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ILLINOIS PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTOR LICENSING
EXAM
Complete Study Guide (150+ Questions)
Multiple Choice with Answers & Rationales
Based on 225 ILCS 447 and 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Illinois Private Security Contractor licensing exam is administered by
the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
The license allows individuals to contract security services to third
parties, including traditional guarding, alarm response, and other
security functions.
Key Regulations:
- Primary statute: 225 ILCS 447 (Private Detective, Private Alarm,
Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004)
- Administrative rules: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240
- Administered by: IDFPR
- Passing score: 95 % or higher
SECTION 1: Statutory Authority & IDFPR (Questions 1-25)
1. The Illinois Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security,
Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 is codified as:
A) 720 ILCS 5
B) 225 ILCS 447
C) 20 ILCS 2605
D) 430 ILCS 65
Answer: B) 225 ILCS 447
Rationale: This is the primary licensing statute for security contractors
in Illinois. All other options refer to different Illinois statutes (Criminal
Code, Department of State Police Law, and Firearm Owners
Identification Card Act respectively).
2. Who appoints the Director of the Illinois Department of Financial
and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)?
A) Illinois State Police Superintendent
B) Attorney General
C) Governor
D) Legislature
Answer: C) Governor
Rationale: The Director of IDFPR serves at the pleasure of the Governor
of Illinois, who appoints the position.
3. A Private Security Contractor license is REQUIRED for:
A) An individual working as a security guard
B) A business that contracts security services to third parties for
compensation
Answer: C) 3 years
Rationale: A successful examination score shall be valid for 3 years.
After 3 years, the examination score will be void and the applicant must
file a new application and sit for the exam again.
6. What is the minimum age requirement for a Private Security
Contractor license applicant?
A) 18 years
B) 19 years
C) 21 years
D) 25 years
Answer: C) 21 years
Rationale: 225 ILCS 447/25-10(a)(1) requires applicants for licensure as
a private security contractor to be at least 21 years of age.
7. What is the minimum general liability insurance coverage required
for a security contractor?
A) 500
C) 1
Answer: C) $1,000,
Rationale: Under 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.200(d)(2), applicants must
provide proof of at least $1,000,000 of general liability insurance.
8. The "qualifying party" (licensee-in-charge) for a security contractor
agency is defined as:
A) The CEO of the agency
B) The licensed individual responsible for compliance with the Act
C) Any armed guard
D) The client's representative
Answer: B) The licensed individual responsible for compliance
Rationale: The qualifying party (licensee-in-charge) is the licensed
individual who ensures the agency follows the Act. An agency cannot
operate without a qualifying party.
9. How often must a Private Security Contractor license be renewed?
A) Every year
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Answer: B) Every 2 years
Rationale: Private Security Contractor licenses are renewed biennially
(every 2 years).
10. A felony conviction involving dishonesty (e.g., perjury, fraud)
results in:
A) 5-year waiting period
B) 10-year waiting period
Rationale: 225 ILCS 447/25-10(a)(3) explicitly states that "Good moral
character is a continuing requirement of licensure." Conviction of
crimes while licensed can result in revocation.
13. IDFPR may impose a fine of up to how much per violation?
A) 1
C) 10
Answer: D) $25,
Rationale: Under the Act, IDFPR may fine a licensee up to $25,000 per
violation of the Act or rules.
14. Change of address must be reported to IDFPR within how many
days?
A) 10 days
B) 14 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days
Answer: B) 14 days
Rationale: Under 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.300, any change in home or
office address must be reported within 14 days.
15. A temporary license (temporary certificate of authority) is valid for
how long?
A) 30 days
B) 60 days
C) 90 days
D) 6 months
Answer: C) 90 days
Rationale: Under 225 ILCS 447/25-15(b), a temporary certificate of
authority (issued after loss of a licensee-in-charge) is valid for 90 days,
with possible extensions.
16. Fingerprints for background checks are submitted to which
agencies?
A) IDFPR only
B) ISP and FBI
C) Local police only
D) County sheriff
Answer: B) ISP and FBI
Rationale: Fingerprints are submitted to the Illinois State Police (ISP)
and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for both state and national
criminal history record checks.
17. A license expired less than 60 days can be renewed by:
A) Paying regular fee only
B) Paying regular fee plus late penalty
C) Not renewable
D) Retaking exam only
A) On each uniform worn by guards
B) At the principal place of business
C) In every vehicle
D) On the company website
Answer: B) At the principal place of business
Rationale: Under 225 ILCS 447/35-5, each licensee shall prominently
display the licensee's individual, agency, or branch office license at each
place where business is being conducted.
21. Who can serve as the qualifying party (licensee-in-charge) for an
agency?
A) Any employee of the agency
B) Only the owner of the agency
C) A licensed person with 3+ years experience
D) Any PERC holder
Answer: C) A licensed person with 3+ years experience
Rationale: The qualifying party must meet the experience requirements
under Section 25-10, which includes 3 years of qualifying full-time
supervisory experience.
22. A branch office license is required for:
A) Any second physical location
B) A home office
C) A client site
D) A post office box
Answer: A) Any second physical location
Rationale: Each separate office location (other than the principal place
of business) requires its own branch office license.
23. All advertisements for security services must include:
A) The agency's physical address
B) The agency's license number
C) The names of all employees
D) The agency's fee schedule
Answer: B) The agency's license number
Rationale: Under 225 ILCS 447/35-15, no licensee may knowingly
advertise services without including the licensee's license number in
the advertisement.
24. Knowingly failing to display the license number in an
advertisement or providing a false license number is:
A) A civil violation only
B) A Class A misdemeanor
C) A business offense
D) Not a violation
Answer: B) A Class A misdemeanor
Rationale: 225 ILCS 447/35-15(b) states that a licensee who violates
these advertising provisions is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Each day
an advertisement is published constitutes a separate offense.
27. The agency has how many days to replace the qualifying party
after notifying IDFPR?
A) 14 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Answer: B) 30 days
Rationale: The agency has 30 days to replace the qualifying party.
During this time, a temporary certificate of authority may be issued.
28. Operating without a qualifying party after the grace period
expires:
A) Is allowed with IDFPR permission
B) Requires immediate cessation of operations
C) Is a civil matter only
D) Is allowed if clients consent
Answer: B) Requires immediate cessation of operations
Rationale: No qualifying party = no license. The agency must cease
operations until a new qualifying party is in place.
29. An applicant may retake a failed exam after how many days?
A) 7 days
B) 14 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days
Answer: C) 30 days
Rationale: Applicants must wait 30 days before retaking the
examination.
30. How many exam attempts are allowed per 12-month period?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) Unlimited
Answer: C) 3
Rationale: Applicants are limited to three examination attempts in any
12 - month period.
31. A person whose license is revoked for dishonesty:
A) May reapply after 5 years
B) May reapply after 10 years
C) May never reapply
D) May reapply after a pardon
Answer: C) May never reapply
Rationale: Permanent bar applies to revocation for dishonesty-related
offenses.
Answer: B) A privilege, not a right
Rationale: Licensure is a privilege granted by the state, subject to
regulation and discipline.
35. IDFPR may conduct unannounced inspections of a security
agency's facilities:
A) Never
B) At any reasonable time
C) Only with a warrant
D) Only after a complaint
Answer: B) At any reasonable time
Rationale: Under 225 ILCS 447/35-10, licensees must permit office
facilities, business premises, training facilities, and employee files to be
inspected at reasonable times by the Department.
36. Business records must be kept for a minimum of how many years?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C) 3 years
Rationale: Under 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.500, records must be
maintained for at least 3 years.
37. A name change must be reported to IDFPR within how many days?
A) 14 days
B) 30 days
C) 45 days
D) 60 days
Answer: B) 30 days
Rationale: Under 225 ILCS 447/35-25, notification of a name change
shall be made to the Department within 30 days after the change.
38. A lost license may be replaced by:
A) Applying for a new license
B) Submitting proof of loss with required fee
C) Waiting for automatic replacement
D) Retaking the exam
Answer: B) Submitting proof of loss with required fee
Rationale: Under 225 ILCS 447/35-25, if a license is lost, a duplicate
shall be issued upon proof of such loss together with the payment of
the required fee.
39. An agency name may NOT include which of the following words?
A) "Security"
B) "Protection"
C) "Law Enforcement"
D) "Guard"
Rationale: Under 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.210(a)(5)(C), a corporation
must provide a copy of the Articles of Incorporation and a Certificate of
Good Standing issued by the Secretary of State within the previous 60
days.
42. A temporary certificate of authority may be extended up to how
many times?
A) 1 time
B) 2 times
C) 3 times
D) Unlimited times
Answer: B) 2 times
Rationale: Under 225 ILCS 447/25-15(b), not more than 2 extensions
may be granted to any agency. Each extension is for an additional 90
days.
43. No temporary permit shall be issued for loss of the licensee-in-
charge due to:
A) Death of the individual
B) Termination of employment
C) Disciplinary action by the Department
D) Resignation
Answer: C) Disciplinary action by the Department
Rationale: Under 225 ILCS 447/25-15(b), no temporary permit shall be
issued for loss of the licensee-in-charge because of disciplinary action
by the Department related to his or her conduct on behalf of the
agency.
44. If the Department disapproves the selection of a new licensee-in-
charge while a temporary certificate is in effect:
A) The agency must close immediately
B) The Department may grant an extension to find another candidate
C) The agency automatically loses its license
D) The agency may continue indefinitely without a licensee-in-charge
Answer: B) The Department may grant an extension to find another
candidate
Rationale: Under 225 ILCS 447/25-15(c), if the Department disapproves
the selection of a new licensee-in-charge and the temporary certificate
expires, the Department shall grant an extension for an additional 90
days.
45. A post office box by itself is NOT acceptable as:
A) A mailing address
B) The principal place of business address on an application
C) A return address for correspondence
D) A billing address
Answer: B) The principal place of business address on an application
Rationale: Under 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.210(a)(1) and (2), a post office
box by itself is not acceptable as the principal office address.
