PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR PRACTICE PAPER
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● A witness states they want to kill the defendant related to their case if
they don't get convicted. What should you do? Answer: Notify the
attorney you are working for.
● The client of an attorney disclosed in your presence self incriminating
evidence of another crime not related to this current attorney matter.
Does attorney client privilege extend to you? Answer: Yes, you are not
required or mandated to report. But bsis does allow you to report to law
enforcement with no punishment against your PI license.
● You are going to conduct surveillance on a workers compensation
case, which pre surveillance should be done first? Answer: Proper pre
surveillance aka "activity check" to ID the claimant. (Vehicle description
and license plate).
● You have served 7 subpoenas for an attorney on this current case in the
last 6 months in this calendar year. The attorney gives you nine
additional. How many can you serve? Answer: 3, a licensed PI can not
serve more than 10 in a calendar year. Also a non registered person
cannot serve ORAPS and bank levies.
,● An attorney mentions you could steal records in order to get the case
moving faster. You should: Answer: Refuse and remind the attorney it's
illegal.
● If a private investigator does not have an FQ permit by bsis and wants
a firearm in the vehicle, in order to comply with the law the pi should:
Answer: Same as any citizen: unloaded and properly secured in the trunk
of the car.
● Is pretexting/ ruses legal or illegal? Answer: Pretexting (lying) is
typically legally ok except for:
1. Impersonating an official
2. Obtaining financial info
3. Do not speak to persons represented by an attorney.
● A corporation wants you to investigate its employees because there are
talks about forming a union. The employee refuses to answer any
questions. You tell the employee that he will be terminated if he/
She does not answer any questions. Is this legal? Answer: No, a PI can
be punished for this. You cannot impersonate a union member and attend
union meetings.
● The investigator hires a licensed subcontractor and the amount
exceeds $600. When does the PI not have to provide a 1099? Answer:
When the subcontractor is a corporation.
,It is a misdemeanor for a PI to subcontract work to a person in CA who
is not a licensed PI.
Employees cannot be independent contractors. Huge fines
● When can a private investigators company name and license number
be allowed for someone else to use the name and license number?
Answer: 1. If the PI does an air family member can operate the business
for up to 120 days after the death of the PI licensee if BSIS is notified
within 30 days of the death. The license then expires at 120 days
otherwise the license is not assignable just like a drivers license is not.
2. If the PI is alive, an employee in taxes, withheld and covered by
Worker's Compensation insurance can work in the PI's name at the
direction control of the employee PI.
● When can a photograph used during trial? Answer: To refresh a
witnesses, memory or as evidence.
● The opposing attorney issues you subpoena requested that you attend a
deposition you're working directly with an attorney. What should you
do? Answer: Attend the deposition when answering the opposing turns
questions take a few seconds pause before answering to give your client
attorney a chance to object the question.
● If you want to demand a witness to attend a court with specific
material, you should issue the following Answer: A subpoena deuces
tecum, Latin for come and bring with you.
, ● You are investing a traffic collision be the only able to investigate one
of the vehicles. It has rear end damage. The other vehicles left the scene
determine the speed the impact you should. Answer: Hire an expert.
Metallergy, stretching a metal, pass crash test.
● You're interviewing a minor pertaining to a car accident. During the
interview, the minor tells you that prior to the action is father molested
him. What should you do? Answer: Continuous statement, but separately
note the molestation.
● What you look for in a wrongful death claim Answer: Expected years
of his life that we likely had not the death occurred as part of how
damages are determined
● Which is the best to assess a person's net worth? Answer: An asset
search
● Is it a felony or misdemeanor to produce false evidence in court?
Answer: Felony
● If it is sad that a witness to a car accident might have poor mental
capacity what should be the best first step to assess the value of this
person as a witness? Answer: Interview that witness
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● A witness states they want to kill the defendant related to their case if
they don't get convicted. What should you do? Answer: Notify the
attorney you are working for.
● The client of an attorney disclosed in your presence self incriminating
evidence of another crime not related to this current attorney matter.
Does attorney client privilege extend to you? Answer: Yes, you are not
required or mandated to report. But bsis does allow you to report to law
enforcement with no punishment against your PI license.
● You are going to conduct surveillance on a workers compensation
case, which pre surveillance should be done first? Answer: Proper pre
surveillance aka "activity check" to ID the claimant. (Vehicle description
and license plate).
● You have served 7 subpoenas for an attorney on this current case in the
last 6 months in this calendar year. The attorney gives you nine
additional. How many can you serve? Answer: 3, a licensed PI can not
serve more than 10 in a calendar year. Also a non registered person
cannot serve ORAPS and bank levies.
,● An attorney mentions you could steal records in order to get the case
moving faster. You should: Answer: Refuse and remind the attorney it's
illegal.
● If a private investigator does not have an FQ permit by bsis and wants
a firearm in the vehicle, in order to comply with the law the pi should:
Answer: Same as any citizen: unloaded and properly secured in the trunk
of the car.
● Is pretexting/ ruses legal or illegal? Answer: Pretexting (lying) is
typically legally ok except for:
1. Impersonating an official
2. Obtaining financial info
3. Do not speak to persons represented by an attorney.
● A corporation wants you to investigate its employees because there are
talks about forming a union. The employee refuses to answer any
questions. You tell the employee that he will be terminated if he/
She does not answer any questions. Is this legal? Answer: No, a PI can
be punished for this. You cannot impersonate a union member and attend
union meetings.
● The investigator hires a licensed subcontractor and the amount
exceeds $600. When does the PI not have to provide a 1099? Answer:
When the subcontractor is a corporation.
,It is a misdemeanor for a PI to subcontract work to a person in CA who
is not a licensed PI.
Employees cannot be independent contractors. Huge fines
● When can a private investigators company name and license number
be allowed for someone else to use the name and license number?
Answer: 1. If the PI does an air family member can operate the business
for up to 120 days after the death of the PI licensee if BSIS is notified
within 30 days of the death. The license then expires at 120 days
otherwise the license is not assignable just like a drivers license is not.
2. If the PI is alive, an employee in taxes, withheld and covered by
Worker's Compensation insurance can work in the PI's name at the
direction control of the employee PI.
● When can a photograph used during trial? Answer: To refresh a
witnesses, memory or as evidence.
● The opposing attorney issues you subpoena requested that you attend a
deposition you're working directly with an attorney. What should you
do? Answer: Attend the deposition when answering the opposing turns
questions take a few seconds pause before answering to give your client
attorney a chance to object the question.
● If you want to demand a witness to attend a court with specific
material, you should issue the following Answer: A subpoena deuces
tecum, Latin for come and bring with you.
, ● You are investing a traffic collision be the only able to investigate one
of the vehicles. It has rear end damage. The other vehicles left the scene
determine the speed the impact you should. Answer: Hire an expert.
Metallergy, stretching a metal, pass crash test.
● You're interviewing a minor pertaining to a car accident. During the
interview, the minor tells you that prior to the action is father molested
him. What should you do? Answer: Continuous statement, but separately
note the molestation.
● What you look for in a wrongful death claim Answer: Expected years
of his life that we likely had not the death occurred as part of how
damages are determined
● Which is the best to assess a person's net worth? Answer: An asset
search
● Is it a felony or misdemeanor to produce false evidence in court?
Answer: Felony
● If it is sad that a witness to a car accident might have poor mental
capacity what should be the best first step to assess the value of this
person as a witness? Answer: Interview that witness
