TEXAS DPS PRIVATE SECURITY BUREAU
QUALIFIED MANAGER EXAM 2026–2027
STUDY GUIDE | UPDATED PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, VERIFIED ANSWERS, DETAILED
RATIONALES & TEXAS SECURITY
MANAGEMENT EXAM PREP
• This practice guide contains 200 exam-style questions with verified answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to help you master every topic tested on the Texas
DPS Private Security Bureau Qualified Manager Exam.
• Study each question carefully, review the EXPERT RATIONALE for every correct
answer, and use this guide repeatedly until you can answer confidently without
hesitation.
1. Which state agency regulates the private security industry in Texas?
A. Texas Attorney General's Office
B. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
C. Texas Department of Public Safety
D. Texas Private Security Board
E. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
C. Texas Department of Public Safety
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), through its
Private Security Bureau, is the regulatory authority responsible for licensing and
overseeing the private security industry in Texas under the Texas Occupations
Code, Chapter 1702.
2. Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702, which of the following must
hold a license issued by the DPS?
A. A retired law enforcement officer working as a school resource volunteer
,B. A company providing guard dog services for compensation
C. A homeowner who monitors their own property
D. A city employee providing traffic control at a public event
E. A federal contractor working on a military installation
B. A company providing guard dog services for compensation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Chapter 1702 requires that any person or company that
provides security services — including guard dog services — for compensation
must hold a valid license issued by the Texas DPS Private Security Bureau.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a security officer
commission in Texas?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
E. 25 years old
C. 18 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Texas law requires that an applicant for a security officer
commission must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application, as specified
under the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702.
4. A Qualified Manager is best described as:
A. A licensed security officer with five or more years of field experience
B. The individual designated by a license holder who is responsible for managing
the operations of the licensed company
C. A DPS-appointed supervisor assigned to oversee security companies
,D. Any security officer who has passed the Level III training course
E. A branch manager with authority over multiple security sites
B. The individual designated by a license holder who is responsible for
managing the operations of the licensed company
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under Texas law, a Qualified Manager is the person named by
a security company license holder who assumes managerial responsibility for the
day-to-day operations of the licensed entity and ensures compliance with Chapter
1702.
5. How many hours of pre-assignment training are required for a non-
commissioned security officer in Texas?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 10 hours
E. 16 hours
B. 6 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Non-commissioned security officers in Texas are required to
complete a minimum of 6 hours of pre-assignment training before they begin
working, covering topics such as legal issues, emergency procedures, and
professional conduct.
6. Which of the following is a requirement for obtaining a Texas private
security company license?
A. Applicant must be a former peace officer
B. Applicant must designate a Qualified Manager
C. Applicant must have a minimum of 10 full-time employees
, D. Applicant must submit a federal background check waiver
E. Applicant must be incorporated as a public company
B. Applicant must designate a Qualified Manager
EXPERT RATIONALE: One of the statutory requirements for obtaining a private
security company license in Texas is the designation of a Qualified Manager, who is
responsible for ensuring that the company's operations comply with Chapter 1702
and DPS rules.
7. Which of the following offenses would automatically disqualify an applicant
from receiving a security officer commission in Texas?
A. A minor traffic violation from 10 years ago
B. A Class C misdemeanor for littering
C. A felony conviction
D. A dismissed misdemeanor charge
E. A juvenile record sealed by court order
C. A felony conviction
EXPERT RATIONALE: Texas law disqualifies any applicant who has been convicted
of a felony from receiving a security officer commission. A felony conviction reflects
a level of criminal history that disqualifies an individual from exercising the
authority granted by a commission.
8. A commissioned security officer in Texas is authorized to:
A. Make felony arrests anywhere in the state
B. Carry a firearm and detain persons on the employer's premises under specific
legal authority
C. Issue traffic citations on private property
QUALIFIED MANAGER EXAM 2026–2027
STUDY GUIDE | UPDATED PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, VERIFIED ANSWERS, DETAILED
RATIONALES & TEXAS SECURITY
MANAGEMENT EXAM PREP
• This practice guide contains 200 exam-style questions with verified answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to help you master every topic tested on the Texas
DPS Private Security Bureau Qualified Manager Exam.
• Study each question carefully, review the EXPERT RATIONALE for every correct
answer, and use this guide repeatedly until you can answer confidently without
hesitation.
1. Which state agency regulates the private security industry in Texas?
A. Texas Attorney General's Office
B. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
C. Texas Department of Public Safety
D. Texas Private Security Board
E. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
C. Texas Department of Public Safety
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), through its
Private Security Bureau, is the regulatory authority responsible for licensing and
overseeing the private security industry in Texas under the Texas Occupations
Code, Chapter 1702.
2. Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702, which of the following must
hold a license issued by the DPS?
A. A retired law enforcement officer working as a school resource volunteer
,B. A company providing guard dog services for compensation
C. A homeowner who monitors their own property
D. A city employee providing traffic control at a public event
E. A federal contractor working on a military installation
B. A company providing guard dog services for compensation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Chapter 1702 requires that any person or company that
provides security services — including guard dog services — for compensation
must hold a valid license issued by the Texas DPS Private Security Bureau.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a security officer
commission in Texas?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
E. 25 years old
C. 18 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Texas law requires that an applicant for a security officer
commission must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application, as specified
under the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702.
4. A Qualified Manager is best described as:
A. A licensed security officer with five or more years of field experience
B. The individual designated by a license holder who is responsible for managing
the operations of the licensed company
C. A DPS-appointed supervisor assigned to oversee security companies
,D. Any security officer who has passed the Level III training course
E. A branch manager with authority over multiple security sites
B. The individual designated by a license holder who is responsible for
managing the operations of the licensed company
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under Texas law, a Qualified Manager is the person named by
a security company license holder who assumes managerial responsibility for the
day-to-day operations of the licensed entity and ensures compliance with Chapter
1702.
5. How many hours of pre-assignment training are required for a non-
commissioned security officer in Texas?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 10 hours
E. 16 hours
B. 6 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Non-commissioned security officers in Texas are required to
complete a minimum of 6 hours of pre-assignment training before they begin
working, covering topics such as legal issues, emergency procedures, and
professional conduct.
6. Which of the following is a requirement for obtaining a Texas private
security company license?
A. Applicant must be a former peace officer
B. Applicant must designate a Qualified Manager
C. Applicant must have a minimum of 10 full-time employees
, D. Applicant must submit a federal background check waiver
E. Applicant must be incorporated as a public company
B. Applicant must designate a Qualified Manager
EXPERT RATIONALE: One of the statutory requirements for obtaining a private
security company license in Texas is the designation of a Qualified Manager, who is
responsible for ensuring that the company's operations comply with Chapter 1702
and DPS rules.
7. Which of the following offenses would automatically disqualify an applicant
from receiving a security officer commission in Texas?
A. A minor traffic violation from 10 years ago
B. A Class C misdemeanor for littering
C. A felony conviction
D. A dismissed misdemeanor charge
E. A juvenile record sealed by court order
C. A felony conviction
EXPERT RATIONALE: Texas law disqualifies any applicant who has been convicted
of a felony from receiving a security officer commission. A felony conviction reflects
a level of criminal history that disqualifies an individual from exercising the
authority granted by a commission.
8. A commissioned security officer in Texas is authorized to:
A. Make felony arrests anywhere in the state
B. Carry a firearm and detain persons on the employer's premises under specific
legal authority
C. Issue traffic citations on private property
