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, which entity is responsible for the administration and
enforcement of the Act?
A. The Illinois State Police
B. The Secretary of State
C. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
D. The Office of the Attorney General
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
(IDFPR) oversees the licensing and regulation of private detectives under the Act.
2. What is the minimum age requirement for an individual to apply for a Private Detective
license in Illinois?
A. 21 years old
B. 25 years old
,C. 18 years old
D. 30 years old
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: An applicant for a private detective license must be at least 21
years of age, whereas a PERC card requires a minimum of 18 years of age.
3. An applicant for a private detective license must demonstrate how many years of
qualifying experience to sit for the exam?
A. 3 years out of the last 5 years
B. 1 year
C. 5 years out of the last 10 years
D. 2 years
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Act requires 3 years of experience within the 5 years
immediately preceding the application.
4. Which of the following is an acceptable substitute for the 3-year experience requirement
for a private detective license?
A. A high school diploma
B. A baccalaureate degree in law enforcement or a related field from an accredited college
C. Completion of a 40-hour firearm training course
, D. Current employment as a security guard for 10 years
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A baccalaureate degree in a related field can satisfy part of the
experience requirement (counting for 2 of the 3 required years).
5. What is the maximum fine that the Department may levy for a single violation of the Act?
A. $10,000
B. $5,000
C. $1,000
D. $25,000
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Department may impose a civil penalty not to exceed
$10,000 per violation.
6. In Illinois, a licensed private detective agency must maintain a minimum amount of liability
insurance. What is the required minimum amount?
A. $100,000
B. $500,000
C. $2,000,000
D. $1,000,000
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, which entity is responsible for the administration and
enforcement of the Act?
A. The Illinois State Police
B. The Secretary of State
C. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
D. The Office of the Attorney General
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
(IDFPR) oversees the licensing and regulation of private detectives under the Act.
2. What is the minimum age requirement for an individual to apply for a Private Detective
license in Illinois?
A. 21 years old
B. 25 years old
,C. 18 years old
D. 30 years old
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: An applicant for a private detective license must be at least 21
years of age, whereas a PERC card requires a minimum of 18 years of age.
3. An applicant for a private detective license must demonstrate how many years of
qualifying experience to sit for the exam?
A. 3 years out of the last 5 years
B. 1 year
C. 5 years out of the last 10 years
D. 2 years
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Act requires 3 years of experience within the 5 years
immediately preceding the application.
4. Which of the following is an acceptable substitute for the 3-year experience requirement
for a private detective license?
A. A high school diploma
B. A baccalaureate degree in law enforcement or a related field from an accredited college
C. Completion of a 40-hour firearm training course
, D. Current employment as a security guard for 10 years
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A baccalaureate degree in a related field can satisfy part of the
experience requirement (counting for 2 of the 3 required years).
5. What is the maximum fine that the Department may levy for a single violation of the Act?
A. $10,000
B. $5,000
C. $1,000
D. $25,000
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Department may impose a civil penalty not to exceed
$10,000 per violation.
6. In Illinois, a licensed private detective agency must maintain a minimum amount of liability
insurance. What is the required minimum amount?
A. $100,000
B. $500,000
C. $2,000,000
D. $1,000,000
