[GAPDA] Georgia Private Detective Agency
Licensureination Certification Review
Guide
**Question 1.** Which Georgia statute specifically governs the licensing of private detective
agencies?
A) O.C.G.A. § 16-11-66
B) O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 38
C) O.C.G.A. § 17-4-60
D) O.C.G.A. § 24-9-1
Answer: B
Explanation: Title 43, Chapter 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) contains
the Georgia Private Detective and Security Agencies Act, which sets licensing requirements for
private detective agencies.
**Question 2.** Under Georgia law, a private investigator may advertise services as long as the
advertisement:
A) Includes the agency’s surety bond amount
B) States the investigator’s personal criminal record
C) Does not contain false or misleading statements
D) Lists all clients served in the past year
Answer: C
Explanation: Advertising must be truthful and not deceptive; the law prohibits false or
misleading statements but does not require disclosure of bond amounts or client lists.
**Question 3.** Which of the following is considered a felony under Georgia law?
A) Petty theft (value under $500)
B) Possession of a firearm without a license
C) Arson of an occupied structure
, [GAPDA] Georgia Private Detective Agency
Licensureination Certification Review
Guide
D) Trespassing on private property
Answer: C
Explanation: Arson of an occupied structure is classified as a felony due to the danger to human
life; petty theft and trespassing are misdemeanors, and firearm possession without a license is a
misdemeanor.
**Question 4.** In civil litigation, a private investigator’s primary role during discovery is to:
A) Testify as an expert witness on the merits of the case
B) Obtain sworn statements from parties
C) Locate, preserve, and produce relevant evidence
D) Serve summons and complaints
Answer: C
Explanation: During discovery, investigators are tasked with locating, preserving, and producing
documents, photographs, and other evidence that are relevant to the case.
**Question 5.** The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) primarily protects:
A) The privacy of criminal background checks
B) Consumers’ credit information from unauthorized disclosure
C) Employee salary data from public posting
D) The confidentiality of medical records
Answer: B
Explanation: The FCRA regulates how consumer credit information may be collected, used, and
shared, protecting individuals from unauthorized access to their credit data.
**Question 6.** A conflict of interest for a private detective agency most likely occurs when:
,[GAPDA] Georgia Private Detective Agency
Licensureination Certification Review
Guide
A) The agency hires a new investigator without a background check
B) An investigator works on a case involving a close personal friend
C) The agency fails to renew its surety bond on time
D) The agency advertises a new service line
Answer: B
Explanation: Working on a case involving a personal friend creates a conflict between
professional duties and personal relationships, potentially compromising objectivity.
**Question 7.** Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-60, a citizen’s arrest in Georgia requires that the
arresting party:
A) Have a warrant signed by a judge
B) Immediately notify law enforcement of the arrest
C) Have probable cause to believe a felony has been committed
D) Use only non-lethal force
Answer: C
Explanation: The statute permits a citizen’s arrest when the arrestor has probable cause to
believe a felony has been committed; a warrant is not required, but the arrest must be
reasonable.
**Question 8.** Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides the basis for the
exclusionary rule in Georgia courts?
A) First Amendment
B) Fourth Amendment
C) Fifth Amendment
D) Sixth Amendment
, [GAPDA] Georgia Private Detective Agency
Licensureination Certification Review
Guide
Answer: B
Explanation: The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; the
exclusionary rule prevents illegally obtained evidence from being used in court.
**Question 9.** Georgia’s “reasonable expectation of privacy” test is used to determine:
A) Whether a private detective can enter a home without consent
B) If a search requires a warrant
C) The admissibility of hearsay evidence
D) The validity of a contract between client and agency
Answer: B
Explanation: The test assesses whether an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy in
a location, dictating whether a warrant is needed for a lawful search.
**Question 10.** O.C.G.A. § 16-11-66 allows audio recording in Georgia when:
A) All parties consent to the recording
B) The recording is made in a public place
C) At least one party to the conversation consents
D) The recording is for law‑enforcement purposes only
Answer: C
Explanation: Georgia follows a one‑party consent rule, meaning that only one participant in the
conversation must consent to the recording.
**Question 11.** Hidden cameras are prohibited in which of the following locations under
O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62?
A) Public streets
Licensureination Certification Review
Guide
**Question 1.** Which Georgia statute specifically governs the licensing of private detective
agencies?
A) O.C.G.A. § 16-11-66
B) O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 38
C) O.C.G.A. § 17-4-60
D) O.C.G.A. § 24-9-1
Answer: B
Explanation: Title 43, Chapter 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) contains
the Georgia Private Detective and Security Agencies Act, which sets licensing requirements for
private detective agencies.
**Question 2.** Under Georgia law, a private investigator may advertise services as long as the
advertisement:
A) Includes the agency’s surety bond amount
B) States the investigator’s personal criminal record
C) Does not contain false or misleading statements
D) Lists all clients served in the past year
Answer: C
Explanation: Advertising must be truthful and not deceptive; the law prohibits false or
misleading statements but does not require disclosure of bond amounts or client lists.
**Question 3.** Which of the following is considered a felony under Georgia law?
A) Petty theft (value under $500)
B) Possession of a firearm without a license
C) Arson of an occupied structure
, [GAPDA] Georgia Private Detective Agency
Licensureination Certification Review
Guide
D) Trespassing on private property
Answer: C
Explanation: Arson of an occupied structure is classified as a felony due to the danger to human
life; petty theft and trespassing are misdemeanors, and firearm possession without a license is a
misdemeanor.
**Question 4.** In civil litigation, a private investigator’s primary role during discovery is to:
A) Testify as an expert witness on the merits of the case
B) Obtain sworn statements from parties
C) Locate, preserve, and produce relevant evidence
D) Serve summons and complaints
Answer: C
Explanation: During discovery, investigators are tasked with locating, preserving, and producing
documents, photographs, and other evidence that are relevant to the case.
**Question 5.** The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) primarily protects:
A) The privacy of criminal background checks
B) Consumers’ credit information from unauthorized disclosure
C) Employee salary data from public posting
D) The confidentiality of medical records
Answer: B
Explanation: The FCRA regulates how consumer credit information may be collected, used, and
shared, protecting individuals from unauthorized access to their credit data.
**Question 6.** A conflict of interest for a private detective agency most likely occurs when:
,[GAPDA] Georgia Private Detective Agency
Licensureination Certification Review
Guide
A) The agency hires a new investigator without a background check
B) An investigator works on a case involving a close personal friend
C) The agency fails to renew its surety bond on time
D) The agency advertises a new service line
Answer: B
Explanation: Working on a case involving a personal friend creates a conflict between
professional duties and personal relationships, potentially compromising objectivity.
**Question 7.** Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-60, a citizen’s arrest in Georgia requires that the
arresting party:
A) Have a warrant signed by a judge
B) Immediately notify law enforcement of the arrest
C) Have probable cause to believe a felony has been committed
D) Use only non-lethal force
Answer: C
Explanation: The statute permits a citizen’s arrest when the arrestor has probable cause to
believe a felony has been committed; a warrant is not required, but the arrest must be
reasonable.
**Question 8.** Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides the basis for the
exclusionary rule in Georgia courts?
A) First Amendment
B) Fourth Amendment
C) Fifth Amendment
D) Sixth Amendment
, [GAPDA] Georgia Private Detective Agency
Licensureination Certification Review
Guide
Answer: B
Explanation: The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; the
exclusionary rule prevents illegally obtained evidence from being used in court.
**Question 9.** Georgia’s “reasonable expectation of privacy” test is used to determine:
A) Whether a private detective can enter a home without consent
B) If a search requires a warrant
C) The admissibility of hearsay evidence
D) The validity of a contract between client and agency
Answer: B
Explanation: The test assesses whether an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy in
a location, dictating whether a warrant is needed for a lawful search.
**Question 10.** O.C.G.A. § 16-11-66 allows audio recording in Georgia when:
A) All parties consent to the recording
B) The recording is made in a public place
C) At least one party to the conversation consents
D) The recording is for law‑enforcement purposes only
Answer: C
Explanation: Georgia follows a one‑party consent rule, meaning that only one participant in the
conversation must consent to the recording.
**Question 11.** Hidden cameras are prohibited in which of the following locations under
O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62?
A) Public streets
