PRIVATE PATROL OPERATOR
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
VERSION 2026-2027
Who, at BSIS, 'shall administer and enforce the rules'? - ,,,,answer,,..The
Director of Consumer Affairs
What is an "FQ Card'? - ,,,,answer,,..Firearms Qualification Card; exposed
weapon carry
If a person without a PPO license offers security or protection services to
the public, What type of crime has been committed? - ,,,,answer,,..A
misdemeanor violation of the B&P Code
What is the dollar fine for a misdemeanor violation of offering PPO
services without a PPO license? - ,,,,answer,,..$10,000
When, If ever, may a person licensed only as a PPO make an
investigation? - ,,,,answer,,..If incidental to the theft, loss, embezzlement,
misappropriation, concealment of any property which he or she has been
hired or engaged to watch to protect
What agencies other than BSIS are involved in regulating armored car
companies? - ,,,,answer,,..California Highway Patrol and Public Utilities
,What do the initials 'B.S.I.S.' stand for? - ,,,,answer,,..Bureau of Security
and Investigative Services
Carrying a gun concealed under a shirt is usually what type of a crime? -
,,,,answer,,..Misdemeanor
Carrying a set of 'brass knuckles' in your pocket is usually what type of
crime? - ,,,,answer,,..Felony
How much imprisonment might come from a misdemeanor conviction? -
,,,,answer,,..Up to a year imprisonment
How much imprisonment might come from a felony conviction? -
,,,,answer,,..One year or more imprisonment
If a person knowingly hires an unlicensed person to provide PPO services,
What punishment might that person receive? - ,,,,answer,,..For this
misdemeanor, a fine of $5000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year
When must a guard be paid time-and-a-half'? - ,,,,answer,,..One and one-
half times the employee's regular rate of pay for all hours worked in
excess of eight hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work in a
workweek
Can a PPO demand that his/her guard employee make an arrest? -
,,,,answer,,..No
What are some things that should be listed in a proposal to a client by a
PPO? - ,,,,answer,,..Cost per hour, any over-time charges, when payment
is due, duties of personnel, start and stop times, dates or days needed
What methods can a PPO use to monitor that a guard is on-duty at a site? -
,,,,answer,,..A supervisor checking up on the security officer
, unannounced and unscheduled is best; also monitoring traceable GPS on
company vehicle
Can the titles 'Security Guard' and 'Security Officer' be used
interchangeably? - ,,,,answer,,..Yes
A currently registered guard would like to apply for an FQ card, so he/she
can carry a firearm on duty per the PPO's need. However; he/she was he
was convicted 10 years ago of a misdemeanor. Will FQ card be issued? -
,,,,answer,,..May be approved, but if denied it may be successfully
appealed
When is a PPO 'Branch Office' required? - ,,,,answer,,..When advertising
for another location, or conducting business form, other then the PPO's
primary business location
Can a PPO pay his/her employees as 'independent contractors' with IRS
form 1099? - ,,,,answer,,..No, unless the employee is also a PPO and
services are contracted between PPOs
Within how many days of a PPO changing residence or business address
must the PPO notify BSIS? - ,,,,answer,,..30 Days
What is the fine if a PPO fails to notify BSIS within the required time after
changing address? - ,,,,answer,,..$25
Are guard required to wear a badge? - ,,,,answer,,..Yes if in uniform, no if
in plain-clothes
Can a PPO's marked patrol vehicle that has the company name visible on
three sides of the of the vehicle have a siren? - ,,,,answer,,..No
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
VERSION 2026-2027
Who, at BSIS, 'shall administer and enforce the rules'? - ,,,,answer,,..The
Director of Consumer Affairs
What is an "FQ Card'? - ,,,,answer,,..Firearms Qualification Card; exposed
weapon carry
If a person without a PPO license offers security or protection services to
the public, What type of crime has been committed? - ,,,,answer,,..A
misdemeanor violation of the B&P Code
What is the dollar fine for a misdemeanor violation of offering PPO
services without a PPO license? - ,,,,answer,,..$10,000
When, If ever, may a person licensed only as a PPO make an
investigation? - ,,,,answer,,..If incidental to the theft, loss, embezzlement,
misappropriation, concealment of any property which he or she has been
hired or engaged to watch to protect
What agencies other than BSIS are involved in regulating armored car
companies? - ,,,,answer,,..California Highway Patrol and Public Utilities
,What do the initials 'B.S.I.S.' stand for? - ,,,,answer,,..Bureau of Security
and Investigative Services
Carrying a gun concealed under a shirt is usually what type of a crime? -
,,,,answer,,..Misdemeanor
Carrying a set of 'brass knuckles' in your pocket is usually what type of
crime? - ,,,,answer,,..Felony
How much imprisonment might come from a misdemeanor conviction? -
,,,,answer,,..Up to a year imprisonment
How much imprisonment might come from a felony conviction? -
,,,,answer,,..One year or more imprisonment
If a person knowingly hires an unlicensed person to provide PPO services,
What punishment might that person receive? - ,,,,answer,,..For this
misdemeanor, a fine of $5000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year
When must a guard be paid time-and-a-half'? - ,,,,answer,,..One and one-
half times the employee's regular rate of pay for all hours worked in
excess of eight hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work in a
workweek
Can a PPO demand that his/her guard employee make an arrest? -
,,,,answer,,..No
What are some things that should be listed in a proposal to a client by a
PPO? - ,,,,answer,,..Cost per hour, any over-time charges, when payment
is due, duties of personnel, start and stop times, dates or days needed
What methods can a PPO use to monitor that a guard is on-duty at a site? -
,,,,answer,,..A supervisor checking up on the security officer
, unannounced and unscheduled is best; also monitoring traceable GPS on
company vehicle
Can the titles 'Security Guard' and 'Security Officer' be used
interchangeably? - ,,,,answer,,..Yes
A currently registered guard would like to apply for an FQ card, so he/she
can carry a firearm on duty per the PPO's need. However; he/she was he
was convicted 10 years ago of a misdemeanor. Will FQ card be issued? -
,,,,answer,,..May be approved, but if denied it may be successfully
appealed
When is a PPO 'Branch Office' required? - ,,,,answer,,..When advertising
for another location, or conducting business form, other then the PPO's
primary business location
Can a PPO pay his/her employees as 'independent contractors' with IRS
form 1099? - ,,,,answer,,..No, unless the employee is also a PPO and
services are contracted between PPOs
Within how many days of a PPO changing residence or business address
must the PPO notify BSIS? - ,,,,answer,,..30 Days
What is the fine if a PPO fails to notify BSIS within the required time after
changing address? - ,,,,answer,,..$25
Are guard required to wear a badge? - ,,,,answer,,..Yes if in uniform, no if
in plain-clothes
Can a PPO's marked patrol vehicle that has the company name visible on
three sides of the of the vehicle have a siren? - ,,,,answer,,..No
