California Private Security Services Act, 2026 – Private Security Law
Study and Review Material
Who, at BSIS, 'shall administer and enforce the rules'? - ANS✔✔ The director of consumer
affairs
What is an 'FQ Card'? - ANS✔✔ 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? - ANS✔✔ 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? - ANS✔✔ $10,000
When, if ever, may a person licensed only as a PPO make an investigation? - ANS✔✔ In
incidental to the theft, loss, embezzlement, misappropriation, concealment of any property,
which he or she has been hired or engaged to watch or protect.
What agencies other than BSIS are involved in regulating armored car companies? - ANS✔✔
California Highway Patrol and Public Utilities Commission
What do the initials "B.S.I.S' stand for? - ANS✔✔ Bureau of security and investigative services
Carrying a gun concealed under a shirt is usually what type of crime? - ANS✔✔ Misdemeanor
Carrying a set of 'brass knuckles' in your pocket is usually what type of crime? - ANS✔✔ Felony
,How much imprisonment might come from a misdemeanor conviction? - ANS✔✔ Up to a year
imprisonment
How much imprisonment might come from a felony conviction? - ANS✔✔ One year or more
imprisonment
If a person knowingly hires an unlicensed person to provide PPO services, what punishment
might that person receive? - ANS✔✔ For the misdemeanor, a fine of $5,000 and/or
imprisonment of up to one year
If a person is convicted of providing PPO services without a license, he/she cannot be issued a
PPO license for what time period following the conviction? - ANS✔✔ One Year
If a person is convicted a second time of providing PPO services without a license, he/she can
not be issued a PPO license for what time period following this second conviction? - ANS✔✔
Five Years
An applicant for a PPO license must be at least how old? - ANS✔✔ 18
Where must the PPO license be posted? - ANS✔✔ Posted in a conspicuous place in the principal
place of business
If the PPO license is not properly posted, what might the fine be? - ANS✔✔ $250
What two proofs of being licensed are sent to the PPO by the licensing bureau? - ANS✔✔ Large
license for wall and pocket card
What do the letters 'Q.M' stand for on a PPO license? - ANS✔✔ Qualified Manager
,Is a PPO license 'assignable'? - ANS✔✔ NO
Is a licensee required to at all times be legally responsible for the good conduct in the business
of all of his/her employees, agents, and managers? - ANS✔✔ Yes
Can the licensing bureau allow a PPO to conduct business under an additional fictitious business
name? - ANS✔✔ Yes
What is the cost of obtaining an additional fictitious business name or to change the PPO's
fictitious business name? - ANS✔✔ $25
Every advertisement of a PPO must contain what 3 pieces of information? - ANS✔✔ Company
name, business address or phone number, and license number
What fine might be assessed if a PPO's advertisement does not contain the 3 required pieces of
information? - ANS✔✔ $250
When may a PPO or PPO's employees use a badge? - ANS✔✔ Only while engaged in guard or
patrol work, and while wearing a distinctive uniform
The shoulder patch required to be worn on a PPO's security uniforms must bear what 2 pieces
of information? - ANS✔✔ The words "Private Security" and the name if the private patrol
company by the person is employed
A violation of badge or shoulder patch rules by a PPO or PPO employees might cause what fine
to be assessed? - ANS✔✔ $250
Who must approve a PPO's badge design? - ANS✔✔ The director of BSIS
, What is the PPO applicant experience requirement? - ANS✔✔ At least one year of experience as
a patrol person, guard, or watchman, or the equivalent
If a PPO or PPO employee has an FQ card that says '9mm', may they carry a .38 pistol if in
uniform? - ANS✔✔ No
If a PPO or a PPO employee discharges a firearm within the scope & course of his/her duties,
within how many days must a report of this be delivered in writing to the Director of BSIS? -
ANS✔✔ 7 days
How often is a PPO license renewed? - ANS✔✔ Every two years
If a guard's registration is not renewed within 60 days of its expiration, and is then renewed,
what is the 'delinquency fee'? - ANS✔✔ 50% if the renewal fee, but not less than $25
If a guard is convicted of a crime substantially related to the functions, duties, or responsibilities
of a guard, will the registration be automatically suspended? - ANS✔✔ Yes
Can a hearing be had if a registration is suspended? - ANS✔✔ Yes
A PPO's application for PPO license is considered to be 'abandoned' if not complete within how
long after it was initially filed? - ANS✔✔ One Year
To replace a lost FQ card costs what fee? - ANS✔✔ $10
An FQ card expires when, if not renewed? - ANS✔✔ 2 Years from the date of issuance
Does a FQ card allow a gun to be carried concealed upon a person? - ANS✔✔ NO
Study and Review Material
Who, at BSIS, 'shall administer and enforce the rules'? - ANS✔✔ The director of consumer
affairs
What is an 'FQ Card'? - ANS✔✔ 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? - ANS✔✔ 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? - ANS✔✔ $10,000
When, if ever, may a person licensed only as a PPO make an investigation? - ANS✔✔ In
incidental to the theft, loss, embezzlement, misappropriation, concealment of any property,
which he or she has been hired or engaged to watch or protect.
What agencies other than BSIS are involved in regulating armored car companies? - ANS✔✔
California Highway Patrol and Public Utilities Commission
What do the initials "B.S.I.S' stand for? - ANS✔✔ Bureau of security and investigative services
Carrying a gun concealed under a shirt is usually what type of crime? - ANS✔✔ Misdemeanor
Carrying a set of 'brass knuckles' in your pocket is usually what type of crime? - ANS✔✔ Felony
,How much imprisonment might come from a misdemeanor conviction? - ANS✔✔ Up to a year
imprisonment
How much imprisonment might come from a felony conviction? - ANS✔✔ One year or more
imprisonment
If a person knowingly hires an unlicensed person to provide PPO services, what punishment
might that person receive? - ANS✔✔ For the misdemeanor, a fine of $5,000 and/or
imprisonment of up to one year
If a person is convicted of providing PPO services without a license, he/she cannot be issued a
PPO license for what time period following the conviction? - ANS✔✔ One Year
If a person is convicted a second time of providing PPO services without a license, he/she can
not be issued a PPO license for what time period following this second conviction? - ANS✔✔
Five Years
An applicant for a PPO license must be at least how old? - ANS✔✔ 18
Where must the PPO license be posted? - ANS✔✔ Posted in a conspicuous place in the principal
place of business
If the PPO license is not properly posted, what might the fine be? - ANS✔✔ $250
What two proofs of being licensed are sent to the PPO by the licensing bureau? - ANS✔✔ Large
license for wall and pocket card
What do the letters 'Q.M' stand for on a PPO license? - ANS✔✔ Qualified Manager
,Is a PPO license 'assignable'? - ANS✔✔ NO
Is a licensee required to at all times be legally responsible for the good conduct in the business
of all of his/her employees, agents, and managers? - ANS✔✔ Yes
Can the licensing bureau allow a PPO to conduct business under an additional fictitious business
name? - ANS✔✔ Yes
What is the cost of obtaining an additional fictitious business name or to change the PPO's
fictitious business name? - ANS✔✔ $25
Every advertisement of a PPO must contain what 3 pieces of information? - ANS✔✔ Company
name, business address or phone number, and license number
What fine might be assessed if a PPO's advertisement does not contain the 3 required pieces of
information? - ANS✔✔ $250
When may a PPO or PPO's employees use a badge? - ANS✔✔ Only while engaged in guard or
patrol work, and while wearing a distinctive uniform
The shoulder patch required to be worn on a PPO's security uniforms must bear what 2 pieces
of information? - ANS✔✔ The words "Private Security" and the name if the private patrol
company by the person is employed
A violation of badge or shoulder patch rules by a PPO or PPO employees might cause what fine
to be assessed? - ANS✔✔ $250
Who must approve a PPO's badge design? - ANS✔✔ The director of BSIS
, What is the PPO applicant experience requirement? - ANS✔✔ At least one year of experience as
a patrol person, guard, or watchman, or the equivalent
If a PPO or PPO employee has an FQ card that says '9mm', may they carry a .38 pistol if in
uniform? - ANS✔✔ No
If a PPO or a PPO employee discharges a firearm within the scope & course of his/her duties,
within how many days must a report of this be delivered in writing to the Director of BSIS? -
ANS✔✔ 7 days
How often is a PPO license renewed? - ANS✔✔ Every two years
If a guard's registration is not renewed within 60 days of its expiration, and is then renewed,
what is the 'delinquency fee'? - ANS✔✔ 50% if the renewal fee, but not less than $25
If a guard is convicted of a crime substantially related to the functions, duties, or responsibilities
of a guard, will the registration be automatically suspended? - ANS✔✔ Yes
Can a hearing be had if a registration is suspended? - ANS✔✔ Yes
A PPO's application for PPO license is considered to be 'abandoned' if not complete within how
long after it was initially filed? - ANS✔✔ One Year
To replace a lost FQ card costs what fee? - ANS✔✔ $10
An FQ card expires when, if not renewed? - ANS✔✔ 2 Years from the date of issuance
Does a FQ card allow a gun to be carried concealed upon a person? - ANS✔✔ NO
