BSIS Firearm Written Exam – Test Bank – 2026/2027
Complete Questions and Answers for California
Security Guard Firearm Certification.
DOMAIN 1: California Firearm Laws & BSIS Regulations (14 Questions)
Question 1 (Multiple-Choice)
To be eligible for an initial BSIS Firearms Permit, an applicant must meet all of the following
requirements EXCEPT:
A) Be at least 18 years of age
B) Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent legal immigration status
C) Complete a criminal history background check through the FBI and DOJ
D) Hold a valid California Guard Card or other qualifying BSIS license
[CORRECT: A]
Rationale: According to BSIS regulations (BPC Sections 7542.2, 7583.23, and 7596.3), an
applicant must be at least 21 years of age to be eligible for a BSIS Firearms Permit—not 18. All
other options are mandatory requirements.
Question 2 (True/False)
A BSIS Security Guard registrant must pass the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16pf)
psychological assessment within six months prior to submitting a Firearms Permit Initial
Application.
A) True
B) False
[CORRECT: A]
Rationale: Per BPC Sections 7583.23 and 7583.47, the 16pf assessment must be completed and
passed within six months preceding the application submission date. This requirement became
effective January 1, 2022.
,Question 3 (Multiple-Choice)
Which of the following would DISQUALIFY an applicant from receiving a BSIS Firearms Permit?
A) Having a misdemeanor conviction for petty theft from five years ago
B) Being prohibited from owning or possessing any firearm under State or Federal law
C) Having an expired California Driver's License
D) Working fewer than 32 hours per week as a security guard
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: BPC Sections 7542.3, 7583.24, 7583.25, and 7596.8 explicitly prohibit issuance of a
Firearms Permit to any individual banned from owning or possessing firearms under State or
Federal law. This is an absolute disqualifier.
Sub-Topic: California Penal Code Sections Governing Security Guard Firearm Authority (4
Questions)
Question 4 (Multiple-Choice)
Under California Penal Code Section 25850, which of the following individuals is EXEMPT from
prosecution for carrying a loaded firearm in a public place while performing their duties?
A) An unlicensed private security officer working at a nightclub
B) A BSIS-registered security guard with a valid Exposed Firearm Permit, in uniform and on duty
C) A security guard carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW permit
D) A plainclothes security investigator without a BSIS Firearms Permit
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: Penal Code Section 25850 exempts BSIS-registered security guards with valid
Exposed Firearm Permits from prosecution for carrying a loaded firearm while on duty and in
uniform, as specified under PC 26030(a)(10).
Question 5 (True/False)
Under California Penal Code Section 25400, carrying a concealed firearm without a permit is
always charged as a misdemeanor, regardless of circumstances.
A) True
B) False
, [CORRECT: B]
Rationale: PC 25400 is a "wobbler" offense that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a
felony depending on aggravating factors, such as prior convictions, the firearm being stolen,
gang affiliation, or the defendant being prohibited from possessing firearms.
Question 6 (Multiple-Choice)
A security guard with a BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit is on patrol at a shopping mall. Under
California law, the guard may carry a loaded firearm:
A) Concealed under a jacket while in plainclothes
B) Exposed in a holster while wearing the required uniform
C) In the glove compartment of their personal vehicle while off-duty
D) On school grounds during a routine patrol
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: BPC Section 7582.26(i) requires that a security guard must wear a uniform complying
with Section 7582.27 when using or wearing an exposed firearm. The BSIS Exposed Firearm
Permit authorizes only exposed (open) carry while on duty in uniform. Concealed carry requires
a separate CCW permit.
Question 7 (Select-All-That-Apply)
Which of the following are true regarding a security guard's authority to carry a firearm under
California Penal Code Sections 25400–25850?
A) A BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit does NOT authorize concealed carry of a firearm
B) A security guard may carry a loaded firearm while traveling directly to or from work, provided
they are in full uniform
C) A security guard may carry a firearm on any private property without owner permission
D) If not in uniform, the firearm must be transported unloaded in a locked container
[CORRECT: A, B, D]
Rationale: Under PC 26030(a)(10), uniformed security guards may carry a loaded firearm while
traveling directly to/from work. The BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit does not authorize concealed
carry (a separate CCW permit is required). If not in uniform, PC 25610 requires the firearm be
transported unloaded in a locked container. Carrying on private property still requires lawful
authority and employer authorization.
Complete Questions and Answers for California
Security Guard Firearm Certification.
DOMAIN 1: California Firearm Laws & BSIS Regulations (14 Questions)
Question 1 (Multiple-Choice)
To be eligible for an initial BSIS Firearms Permit, an applicant must meet all of the following
requirements EXCEPT:
A) Be at least 18 years of age
B) Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent legal immigration status
C) Complete a criminal history background check through the FBI and DOJ
D) Hold a valid California Guard Card or other qualifying BSIS license
[CORRECT: A]
Rationale: According to BSIS regulations (BPC Sections 7542.2, 7583.23, and 7596.3), an
applicant must be at least 21 years of age to be eligible for a BSIS Firearms Permit—not 18. All
other options are mandatory requirements.
Question 2 (True/False)
A BSIS Security Guard registrant must pass the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16pf)
psychological assessment within six months prior to submitting a Firearms Permit Initial
Application.
A) True
B) False
[CORRECT: A]
Rationale: Per BPC Sections 7583.23 and 7583.47, the 16pf assessment must be completed and
passed within six months preceding the application submission date. This requirement became
effective January 1, 2022.
,Question 3 (Multiple-Choice)
Which of the following would DISQUALIFY an applicant from receiving a BSIS Firearms Permit?
A) Having a misdemeanor conviction for petty theft from five years ago
B) Being prohibited from owning or possessing any firearm under State or Federal law
C) Having an expired California Driver's License
D) Working fewer than 32 hours per week as a security guard
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: BPC Sections 7542.3, 7583.24, 7583.25, and 7596.8 explicitly prohibit issuance of a
Firearms Permit to any individual banned from owning or possessing firearms under State or
Federal law. This is an absolute disqualifier.
Sub-Topic: California Penal Code Sections Governing Security Guard Firearm Authority (4
Questions)
Question 4 (Multiple-Choice)
Under California Penal Code Section 25850, which of the following individuals is EXEMPT from
prosecution for carrying a loaded firearm in a public place while performing their duties?
A) An unlicensed private security officer working at a nightclub
B) A BSIS-registered security guard with a valid Exposed Firearm Permit, in uniform and on duty
C) A security guard carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW permit
D) A plainclothes security investigator without a BSIS Firearms Permit
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: Penal Code Section 25850 exempts BSIS-registered security guards with valid
Exposed Firearm Permits from prosecution for carrying a loaded firearm while on duty and in
uniform, as specified under PC 26030(a)(10).
Question 5 (True/False)
Under California Penal Code Section 25400, carrying a concealed firearm without a permit is
always charged as a misdemeanor, regardless of circumstances.
A) True
B) False
, [CORRECT: B]
Rationale: PC 25400 is a "wobbler" offense that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a
felony depending on aggravating factors, such as prior convictions, the firearm being stolen,
gang affiliation, or the defendant being prohibited from possessing firearms.
Question 6 (Multiple-Choice)
A security guard with a BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit is on patrol at a shopping mall. Under
California law, the guard may carry a loaded firearm:
A) Concealed under a jacket while in plainclothes
B) Exposed in a holster while wearing the required uniform
C) In the glove compartment of their personal vehicle while off-duty
D) On school grounds during a routine patrol
[CORRECT: B]
Rationale: BPC Section 7582.26(i) requires that a security guard must wear a uniform complying
with Section 7582.27 when using or wearing an exposed firearm. The BSIS Exposed Firearm
Permit authorizes only exposed (open) carry while on duty in uniform. Concealed carry requires
a separate CCW permit.
Question 7 (Select-All-That-Apply)
Which of the following are true regarding a security guard's authority to carry a firearm under
California Penal Code Sections 25400–25850?
A) A BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit does NOT authorize concealed carry of a firearm
B) A security guard may carry a loaded firearm while traveling directly to or from work, provided
they are in full uniform
C) A security guard may carry a firearm on any private property without owner permission
D) If not in uniform, the firearm must be transported unloaded in a locked container
[CORRECT: A, B, D]
Rationale: Under PC 26030(a)(10), uniformed security guards may carry a loaded firearm while
traveling directly to/from work. The BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit does not authorize concealed
carry (a separate CCW permit is required). If not in uniform, PC 25610 requires the firearm be
transported unloaded in a locked container. Carrying on private property still requires lawful
authority and employer authorization.
