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ILLINOIS SECURITY CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM LATEST 2026
115 Questions with Answers & Rationales
Based on Illinois Compiled Statutes (225 ILCS 447) & IDFPR
Administrative Rules (68 Ill. Admin. Code 1240)
SECTION 1: LICENSING & JURISDICTION
(Questions 1-30)
Question 1
Who issues security contractor licenses in Illinois?
A) Illinois State Police (ISP)
B) Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
C) Local county sheriff
D) Illinois Attorney General
Answer: B) Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
(IDFPR)
Rationale: The IDFPR administers the Private Detective, Private
Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act
of 2004 (225 ILCS 447). The Illinois State Police handle only
background checks and PERC cards, not contractor licensing.
Question 2
A security contractor license is valid for how many years?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C) 3 years
Rationale: Private security contractor licenses are issued for a
three-year term. Licensees must renew before expiration to
continue operating legally.
Question 3
What is the minimum age for a private security contractor
license?
A) 18 years old
immediately preceding application working as a full-time
manager for a licensed agency or in approved supervisory
roles.
Question 5
Which entity conducts the fingerprint-based criminal history
check for security contractor applicants?
A) IDFPR
B) Illinois State Police and FBI
C) Department of Homeland Security
D) Local police department
Answer: B) Illinois State Police and FBI
Rationale: Section 45 of the Act mandates ISP/FBI background
checks for all licensees. This includes fingerprint submission for
both the contractor license and the PERC card.
Question 6
A person with a prior felony conviction may be eligible for
licensure after how many years have elapsed since full
discharge from sentence?
A) 5 years
B) 7 years
C) 10 years
D) 15 years
Answer: C) 10 years
Rationale: Section 25-10(a)(2) states that a person has not been
convicted of any felony in any jurisdiction OR at least 10 years
have elapsed since the time of full discharge from a sentence
imposed for a felony conviction.
Question 7
The passing grade on the security contractor examination is:
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Question 9
A successful examination score is valid for how long?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C) 3 years
Rationale: Section 1240.200(e) states that a successful
examination score shall be valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the
examination score becomes void and an applicant will be
required to file a new application and sit for and pass the
examination again.
Question 10
What is the minimum general liability insurance coverage
required for licensure?
A) 250
C) 1
Answer: C) 1 , 000 , 000 ∗∗ 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑒:∗∗
of general liability insurance held by the applicant as evidenced
by a certificate of insurance from the insurer.
Question 11
Which of the following is exempt from the Private Security
Contractor licensing requirements?
A) Armed security contractors
B) Proprietary (in-house) security employed exclusively by one
employer
C) Locksmiths doing residential work
D) Alarm installers
Answer: B) Proprietary (in-house) security employed exclusively
by one employer
Rationale: Section 25-5(3) exempts a person, watchman, or
proprietary security officer employed exclusively by only one
employer in connection with the exclusive activities of that
employer.
C) Change of address
D) Changing insurance carriers
Answer: C) Change of address
Rationale: Section 65(d) requires licensees to notify IDFPR of
address changes within 30 days. Failure to update is a violation
of the Act.
Question 14
A branch office license is required if:
A) Any secondary location within Illinois
B) Out-of-state office
C) More than 5 employees
D) Mobile unit without fixed address
Answer: A) Any secondary IL location
Rationale: Section 40(b) requires each additional office location
within Illinois to have a branch office license.
Question 15
The bond requirement for a security contractor is:
A) 10
C) $50,
D) None (only for private detectives)
Answer: D) None
Rationale: Section 60 of the Act requires bond for private
detectives, NOT for security contractors. Security contractors
must maintain general liability insurance.
Question 16
Failure to maintain general liability insurance results in:
A) Late fee assessment
B) License suspension after hearing
C) Cancellation of license without hearing
D) Probationary period
Answer: C) Cancellation of license without hearing
Rationale: Section 25-10(b) states that failure to maintain
general liability insurance and to provide the Department with
Question 18
A license applicant with an associate degree in police science
receives credit for how many years of the required experience?
A) 0 years
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 3 years
Answer: B) 1 year
Rationale: Section 25-10(a)(6) provides that an applicant who
has an associate degree in police science or in a related field or
in business from an accredited college or university shall be
given credit for one of the 3 years of the required experience.
Question 19
The agency name shall NOT include which words?
A) "Security"
B) "Protection"
C) "Law enforcement" or "police"
D) "Private"
Answer: C) "Law enforcement" or "police"
Rationale: Section 1240.210(b) states that the name of the
agency shall not include the words "law enforcement" or
"police" or any other words or combination that implies that
the agency is a law enforcement or police agency or a
governmental agency.
Question 20
An applicant who has completed a non-degree military training
program in police science receives credit for how many years of
the required experience?
A) 0 years
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 3 years
Answer: B) 1 year
Rationale: Section 25-10(a)(6) provides that an applicant who
has completed a non-degree military training program in police
science or a related field shall be given credit for one of the 3
A) May still qualify with additional experience
B) Is not qualified for licensure
C) May qualify after 5 years
D) May qualify after 10 years
Answer: B) Is not qualified for licensure
Rationale: Section 25-10(a)(7) explicitly states that a person
who has not been dishonorably discharged from the armed
forces of the United States is a qualification requirement.
Dishonorable discharge disqualifies an applicant.
Question 23
The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license without
a hearing for:
A) Any misdemeanor conviction
B) Failure to pay state income tax or comply with child support
orders
C) Minor traffic violations
D) Late application submission
Answer: B) Failure to pay state income tax or comply with child
support orders
Rationale: IDFPR has authority to deny licensure for failure to
comply with state tax obligations or child support orders under
Illinois law.
Question 24
IDFPR can conduct unannounced inspections:
A) Only with warrant
B) During business hours
C) Only after complaint
D) Never
Answer: B) During business hours
Rationale: Section 65(e) grants IDFPR the right to inspect during
business hours. This is a routine compliance authority.
Question 25
A firm's license is:
employee to be licensed and regulated under the Act and rules
governing private detectives and private security contractors.
Question 27
What appears on an agency employee's identification card?
A) The date of issuance
B) The employee's date of licensure
C) The signature of the person's employer
D) A personal description of the employee
Answer: B) The employee's date of licensure
Rationale: The employee's date of licensure does NOT appear
on the agency employee's identification card. The card includes
the date of issuance, employer's signature, and personal
description, but not the licensure date.
Question 28
Practicing with an expired license may result in:
A) Only a warning
B) An extension to renew
C) Disciplinary action
D) Automatic reinstatement
Answer: C) Disciplinary action
Rationale: Practicing with an expired license may result in
disciplinary action. Failing to notify the Department of a change
of address can lead to the same consequence.
Question 29
A security contractor may be disciplined for:
A) Violating a uniform code
B) Conviction of any crime related to duties
C) Refusing to testify before IDFPR
D) Filing a false personal tax return unrelated to security work
Answer: D) Filing false personal tax return (unrelated to security
business) is NOT grounds for discipline
Rationale: IDFPR jurisdiction only covers acts connected to
licensed activity. Personal tax matters unrelated to the security
business are not grounds for discipline under Section 90.
