ILLINOIS SECURITY CONTRACTOR EXAM
2026/2027 – PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS
• This practice exam is designed to help you prepare for the Illinois Security
Contractor licensing exam — study each question carefully, review the EXPERT
RATIONALE for every correct answer to reinforce your understanding, and revisit
any questions you get wrong.
• Features verified answers with highlighted correct options, clear EXPERT
RATIONALE, and full A–E multiple choice format to simulate real exam conditions.
1. Under Illinois law, which agency is responsible for licensing security
contractors?
A. Illinois Department of Revenue
B. Illinois State Police
C. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
D. Illinois Commerce Commission
E. Illinois Department of Labor
C. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
EXPERT RATIONALE: The IDFPR is the state agency that oversees and issues
licenses for security contractors and security personnel in Illinois under the Private
Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of
2004.
2. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Permanent Employee
Registration Card (PERC) in Illinois?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
,C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
E. 25 years old
C. 18 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois law requires that an applicant must be at least 18
years of age to be eligible for a PERC, which is required for all security employees
working in the state.
3. Which of the following is a disqualifying factor for obtaining a PERC in
Illinois?
A. Having a minor traffic violation
B. Being convicted of a felony
C. Having unpaid parking tickets
D. Being under 25 years of age
E. Working part-time employment
B. Being convicted of a felony
EXPERT RATIONALE: A felony conviction is a disqualifying factor under Illinois
law. Applicants with felony convictions are generally denied a PERC unless they
receive a special exemption upon review.
4. How long is a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) valid in
Illinois?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 4 years
,E. 5 years
E. 5 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: The PERC is valid for five years from the date of issuance.
Security employees must renew their card before it expires to remain legally
employed in the security industry in Illinois.
5. Under Illinois law, which of the following best defines a "security
contractor"?
A. A person who installs alarm systems exclusively
B. A person or agency that provides armed or unarmed security guard services for
a fee
C. A person who investigates insurance fraud
D. A government employee who monitors public areas
E. A person who provides IT security solutions
B. A person or agency that provides armed or unarmed security guard
services for a fee
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security,
Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004, a security contractor is defined as
an entity that provides security guard services to clients for compensation.
6. What training is required before a security officer in Illinois may carry a
firearm on duty?
A. Basic first aid training
B. Completion of a state-approved firearms training course
C. A college degree in criminal justice
D. Completion of a general security orientation
, E. No training is required
B. Completion of a state-approved firearms training course
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois law requires that armed security officers complete a
state-approved firearms training course and obtain the appropriate firearms
authorization before carrying a weapon on duty.
7. What document must an Illinois security officer carry while on duty?
A. Their state driver's license only
B. Their employer's business license
C. Their Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)
D. A notarized letter from their employer
E. A copy of the Illinois Security Act
C. Their Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois law mandates that security officers carry their PERC
while on duty and present it upon request to law enforcement or authorized
personnel.
8. Which of the following actions by a security officer would be considered an
abuse of authority?
A. Detaining a shoplifter for a reasonable time
B. Asking a visitor to show identification
C. Physically assaulting a trespasser without justification
D. Reporting suspicious activity to police
E. Conducting a patrol of the premises
C. Physically assaulting a trespasser without justification
2026/2027 – PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS
• This practice exam is designed to help you prepare for the Illinois Security
Contractor licensing exam — study each question carefully, review the EXPERT
RATIONALE for every correct answer to reinforce your understanding, and revisit
any questions you get wrong.
• Features verified answers with highlighted correct options, clear EXPERT
RATIONALE, and full A–E multiple choice format to simulate real exam conditions.
1. Under Illinois law, which agency is responsible for licensing security
contractors?
A. Illinois Department of Revenue
B. Illinois State Police
C. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
D. Illinois Commerce Commission
E. Illinois Department of Labor
C. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
EXPERT RATIONALE: The IDFPR is the state agency that oversees and issues
licenses for security contractors and security personnel in Illinois under the Private
Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of
2004.
2. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Permanent Employee
Registration Card (PERC) in Illinois?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
,C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
E. 25 years old
C. 18 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois law requires that an applicant must be at least 18
years of age to be eligible for a PERC, which is required for all security employees
working in the state.
3. Which of the following is a disqualifying factor for obtaining a PERC in
Illinois?
A. Having a minor traffic violation
B. Being convicted of a felony
C. Having unpaid parking tickets
D. Being under 25 years of age
E. Working part-time employment
B. Being convicted of a felony
EXPERT RATIONALE: A felony conviction is a disqualifying factor under Illinois
law. Applicants with felony convictions are generally denied a PERC unless they
receive a special exemption upon review.
4. How long is a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) valid in
Illinois?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 4 years
,E. 5 years
E. 5 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: The PERC is valid for five years from the date of issuance.
Security employees must renew their card before it expires to remain legally
employed in the security industry in Illinois.
5. Under Illinois law, which of the following best defines a "security
contractor"?
A. A person who installs alarm systems exclusively
B. A person or agency that provides armed or unarmed security guard services for
a fee
C. A person who investigates insurance fraud
D. A government employee who monitors public areas
E. A person who provides IT security solutions
B. A person or agency that provides armed or unarmed security guard
services for a fee
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security,
Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004, a security contractor is defined as
an entity that provides security guard services to clients for compensation.
6. What training is required before a security officer in Illinois may carry a
firearm on duty?
A. Basic first aid training
B. Completion of a state-approved firearms training course
C. A college degree in criminal justice
D. Completion of a general security orientation
, E. No training is required
B. Completion of a state-approved firearms training course
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois law requires that armed security officers complete a
state-approved firearms training course and obtain the appropriate firearms
authorization before carrying a weapon on duty.
7. What document must an Illinois security officer carry while on duty?
A. Their state driver's license only
B. Their employer's business license
C. Their Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)
D. A notarized letter from their employer
E. A copy of the Illinois Security Act
C. Their Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois law mandates that security officers carry their PERC
while on duty and present it upon request to law enforcement or authorized
personnel.
8. Which of the following actions by a security officer would be considered an
abuse of authority?
A. Detaining a shoplifter for a reasonable time
B. Asking a visitor to show identification
C. Physically assaulting a trespasser without justification
D. Reporting suspicious activity to police
E. Conducting a patrol of the premises
C. Physically assaulting a trespasser without justification
