BSIS Firearm Written Exam – Test Bank – 2025/2026 |
Questions and Answers for Certification | California Exposed
Firearm Permit
QUESTION 1:
What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a California BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit?
A. 18 years old
B. 19 years old
C. 20 years old
D. 21 years old
CORRECT ANSWER: >D<
RATIONALE: California law requires firearm permit applicants to be at least 21 years of age to
ensure legal eligibility under state and federal firearm possession statutes.
QUESTION 2:
Which agency issues the California Exposed Firearm Permit?
A. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
B. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
C. California Highway Patrol
D. Department of Justice
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: The BSIS, under the California Department of Consumer Affairs, regulates and issues
firearm permits for licensed security professions.
QUESTION 3:
What must accompany a firearm permit application to BSIS?
A. Proof of liability insurance
B. Certificate of completion from a BSIS-certified firearm training instructor
,C. Firearm sales receipt
D. Copy of driver’s license only
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Applicants must submit proof of completion of a BSIS-approved firearms training
course to demonstrate competency and compliance.
QUESTION 4:
What is the maximum legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for an armed security officer
while on duty?
A. 0.00%
B. 0.05%
C. 0.08%
D. 0.10%
CORRECT ANSWER: >A<
RATIONALE: Armed officers must have absolutely zero alcohol or drugs in their system while
carrying a firearm on duty.
QUESTION 5:
The primary rule of firearm safety is to:
A. Keep the firearm unloaded at all times
B. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
C. Only handle firearms in secure locations
D. Keep the safety on when firing
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Treating all guns as loaded prevents careless handling and reinforces a permanent
safety mindset.
QUESTION 6:
A security officer’s Exposed Firearm Permit authorizes carrying:
A. Any type of firearm at any location
,B. Only registered and caliber-listed firearms while on duty for licensed employers
C. Concealed firearms in public areas
D. Rifles for property surveillance
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Permits are job-specific; only approved firearms of recorded calibers may be carried
during lawful security employment.
QUESTION 7:
What is the purpose of the Firearms Qualification Card (FQ Card)?
A. Proof of authority to buy new firearms
B. Certifies the officer’s proficiency and legal authorization to carry while on duty
C. Job attendance tracking
D. License for CCW
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: The card demonstrates the individual’s completion of mandatory firearm
qualification and current eligibility to carry.
QUESTION 8:
When may a security officer draw their firearm?
A. When feeling uncomfortable in any setting
B. Only when there is an immediate and lawful threat to life or great bodily injury
C. When a suspect refuses to cooperate
D. For property inspection
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Deadly force or firearm presentation is authorized only when proportional and
necessary to defend human life.
QUESTION 9:
Which of the following best describes “deadly force”?
A. Any physical force used to detain a suspect
, B. Force likely to cause death or great bodily harm
C. Verbal threat of force
D. Use of non-lethal weapons
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Deadly force exceeds normal restraint, creating a substantial risk of death or major
injury.
QUESTION 10:
Which government agency conducts the Live Scan background check for firearm permit
applicants?
A. Department of Homeland Security
B. California Department of Justice (DOJ)
C. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
D. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: The California DOJ performs Live Scan background checks to ensure applicants meet
state eligibility requirements.
QUESTION 11:
What must be included on a firearm during qualification testing?
A. Weapon’s serial number
B. Laser sighting device
C. Manufacturer’s warranty
D. Optical magnifier
CORRECT ANSWER: >A<
RATIONALE: Every qualified weapon is logged by serial number to ensure exact tracking on
permit records.
QUESTION 12:
Questions and Answers for Certification | California Exposed
Firearm Permit
QUESTION 1:
What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a California BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit?
A. 18 years old
B. 19 years old
C. 20 years old
D. 21 years old
CORRECT ANSWER: >D<
RATIONALE: California law requires firearm permit applicants to be at least 21 years of age to
ensure legal eligibility under state and federal firearm possession statutes.
QUESTION 2:
Which agency issues the California Exposed Firearm Permit?
A. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
B. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
C. California Highway Patrol
D. Department of Justice
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: The BSIS, under the California Department of Consumer Affairs, regulates and issues
firearm permits for licensed security professions.
QUESTION 3:
What must accompany a firearm permit application to BSIS?
A. Proof of liability insurance
B. Certificate of completion from a BSIS-certified firearm training instructor
,C. Firearm sales receipt
D. Copy of driver’s license only
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Applicants must submit proof of completion of a BSIS-approved firearms training
course to demonstrate competency and compliance.
QUESTION 4:
What is the maximum legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for an armed security officer
while on duty?
A. 0.00%
B. 0.05%
C. 0.08%
D. 0.10%
CORRECT ANSWER: >A<
RATIONALE: Armed officers must have absolutely zero alcohol or drugs in their system while
carrying a firearm on duty.
QUESTION 5:
The primary rule of firearm safety is to:
A. Keep the firearm unloaded at all times
B. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
C. Only handle firearms in secure locations
D. Keep the safety on when firing
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Treating all guns as loaded prevents careless handling and reinforces a permanent
safety mindset.
QUESTION 6:
A security officer’s Exposed Firearm Permit authorizes carrying:
A. Any type of firearm at any location
,B. Only registered and caliber-listed firearms while on duty for licensed employers
C. Concealed firearms in public areas
D. Rifles for property surveillance
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Permits are job-specific; only approved firearms of recorded calibers may be carried
during lawful security employment.
QUESTION 7:
What is the purpose of the Firearms Qualification Card (FQ Card)?
A. Proof of authority to buy new firearms
B. Certifies the officer’s proficiency and legal authorization to carry while on duty
C. Job attendance tracking
D. License for CCW
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: The card demonstrates the individual’s completion of mandatory firearm
qualification and current eligibility to carry.
QUESTION 8:
When may a security officer draw their firearm?
A. When feeling uncomfortable in any setting
B. Only when there is an immediate and lawful threat to life or great bodily injury
C. When a suspect refuses to cooperate
D. For property inspection
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Deadly force or firearm presentation is authorized only when proportional and
necessary to defend human life.
QUESTION 9:
Which of the following best describes “deadly force”?
A. Any physical force used to detain a suspect
, B. Force likely to cause death or great bodily harm
C. Verbal threat of force
D. Use of non-lethal weapons
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: Deadly force exceeds normal restraint, creating a substantial risk of death or major
injury.
QUESTION 10:
Which government agency conducts the Live Scan background check for firearm permit
applicants?
A. Department of Homeland Security
B. California Department of Justice (DOJ)
C. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
D. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
CORRECT ANSWER: >B<
RATIONALE: The California DOJ performs Live Scan background checks to ensure applicants meet
state eligibility requirements.
QUESTION 11:
What must be included on a firearm during qualification testing?
A. Weapon’s serial number
B. Laser sighting device
C. Manufacturer’s warranty
D. Optical magnifier
CORRECT ANSWER: >A<
RATIONALE: Every qualified weapon is logged by serial number to ensure exact tracking on
permit records.
QUESTION 12:
