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California Private Investigator Exam 2025 — Study
Guide, Practice Test Questions, Licensing
Requirements & Test Preparation Tips
Prepare for the California Private Investigator Exam 2025 with the latest study guide,
practice test questions, and updated PI licensing requirements. Learn how to qualify, apply,
and pass the California PI exam on your first attempt.
• California Private Investigator Exam 2025
• California PI exam study guide
• California private investigator license requirements
• CA PI practice test questions
When you interview a client pursuant to the attorney you work for; is this covered under the attorney
client privilege? True or false - ANSWER-True -as long as the investigator is acting as an "agent" of the
attorney
What law prevents hospitals or other medical providers from disclosing medical records to private
investigators? - ANSWER-HIPAA- health insurance, portability and accountability act
Could you install a hidden surveillance camera if your client's father was possibly being neglected in a
senior assisted living home? - ANSWER-Yes
As a private investigator, you use binoculars to keep continued observation of a subject who is on a
public beach wearing a swimsuit. This is considered to be an invasion of privacy.: True or false? -
ANSWER-False. People who walk around on a public beach have no expectation of privacy, even if they
are wearing almost nothing.
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How many days can a PI work in California from another state? - ANSWER-60 days: the BSIS Director
allows it and the case originated where the PI is licensed.
If delivery of mail to the primary place of business is unavailable, a private investigator can list a PO Box
as the primary address. True or false - ANSWER-True. A PI may use a PO Box if they do not have a
business address or any address other than their home residence.
A private investigator who tries to get work directly from accident victims is said to engage in: - ANSWER-
An unlawful act known as ambulance chasing
As a PI can you serve a summons inside of a gated community? What happens when the gate guard does
not allow you to enter, what should you do? - ANSWER-Serve the gate guard, per California, civil code
415.20.
Where would you go if someone has a business in the city of Fresno or San Diego and you need
information on their fictitious business statement? - ANSWER-County Recorder.
Private Investigator needs to serve a summons on the subject. Each time the subject refuses to appear at
the door. On the fourth attempt, the subject's older brother answers. What is the best thing to do? -
ANSWER-Give this summons to the older brother for him to give to the subject
As a private investigator If you need to serve a summons in a gated community, can you climb the fence
in order to locate the subjects residence and serve him? - ANSWER-Yes
A public employer can compel it's applicant and employees to submit to a polygraph exam. True or false
- ANSWER-False. Only in limited circumstances, employers can ask their employees to submit to a
polygraph; but as a general rule employers cannot compel their employees.
Criminal and civil courts will allow polygraph evidence to be submitted into evidence of the case, if it
involves a capital offense - ANSWER-False. Civil Courts will allow polygraph evidence; criminal courts do
not without a defendant's consent.
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Would Hipnosis be admissible in court as a form of evidence? - ANSWER-Yes, when the witness was able
to recollect the events, there is documentation of this recollection, and the witness was hypnotized prior
to trial
Can someone's arrest record be discovered through a public records request (such as full name, charges,
location of arrest, date of birth, charges, factual circumstances surrounding the arrest)? - ANSWER-Yes,
unless the disclosure would jeopardize the safety of a witness or other person involved in the
investigation, or unless disclosure would procure dangers of unsuccessful completion of the investigation
or related investigation
Are personnel files available under the freedom of information act? - ANSWER-No, neither are: inner
agency memos; internal personnel rules & regulations ALL OFF LIMITS
Generally, what is recommended in order to place a tracker on a vehicle? - ANSWER-The permission
from all registered owners, per Penal Code 637.7.
Best position for a rolling vehicle surveillance in light traffic - ANSWER-Behind the subject vehicle to the
right
What direction is a subject in a rolling vehicle Surveillance most likely to go, if you lose sight of the
subject after a stoplight? - ANSWER-Right turns, based on the book. Higher possibility that the subject
took a right turn, if you lost sight of him or her.
During rolling surveillance, you lose sight of the target vehicle. What should you do? - ANSWER-Review
your notes and visit places frequented by the subject
When following a vehicle in highly congested traffic; how close should you be to the subject? - ANSWER-
Directly behind the subject
If you have to search a subject trashcan, what bodies of law should you pay attention to? - ANSWER-The
Penal Code and local or county ordinances surrounding this (don't break the law).
California Private Investigator Exam 2025 — Study
Guide, Practice Test Questions, Licensing
Requirements & Test Preparation Tips
Prepare for the California Private Investigator Exam 2025 with the latest study guide,
practice test questions, and updated PI licensing requirements. Learn how to qualify, apply,
and pass the California PI exam on your first attempt.
• California Private Investigator Exam 2025
• California PI exam study guide
• California private investigator license requirements
• CA PI practice test questions
When you interview a client pursuant to the attorney you work for; is this covered under the attorney
client privilege? True or false - ANSWER-True -as long as the investigator is acting as an "agent" of the
attorney
What law prevents hospitals or other medical providers from disclosing medical records to private
investigators? - ANSWER-HIPAA- health insurance, portability and accountability act
Could you install a hidden surveillance camera if your client's father was possibly being neglected in a
senior assisted living home? - ANSWER-Yes
As a private investigator, you use binoculars to keep continued observation of a subject who is on a
public beach wearing a swimsuit. This is considered to be an invasion of privacy.: True or false? -
ANSWER-False. People who walk around on a public beach have no expectation of privacy, even if they
are wearing almost nothing.
,2|Page
How many days can a PI work in California from another state? - ANSWER-60 days: the BSIS Director
allows it and the case originated where the PI is licensed.
If delivery of mail to the primary place of business is unavailable, a private investigator can list a PO Box
as the primary address. True or false - ANSWER-True. A PI may use a PO Box if they do not have a
business address or any address other than their home residence.
A private investigator who tries to get work directly from accident victims is said to engage in: - ANSWER-
An unlawful act known as ambulance chasing
As a PI can you serve a summons inside of a gated community? What happens when the gate guard does
not allow you to enter, what should you do? - ANSWER-Serve the gate guard, per California, civil code
415.20.
Where would you go if someone has a business in the city of Fresno or San Diego and you need
information on their fictitious business statement? - ANSWER-County Recorder.
Private Investigator needs to serve a summons on the subject. Each time the subject refuses to appear at
the door. On the fourth attempt, the subject's older brother answers. What is the best thing to do? -
ANSWER-Give this summons to the older brother for him to give to the subject
As a private investigator If you need to serve a summons in a gated community, can you climb the fence
in order to locate the subjects residence and serve him? - ANSWER-Yes
A public employer can compel it's applicant and employees to submit to a polygraph exam. True or false
- ANSWER-False. Only in limited circumstances, employers can ask their employees to submit to a
polygraph; but as a general rule employers cannot compel their employees.
Criminal and civil courts will allow polygraph evidence to be submitted into evidence of the case, if it
involves a capital offense - ANSWER-False. Civil Courts will allow polygraph evidence; criminal courts do
not without a defendant's consent.
, 3|Page
Would Hipnosis be admissible in court as a form of evidence? - ANSWER-Yes, when the witness was able
to recollect the events, there is documentation of this recollection, and the witness was hypnotized prior
to trial
Can someone's arrest record be discovered through a public records request (such as full name, charges,
location of arrest, date of birth, charges, factual circumstances surrounding the arrest)? - ANSWER-Yes,
unless the disclosure would jeopardize the safety of a witness or other person involved in the
investigation, or unless disclosure would procure dangers of unsuccessful completion of the investigation
or related investigation
Are personnel files available under the freedom of information act? - ANSWER-No, neither are: inner
agency memos; internal personnel rules & regulations ALL OFF LIMITS
Generally, what is recommended in order to place a tracker on a vehicle? - ANSWER-The permission
from all registered owners, per Penal Code 637.7.
Best position for a rolling vehicle surveillance in light traffic - ANSWER-Behind the subject vehicle to the
right
What direction is a subject in a rolling vehicle Surveillance most likely to go, if you lose sight of the
subject after a stoplight? - ANSWER-Right turns, based on the book. Higher possibility that the subject
took a right turn, if you lost sight of him or her.
During rolling surveillance, you lose sight of the target vehicle. What should you do? - ANSWER-Review
your notes and visit places frequented by the subject
When following a vehicle in highly congested traffic; how close should you be to the subject? - ANSWER-
Directly behind the subject
If you have to search a subject trashcan, what bodies of law should you pay attention to? - ANSWER-The
Penal Code and local or county ordinances surrounding this (don't break the law).
