California Private Investigator Exam Practice
Questions with Detailed Rationales latest 2026
Latest version Q&A |INSTANT DOWNLOAD
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1. Which of the following is required to obtain a private investigator
license in California?
A. Must be at least 18 years old
B. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
C. Must pass a criminal background check
D. Must have 3 years of investigative experience
Correct answer: A, C, D — Applicants must be at least 18, pass a
criminal background check, and have three years of investigative
experience, either as a PI or in law enforcement.
2. Which act regulates private investigators in California?
A. California Penal Code
B. Business and Professions Code, Bureau of Security and Investigative
Services (BSIS)
C. California Labor Code
D. Federal Trade Commission Act
Correct answer: B — The Business and Professions Code under BSIS
governs PI licensing and regulation.
3. Which of the following activities requires a PI license in California?
A. Investigating fraud for an insurance company
B. Providing surveillance for a client
C. Personal background checks for a friend
D. Collecting public records for research
,Correct answer: A, B — Investigating fraud and surveillance require a PI
license. Personal or research tasks without compensation may not
require a license.
4. Which of the following is true regarding a PI’s firearm use in
California?
A. All PIs are automatically authorized to carry firearms
B. Firearms require a separate security license
C. Firearms may be used in investigations if licensed
D. California does not regulate PI firearms
Correct answer: B, C — PIs must have a separate armed license to carry
firearms, and their use must comply with state law.
5. What is the maximum term of a PI license issued in California?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Correct answer: B — California PI licenses are issued for 2 years.
6. Which of the following is considered unprofessional conduct for a
PI?
A. Accepting cases outside of expertise
B. Falsifying reports
C. Following legal procedures for surveillance
D. Maintaining client confidentiality
Correct answer: A, B — Accepting cases beyond expertise and falsifying
reports are unprofessional conduct; proper legal procedures and
confidentiality are required.
7. In California, a PI must maintain what type of records?
A. Surveillance reports
B. Client contracts
, C. Criminal background check results
D. Evidence documentation
Correct answer: A, B, D — Proper recordkeeping includes surveillance
logs, contracts, and evidence documentation for accountability.
8. Which of the following actions can result in license suspension or
revocation?
A. Misrepresentation to a client
B. Criminal conviction involving moral turpitude
C. Working without proper training
D. Filing reports late
Correct answer: A, B — Misrepresentation and criminal convictions can
result in suspension or revocation; working without training is handled
during application, and late reports usually do not lead to revocation.
9. California law requires a PI to obtain written authorization from
whom before conducting certain investigations?
A. Client
B. Suspect
C. Law enforcement
D. Court
Correct answer: A — Written client authorization is mandatory for many
types of investigations.
10. Which of the following is allowed under California PI law regarding
electronic surveillance?
A. Recording a private conversation without consent in public
B. Using a hidden camera in a private home without consent
C. Recording conversations in public areas
D. Wiretapping a phone without court approval
Correct answer: C — Recording in public where there is no expectation
Questions with Detailed Rationales latest 2026
Latest version Q&A |INSTANT DOWNLOAD
1. Which of the following is required to obtain a private investigator
license in California?
A. Must be at least 18 years old
B. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
C. Must pass a criminal background check
D. Must have 3 years of investigative experience
Correct answer: A, C, D — Applicants must be at least 18, pass a
criminal background check, and have three years of investigative
experience, either as a PI or in law enforcement.
2. Which act regulates private investigators in California?
A. California Penal Code
B. Business and Professions Code, Bureau of Security and Investigative
Services (BSIS)
C. California Labor Code
D. Federal Trade Commission Act
Correct answer: B — The Business and Professions Code under BSIS
governs PI licensing and regulation.
3. Which of the following activities requires a PI license in California?
A. Investigating fraud for an insurance company
B. Providing surveillance for a client
C. Personal background checks for a friend
D. Collecting public records for research
,Correct answer: A, B — Investigating fraud and surveillance require a PI
license. Personal or research tasks without compensation may not
require a license.
4. Which of the following is true regarding a PI’s firearm use in
California?
A. All PIs are automatically authorized to carry firearms
B. Firearms require a separate security license
C. Firearms may be used in investigations if licensed
D. California does not regulate PI firearms
Correct answer: B, C — PIs must have a separate armed license to carry
firearms, and their use must comply with state law.
5. What is the maximum term of a PI license issued in California?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Correct answer: B — California PI licenses are issued for 2 years.
6. Which of the following is considered unprofessional conduct for a
PI?
A. Accepting cases outside of expertise
B. Falsifying reports
C. Following legal procedures for surveillance
D. Maintaining client confidentiality
Correct answer: A, B — Accepting cases beyond expertise and falsifying
reports are unprofessional conduct; proper legal procedures and
confidentiality are required.
7. In California, a PI must maintain what type of records?
A. Surveillance reports
B. Client contracts
, C. Criminal background check results
D. Evidence documentation
Correct answer: A, B, D — Proper recordkeeping includes surveillance
logs, contracts, and evidence documentation for accountability.
8. Which of the following actions can result in license suspension or
revocation?
A. Misrepresentation to a client
B. Criminal conviction involving moral turpitude
C. Working without proper training
D. Filing reports late
Correct answer: A, B — Misrepresentation and criminal convictions can
result in suspension or revocation; working without training is handled
during application, and late reports usually do not lead to revocation.
9. California law requires a PI to obtain written authorization from
whom before conducting certain investigations?
A. Client
B. Suspect
C. Law enforcement
D. Court
Correct answer: A — Written client authorization is mandatory for many
types of investigations.
10. Which of the following is allowed under California PI law regarding
electronic surveillance?
A. Recording a private conversation without consent in public
B. Using a hidden camera in a private home without consent
C. Recording conversations in public areas
D. Wiretapping a phone without court approval
Correct answer: C — Recording in public where there is no expectation
