are generally issued for a 3-year term and
must be renewed to remain valid for employment in the industry.
5. If a licensed Private Detective changes their home address, within how many days must
they notify the Department?
A. 10 days
B. 14 days
C. 60 days
D. 30 days
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Licensees are required to notify the IDFPR of any change in their
address of record within 30 days of the change.
6. Which of the following acts constitutes a Class 4 felony for a first offense under the Act?
A. Failing to carry a PERC card while on duty
B. Neglecting to display a license in the agency office
C. Practicing as a private detective without a valid license
LICENSING COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
1. Under the Illinois Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor,
and Locksmith Act of 2004, how many years of experience in the investigative field must an
applicant possess to qualify for a Private Detective license?
A. 3 years of experience out of the last 5 years
B. 2 years of experience out of the last 5 years
C. 1 year of experience out of the last 3 years
D. 5 years of experience out of the last 10 years
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Section 15-10 of the Act requires that an applicant for a private
detective license must have a minimum of 3 years of experience out of the 5 years
immediately preceding the application.
2. Which state agency is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Private
Detective Act in Illinois?
A. Illinois Department of Revenue
,B. Illinois State Police
C. Illinois Attorney General’s Office
D. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The IDFPR is the primary regulatory body that oversees the
licensing and discipline of private detectives in Illinois.
3. What is the minimum amount of general liability insurance required for a licensed Private
Detective Agency in Illinois?
A. $100,000
B. $500,000
C. $1,000,000
D. $2,000,000
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Section 15-25 requires every agency to maintain a minimum of
$1,000,000 in general liability insurance to protect the public.
4. A Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) issued to a private detective employee is
valid for how many years?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
, C. 5 years
D. 3 years
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PERC cards in Illinois are generally issued for a 3-year term and
must be renewed to remain valid for employment in the industry.
5. If a licensed Private Detective changes their home address, within how many days must
they notify the Department?
A. 10 days
B. 14 days
C. 60 days
D. 30 days
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Licensees are required to notify the IDFPR of any change in their
address of record within 30 days of the change.
6. Which of the following acts constitutes a Class 4 felony for a first offense under the Act?
A. Failing to carry a PERC card while on duty
B. Neglecting to display a license in the agency office
C. Practicing as a private detective without a valid license
