ILLINOIS PRIVATE DETECTIVE
LICENSING PRACTICE 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, which of the following is a requirement for a Private Detective
license applicant?
A. Must have a minimum of 3 years of experience out of the last 5 years working full-time
for a licensed private detective agency.
B. Must have been a licensed Private Alarm Contractor for 3 years.
C. Must be at least 18 years of age.
D. Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice regardless of experience.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Section 15-10 of the Act requires an applicant to have at least 3
years of experience out of the 5 years immediately preceding the application, performing
functions defined as private detective services.
2. An agency licensee must maintain a separate roster of all employees. How long must these
employee records be kept after the employee leaves the agency?
A. 1 year
,B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Administrative rules under the Act generally require that
records, including employee files and investigative reports, be maintained for a minimum
of 5 years.
3. What is the minimum liability insurance requirement for a licensed Private Detective
Agency in Illinois?
A. $100,000
B. $1,000,000
C. $500,000
D. $2,000,000
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Act requires agencies to maintain a minimum of $1,000,000
in general liability insurance to cover potential damages or injuries resulting from their
operations.
, 4. A Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) is required for all employees of a private
detective agency. Which of the following is a ground for the Department to refuse a PERC?
A. The applicant has no prior law enforcement experience.
B. The applicant is under the age of 25.
C. The applicant has been convicted of a felony within the last 10 years.
D. The applicant does not own a firearm.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: IDFPR may refuse to issue a PERC if the applicant has been
convicted of a felony within 10 years, though they evaluate rehabilitation on a case-by-case
basis.
5. If a licensee changes their primary office location, within how many days must they notify
the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)?
A. 14 days
B. 7 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Act specifies that a licensee must notify the Department in
writing of any change of address within 14 days of such change.
LICENSING PRACTICE 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, which of the following is a requirement for a Private Detective
license applicant?
A. Must have a minimum of 3 years of experience out of the last 5 years working full-time
for a licensed private detective agency.
B. Must have been a licensed Private Alarm Contractor for 3 years.
C. Must be at least 18 years of age.
D. Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice regardless of experience.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Section 15-10 of the Act requires an applicant to have at least 3
years of experience out of the 5 years immediately preceding the application, performing
functions defined as private detective services.
2. An agency licensee must maintain a separate roster of all employees. How long must these
employee records be kept after the employee leaves the agency?
A. 1 year
,B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Administrative rules under the Act generally require that
records, including employee files and investigative reports, be maintained for a minimum
of 5 years.
3. What is the minimum liability insurance requirement for a licensed Private Detective
Agency in Illinois?
A. $100,000
B. $1,000,000
C. $500,000
D. $2,000,000
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Act requires agencies to maintain a minimum of $1,000,000
in general liability insurance to cover potential damages or injuries resulting from their
operations.
, 4. A Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) is required for all employees of a private
detective agency. Which of the following is a ground for the Department to refuse a PERC?
A. The applicant has no prior law enforcement experience.
B. The applicant is under the age of 25.
C. The applicant has been convicted of a felony within the last 10 years.
D. The applicant does not own a firearm.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: IDFPR may refuse to issue a PERC if the applicant has been
convicted of a felony within 10 years, though they evaluate rehabilitation on a case-by-case
basis.
5. If a licensee changes their primary office location, within how many days must they notify
the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)?
A. 14 days
B. 7 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Act specifies that a licensee must notify the Department in
writing of any change of address within 14 days of such change.
