Texas Private Investigator License Exam Newest
2026-2027 Updated 100 Questions From Actual
Exams Complete Questions And Correct Detailed
Answers (Expert Verified Exam) |Already
Graded A+||Brand New!!
1. A private investigator is hired to follow a subject suspected of insurance fraud. Which
action is most legally appropriate?
A. Enter the suspect’s private home without permission
B. Follow the suspect in public spaces without harassment
C. Install a tracking device on the suspect’s car without consent
D. Obtain phone records without a subpoena
Correct answer: B
explanation: Surveillance in public spaces is generally legal if no
harassment or trespass occurs.
2. Which agency primarily regulates private investigators in Texas?
A. FBI
B. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
C. Texas Attorney General’s Office
D. Department of Homeland Security
Correct answer: B
explanation: The Texas DPS Private Security Bureau regulates
licensing.
3. A PI discovers evidence of a crime during an investigation. What should they do?
A. Hide the evidence
B. Destroy the evidence
C. Report it to law enforcement
D. Sell the evidence
Correct answer: C
explanation: Evidence of a crime must be reported appropriately.
4. Which of the following is considered illegal for a private investigator?
A. Conducting surveillance in a public park
B. Interviewing witnesses voluntarily
C. Trespassing on private property
D. Reviewing public records
Correct answer: C
explanation: Trespass is illegal regardless of intent.
5. A client asks a PI to wiretap a suspect’s phone. The PI should:
A. Proceed if the client insists
B. Refuse, as it is illegal without authorization
C. Record calls secretly
, D. Ask a friend to do it
Correct answer: B
explanation: Wiretapping without legal authority violates federal and
state law.
6. What is the primary purpose of a surveillance log?
A. To entertain clients
B. To document observations accurately
C. To hide investigator activity
D. To replace court testimony
Correct answer: B
explanation: Logs provide accurate documentation for legal use.
7. Which action could lead to PI license suspension?
A. Filing reports on time
B. Using legal surveillance methods
C. Falsifying investigation reports
D. Attending training courses
Correct answer: C
explanation: False reporting violates professional ethics and law.
8. What is required before a PI can operate legally in Texas?
A. High school diploma only
B. Federal clearance
C. State-issued license
D. Military background
Correct answer: C
explanation: A valid Texas PI license is mandatory.
9. A PI is asked to investigate a spouse suspected of cheating. The PI may:
A. Hack into email accounts
B. Conduct lawful surveillance in public
C. Break into the home
D. Install spyware
Correct answer: B
explanation: Public surveillance is allowed; hacking is illegal.
10. Which document is most important for PI accountability?
A. Social media posts
B. Investigation report
C. Personal diary
D. Advertising brochure
Correct answer: B
explanation: Reports document professional activity and findings.
11. A PI entering private property without permission risks:
A. Promotion
B. Trespassing charges
C. Tax benefits
D. Immunity
, Correct answer: B
explanation: Unauthorized entry is trespassing.
12. Which is a lawful PI activity?
A. Identity theft
B. Surveillance from public areas
C. Impersonating a police officer
D. Planting evidence
Correct answer: B
explanation: Observing from public space is lawful.
13. A client requests confidential information from government databases. The PI should:
A. Access illegally
B. Refuse the request
C. Hire hackers
D. Ignore laws
Correct answer: B
explanation: Illegal access is prohibited.
14. What is the main goal of ethics in private investigation?
A. Increase profit
B. Ensure lawful conduct
C. Avoid clients
D. Reduce work hours
Correct answer: B
explanation: Ethics ensure professional and legal behavior.
15. A PI must maintain records for:
A. Entertainment
B. Legal compliance and accountability
C. Social media
D. Marketing only
Correct answer: B
explanation: Records may be needed in court or audits.
16. Which situation requires immediate termination of investigation?
A. Client change of mind
B. Illegal activity request
C. Weather changes
D. Long travel distance
Correct answer: B
explanation: Illegal instructions must not be followed.
17. A PI witnesses a crime in progress. They should:
A. Join the activity
B. Report to authorities
C. Ignore it
D. Record for profit only
Correct answer: B
explanation: Reporting crime is a legal duty.
2026-2027 Updated 100 Questions From Actual
Exams Complete Questions And Correct Detailed
Answers (Expert Verified Exam) |Already
Graded A+||Brand New!!
1. A private investigator is hired to follow a subject suspected of insurance fraud. Which
action is most legally appropriate?
A. Enter the suspect’s private home without permission
B. Follow the suspect in public spaces without harassment
C. Install a tracking device on the suspect’s car without consent
D. Obtain phone records without a subpoena
Correct answer: B
explanation: Surveillance in public spaces is generally legal if no
harassment or trespass occurs.
2. Which agency primarily regulates private investigators in Texas?
A. FBI
B. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
C. Texas Attorney General’s Office
D. Department of Homeland Security
Correct answer: B
explanation: The Texas DPS Private Security Bureau regulates
licensing.
3. A PI discovers evidence of a crime during an investigation. What should they do?
A. Hide the evidence
B. Destroy the evidence
C. Report it to law enforcement
D. Sell the evidence
Correct answer: C
explanation: Evidence of a crime must be reported appropriately.
4. Which of the following is considered illegal for a private investigator?
A. Conducting surveillance in a public park
B. Interviewing witnesses voluntarily
C. Trespassing on private property
D. Reviewing public records
Correct answer: C
explanation: Trespass is illegal regardless of intent.
5. A client asks a PI to wiretap a suspect’s phone. The PI should:
A. Proceed if the client insists
B. Refuse, as it is illegal without authorization
C. Record calls secretly
, D. Ask a friend to do it
Correct answer: B
explanation: Wiretapping without legal authority violates federal and
state law.
6. What is the primary purpose of a surveillance log?
A. To entertain clients
B. To document observations accurately
C. To hide investigator activity
D. To replace court testimony
Correct answer: B
explanation: Logs provide accurate documentation for legal use.
7. Which action could lead to PI license suspension?
A. Filing reports on time
B. Using legal surveillance methods
C. Falsifying investigation reports
D. Attending training courses
Correct answer: C
explanation: False reporting violates professional ethics and law.
8. What is required before a PI can operate legally in Texas?
A. High school diploma only
B. Federal clearance
C. State-issued license
D. Military background
Correct answer: C
explanation: A valid Texas PI license is mandatory.
9. A PI is asked to investigate a spouse suspected of cheating. The PI may:
A. Hack into email accounts
B. Conduct lawful surveillance in public
C. Break into the home
D. Install spyware
Correct answer: B
explanation: Public surveillance is allowed; hacking is illegal.
10. Which document is most important for PI accountability?
A. Social media posts
B. Investigation report
C. Personal diary
D. Advertising brochure
Correct answer: B
explanation: Reports document professional activity and findings.
11. A PI entering private property without permission risks:
A. Promotion
B. Trespassing charges
C. Tax benefits
D. Immunity
, Correct answer: B
explanation: Unauthorized entry is trespassing.
12. Which is a lawful PI activity?
A. Identity theft
B. Surveillance from public areas
C. Impersonating a police officer
D. Planting evidence
Correct answer: B
explanation: Observing from public space is lawful.
13. A client requests confidential information from government databases. The PI should:
A. Access illegally
B. Refuse the request
C. Hire hackers
D. Ignore laws
Correct answer: B
explanation: Illegal access is prohibited.
14. What is the main goal of ethics in private investigation?
A. Increase profit
B. Ensure lawful conduct
C. Avoid clients
D. Reduce work hours
Correct answer: B
explanation: Ethics ensure professional and legal behavior.
15. A PI must maintain records for:
A. Entertainment
B. Legal compliance and accountability
C. Social media
D. Marketing only
Correct answer: B
explanation: Records may be needed in court or audits.
16. Which situation requires immediate termination of investigation?
A. Client change of mind
B. Illegal activity request
C. Weather changes
D. Long travel distance
Correct answer: B
explanation: Illegal instructions must not be followed.
17. A PI witnesses a crime in progress. They should:
A. Join the activity
B. Report to authorities
C. Ignore it
D. Record for profit only
Correct answer: B
explanation: Reporting crime is a legal duty.
