New York Private Investigator Exam, 2026 – Security and
Investigations Study and Review Material
How does a NY PI get a NYS DMV account? - correct answer ✔✔ Submit MV-15D
How many counties are there in NY? - correct answer ✔✔ 62
Minimum age required to obtain a NY license for PI, Guard Agency or Bail Enforcement: - correct
answer ✔✔ 25
What should you do if you (the PI) receive a report that a sexual harassment situation occurred
involving the employee of the PI? - correct answer ✔✔ Immediately investigate and take
corrective action
If a case is "Dismissed WITH Prejudice," this means... - correct answer ✔✔ A new case CANNOT
be filed. It is done forever--goodbye
If a case is "Dismissed WITHOUT Prejudice," then this means... - correct answer ✔✔ A new case
CAN be filed on this
What MALFEASANCE? - correct answer ✔✔ Wrongdoing or Misconduct...usually by a public
official. Violation of public trust by a public official
What is a "Bail Enforcement Agent?" - correct answer ✔✔ The business of enforcing the terms
and conditions of a person's release from custody on bail in a criminal proceeding, including
LOCATING, APPREHENDING and RETURNING any such person released on bail
Can a PI work a "Split Fee" arrangement with an attorney? - correct answer ✔✔ NO
,If a PI needs to talk to a person who is represented by an attorney, and the person is willing to
talk to the PI but the attorney is unavailable, should the PI talk with the person? - correct
answer ✔✔ NO
If a PI is investigating the scene of a fatal car accident a week after it happened, and the PI finds
some new evidence there, what should be done? - correct answer ✔✔ Photograph it before
touching it/moving it
Contact the client for instruction
If the client agrees, contact LE before moving evidence
In NY, polygraph is regulated by: - correct answer ✔✔ Federal
and that's only for employee testing.
NY doesn't license polygraph examiners.
There is no regulation of relationship testing by federal, state or anyone else.
If a PI is interviewing a group of witnesses and he believes that one or more are lying, what
should he do? - correct answer ✔✔ Conduct separate interviews.
If appropriate and if the client agrees, suggest polygraph tests.
What are the 4 things that employers should know about the Federal I-9 form (Employment
eligibility and identification verification)? - correct answer ✔✔ 1. Must NOT be kept in the
employee's personnel file
2. Must retain an I-9 for all current employees
3. Must retain an I-9 form for all ex-employees for whichever of these is longer (3 years after
hired or 1 year after employment ended)
4 Homeland Security can fine you for not following the rules about this document.
, What is an INTERIM REPORT? - correct answer ✔✔ An updating report to apprise the client of
compiled facts and activities up to the current moment as the investigation continues; it should
clearly state that this document is an UNFINISHED REPORT about an unfinished ongoing
investigation and is not the final report. It should only be released to the client or his/her
designate; know the risk that releasing this developing data now sometimes leads to a client
interfering with the investigation.
If you have a person's address but need their phone number, what are some methods to try? -
correct answer ✔✔ 1. Deliver or mail a note asking them to call you
2. Google the address
3. On-line databases
4. Do a Locate and ID on the person's name
5. Call 411 if you have a name
If you are following a vehicle and lose it in traffic, what should you do? - correct answer ✔✔ It is
generally suggested to go STRAIGHT ahead.
Then come back and check side streets
Experience Requirements to obtain NY license for BAIL ENFORCEMENT AGENT... - correct
answer ✔✔ Applicants must establish that they've been regularly employed, for a period of not
less than 3 years, performing such duties or providing such services as described as those
furnished by a bail enforcement agent, sheriff, police officer, state investigator, insurance
investigator, licensed PI or police officer for 20 years.
Some must also complete a 25 hour bail enforcement training that is approved by the SOS.
What does INDEMNIFY mean? - correct answer ✔✔ 1. To secure against hurt, loss, or damage
2. to make compensation to for incurred hurt, loss, or damage;
Investigations Study and Review Material
How does a NY PI get a NYS DMV account? - correct answer ✔✔ Submit MV-15D
How many counties are there in NY? - correct answer ✔✔ 62
Minimum age required to obtain a NY license for PI, Guard Agency or Bail Enforcement: - correct
answer ✔✔ 25
What should you do if you (the PI) receive a report that a sexual harassment situation occurred
involving the employee of the PI? - correct answer ✔✔ Immediately investigate and take
corrective action
If a case is "Dismissed WITH Prejudice," this means... - correct answer ✔✔ A new case CANNOT
be filed. It is done forever--goodbye
If a case is "Dismissed WITHOUT Prejudice," then this means... - correct answer ✔✔ A new case
CAN be filed on this
What MALFEASANCE? - correct answer ✔✔ Wrongdoing or Misconduct...usually by a public
official. Violation of public trust by a public official
What is a "Bail Enforcement Agent?" - correct answer ✔✔ The business of enforcing the terms
and conditions of a person's release from custody on bail in a criminal proceeding, including
LOCATING, APPREHENDING and RETURNING any such person released on bail
Can a PI work a "Split Fee" arrangement with an attorney? - correct answer ✔✔ NO
,If a PI needs to talk to a person who is represented by an attorney, and the person is willing to
talk to the PI but the attorney is unavailable, should the PI talk with the person? - correct
answer ✔✔ NO
If a PI is investigating the scene of a fatal car accident a week after it happened, and the PI finds
some new evidence there, what should be done? - correct answer ✔✔ Photograph it before
touching it/moving it
Contact the client for instruction
If the client agrees, contact LE before moving evidence
In NY, polygraph is regulated by: - correct answer ✔✔ Federal
and that's only for employee testing.
NY doesn't license polygraph examiners.
There is no regulation of relationship testing by federal, state or anyone else.
If a PI is interviewing a group of witnesses and he believes that one or more are lying, what
should he do? - correct answer ✔✔ Conduct separate interviews.
If appropriate and if the client agrees, suggest polygraph tests.
What are the 4 things that employers should know about the Federal I-9 form (Employment
eligibility and identification verification)? - correct answer ✔✔ 1. Must NOT be kept in the
employee's personnel file
2. Must retain an I-9 for all current employees
3. Must retain an I-9 form for all ex-employees for whichever of these is longer (3 years after
hired or 1 year after employment ended)
4 Homeland Security can fine you for not following the rules about this document.
, What is an INTERIM REPORT? - correct answer ✔✔ An updating report to apprise the client of
compiled facts and activities up to the current moment as the investigation continues; it should
clearly state that this document is an UNFINISHED REPORT about an unfinished ongoing
investigation and is not the final report. It should only be released to the client or his/her
designate; know the risk that releasing this developing data now sometimes leads to a client
interfering with the investigation.
If you have a person's address but need their phone number, what are some methods to try? -
correct answer ✔✔ 1. Deliver or mail a note asking them to call you
2. Google the address
3. On-line databases
4. Do a Locate and ID on the person's name
5. Call 411 if you have a name
If you are following a vehicle and lose it in traffic, what should you do? - correct answer ✔✔ It is
generally suggested to go STRAIGHT ahead.
Then come back and check side streets
Experience Requirements to obtain NY license for BAIL ENFORCEMENT AGENT... - correct
answer ✔✔ Applicants must establish that they've been regularly employed, for a period of not
less than 3 years, performing such duties or providing such services as described as those
furnished by a bail enforcement agent, sheriff, police officer, state investigator, insurance
investigator, licensed PI or police officer for 20 years.
Some must also complete a 25 hour bail enforcement training that is approved by the SOS.
What does INDEMNIFY mean? - correct answer ✔✔ 1. To secure against hurt, loss, or damage
2. to make compensation to for incurred hurt, loss, or damage;
