BUREAU OF SECURITY AND INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES
BSIS Firearm Written Exam
Official Practice Exam - 2026/2027 Edition
California Exposed Firearm Permit
QUESTIONS MINUTES PASSING SCORE RECERTIFICATION
75 90 80% Biennial
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Moral and Legal Aspects ........................ Questions 1 - 23
Section 2: Firearms and Shooting Principles ......... Questions 24 - 42
Section 3: Firearms Safety and Handling ............... Questions 43 - 61
Section 4: Emergency Procedures .......................... Questions 62 - 75
INSTRUCTIONS
This practice exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections. You have 90 minutes to
complete the exam. A passing score of 80% (60 correct answers out of 75) is required. Read each question
carefully, noting the scenario presented before selecting your answer. Choose the BEST answer for each
question. Mark your answers on a separate answer sheet. Review your answers before submitting. Good luck!
California Exposed Firearm Permit | BSIS Certification | 2026/2027 Edition
BSIS Firearm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1
,Section 1: Moral and Legal Aspects -- 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 75
A 34-year-old security guard is stationed at a retail store when a shoplifter attempts to flee
with stolen merchandise valued at $200. The guard draws his firearm and commands the
suspect to stop. Under California law, this use of the firearm is most likely considered
what?
A. Brandishing a firearm in violation of PC 417
B. Justifiable use of force under PC 198.5
C. Lawful citizen arrest authority under PC 837
D. Acceptable force under BSIS regulations
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
California Penal Code 417 prohibits drawing or exhibiting a firearm in a rude, angry, or threatening
manner unless in lawful self-defense. Shoplifting $200 in merchandise does not constitute a threat of
death or great bodily injury, so drawing a firearm is excessive and qualifies as brandishing. PC 198.5
applies only to home invasion defense, and PC 837 citizen arrest authority does not justify deadly force
for minor theft.
BSIS Firearm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2
,Q2 Question 2 of 75
A security officer working at a construction site observes an unarmed trespasser walking
through the property at night. The officer verbally challenges the individual, who refuses to
leave and walks toward the officer aggressively with clenched fists raised. The officer
draws his firearm but does not point it at the trespasser. Is this action legally defensible?
A. Yes, because the trespasser was advancing aggressively toward the officer
B. No, because drawing a firearm requires an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm
C. Yes, under the castle doctrine of California law
D. No, because the trespasser was unarmed and had not committed a felony
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Under California law, a security officer may only draw a firearm when there is an imminent threat of death
or great bodily harm. An unarmed trespasser with clenched fists does not meet this threshold. The castle
doctrine applies to dwellings, not construction sites. The officer should have used lesser force or
retreated to a safe position and called law enforcement.
Q3 Question 3 of 75
During a late-night patrol of a warehouse complex, a 28-year-old armed security officer
encounters an intruder who produces a knife and lunges toward the officer from
approximately ten feet away. The officer fires two rounds, striking the intruder. Under
California law, which legal doctrine most directly supports the officer's use of deadly force?
A. The reasonable belief standard for self-defense
B. The duty to retreat doctrine requiring withdrawal before force
C. The citizen arrest statute PC 837
D. The BSIS use-of-force continuum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
California self-defense law allows the use of deadly force when a person reasonably believes they are in
imminent danger of death or great bodily harm. An assailant lunging with a knife from ten feet away
constitutes a reasonable threat of great bodily harm. California does not impose a duty to retreat in such
circumstances. PC 837 governs citizen arrests, not use of force.
BSIS Firearm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3
, Q4 Question 4 of 75
A security guard at a shopping mall uses excessive force during an arrest, causing serious
injury to a suspect. The guard's employer is subsequently sued for damages. Under what
legal doctrine may the employer be held liable for the guard's actions?
A. Respondent superior and vicarious liability
B. Assumption of risk doctrine
C. Contributory negligence doctrine
D. Strict liability for firearms use
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful
acts of an employee committed within the scope of employment. Since the guard was performing security
duties when excessive force was used, the employer may be liable. Assumption of risk applies to
voluntary participants, and contributory negligence involves the plaintiff's own negligence.
Q5 Question 5 of 75
A licensed security guard with a valid exposed firearm permit is asked by his employer to
carry a concealed firearm while on duty at a bank. The guard has only an exposed firearm
permit, not a concealed carry permit. What should the guard do under BSIS regulations?
A. Refuse to carry concealed and only carry the firearm exposed as permitted by his BSIS
permit
B. Carry concealed as directed since the employer has authority over duty assignments
C. Request a written order from the employer to override the permit limitation
D. Carry concealed temporarily until a concealed permit can be obtained
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A BSIS exposed firearm permit authorizes the guard to carry a firearm only in an exposed manner.
Carrying concealed requires a separate concealed weapon permit issued by local law enforcement. An
employer cannot override BSIS permit limitations, and a written order does not change legal
requirements. Violating the terms could result in permit revocation and criminal charges.
BSIS Firearm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4
BSIS Firearm Written Exam
Official Practice Exam - 2026/2027 Edition
California Exposed Firearm Permit
QUESTIONS MINUTES PASSING SCORE RECERTIFICATION
75 90 80% Biennial
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Moral and Legal Aspects ........................ Questions 1 - 23
Section 2: Firearms and Shooting Principles ......... Questions 24 - 42
Section 3: Firearms Safety and Handling ............... Questions 43 - 61
Section 4: Emergency Procedures .......................... Questions 62 - 75
INSTRUCTIONS
This practice exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections. You have 90 minutes to
complete the exam. A passing score of 80% (60 correct answers out of 75) is required. Read each question
carefully, noting the scenario presented before selecting your answer. Choose the BEST answer for each
question. Mark your answers on a separate answer sheet. Review your answers before submitting. Good luck!
California Exposed Firearm Permit | BSIS Certification | 2026/2027 Edition
BSIS Firearm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1
,Section 1: Moral and Legal Aspects -- 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 75
A 34-year-old security guard is stationed at a retail store when a shoplifter attempts to flee
with stolen merchandise valued at $200. The guard draws his firearm and commands the
suspect to stop. Under California law, this use of the firearm is most likely considered
what?
A. Brandishing a firearm in violation of PC 417
B. Justifiable use of force under PC 198.5
C. Lawful citizen arrest authority under PC 837
D. Acceptable force under BSIS regulations
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
California Penal Code 417 prohibits drawing or exhibiting a firearm in a rude, angry, or threatening
manner unless in lawful self-defense. Shoplifting $200 in merchandise does not constitute a threat of
death or great bodily injury, so drawing a firearm is excessive and qualifies as brandishing. PC 198.5
applies only to home invasion defense, and PC 837 citizen arrest authority does not justify deadly force
for minor theft.
BSIS Firearm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2
,Q2 Question 2 of 75
A security officer working at a construction site observes an unarmed trespasser walking
through the property at night. The officer verbally challenges the individual, who refuses to
leave and walks toward the officer aggressively with clenched fists raised. The officer
draws his firearm but does not point it at the trespasser. Is this action legally defensible?
A. Yes, because the trespasser was advancing aggressively toward the officer
B. No, because drawing a firearm requires an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm
C. Yes, under the castle doctrine of California law
D. No, because the trespasser was unarmed and had not committed a felony
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Under California law, a security officer may only draw a firearm when there is an imminent threat of death
or great bodily harm. An unarmed trespasser with clenched fists does not meet this threshold. The castle
doctrine applies to dwellings, not construction sites. The officer should have used lesser force or
retreated to a safe position and called law enforcement.
Q3 Question 3 of 75
During a late-night patrol of a warehouse complex, a 28-year-old armed security officer
encounters an intruder who produces a knife and lunges toward the officer from
approximately ten feet away. The officer fires two rounds, striking the intruder. Under
California law, which legal doctrine most directly supports the officer's use of deadly force?
A. The reasonable belief standard for self-defense
B. The duty to retreat doctrine requiring withdrawal before force
C. The citizen arrest statute PC 837
D. The BSIS use-of-force continuum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
California self-defense law allows the use of deadly force when a person reasonably believes they are in
imminent danger of death or great bodily harm. An assailant lunging with a knife from ten feet away
constitutes a reasonable threat of great bodily harm. California does not impose a duty to retreat in such
circumstances. PC 837 governs citizen arrests, not use of force.
BSIS Firearm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3
, Q4 Question 4 of 75
A security guard at a shopping mall uses excessive force during an arrest, causing serious
injury to a suspect. The guard's employer is subsequently sued for damages. Under what
legal doctrine may the employer be held liable for the guard's actions?
A. Respondent superior and vicarious liability
B. Assumption of risk doctrine
C. Contributory negligence doctrine
D. Strict liability for firearms use
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful
acts of an employee committed within the scope of employment. Since the guard was performing security
duties when excessive force was used, the employer may be liable. Assumption of risk applies to
voluntary participants, and contributory negligence involves the plaintiff's own negligence.
Q5 Question 5 of 75
A licensed security guard with a valid exposed firearm permit is asked by his employer to
carry a concealed firearm while on duty at a bank. The guard has only an exposed firearm
permit, not a concealed carry permit. What should the guard do under BSIS regulations?
A. Refuse to carry concealed and only carry the firearm exposed as permitted by his BSIS
permit
B. Carry concealed as directed since the employer has authority over duty assignments
C. Request a written order from the employer to override the permit limitation
D. Carry concealed temporarily until a concealed permit can be obtained
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A BSIS exposed firearm permit authorizes the guard to carry a firearm only in an exposed manner.
Carrying concealed requires a separate concealed weapon permit issued by local law enforcement. An
employer cannot override BSIS permit limitations, and a written order does not change legal
requirements. Violating the terms could result in permit revocation and criminal charges.
BSIS Firearm Exam -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4
