Page 1 of 152
Hawaii Private Detective Licensing Exam COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
Hawaii Private Detective Licensing Exam, structured as a comprehensive practice test with 150
questions. The format follows your requested style: summarized point-form coverage followed by MCQs
with rationales in random order.
Exam Coverage (Summarized Point Form)
• HRS Chapter 463: licensing, definitions, prohibited acts
• HAR Title 16, Chapter 97: administrative rules, renewals, bond
• Board of Private Detectives and Guards: role, authority, discipline
• Minimum age (21) and experience (4 years) requirements
• Surety bond ($5,000) and insurance (general liability + E&O)
• License renewal: every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years)
• Use of force: HRS Chapter 703 (justification, deadly force limits)
• Citizen’s arrest authority (HRS §803-3) vs. police powers
• Privacy laws: reasonable expectation of privacy, one-party consent for audio
• Surveillance limitations: no trespassing, no unauthorized tracking
• Evidence handling: chain of custody, lawful collection, preservation
• Report writing: objective, factual, detailed documentation
• Confidentiality and client record retention (minimum 5 years)
• Prohibited acts: impersonating law enforcement, suppressing evidence, unethical conduct
• Firearm carry: separate county permit required
• Background checks: fingerprinting, criminal history, HCJDC access
• Investigative techniques: skip tracing, public records, witness interviews
• Digital evidence: proper collection, chain of custody, admissibility
• Conflicts of interest and professional ethics
• Advertising rules: no false or misleading claims, no implied government authority
• Disciplinary grounds: suspension, revocation, fines
• Continuing education: 8 hours every 2 years
• DCCA/PVL role and Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) enforcement
• Exemptions: in-house investigators, attorneys, insurance adjusters (limited)
Questions 1–150 (Random Order, with Rationales)
Question 1
According to HRS Chapter 463, what is the minimum age requirement to obtain a private detective
license in Hawaii?
A) 18 years
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B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) 30 years
Answer: B – HRS §463-6 explicitly requires applicants to be at least 21 years of age .
Question 2
What is the minimum surety bond amount required for a private detective agency in Hawaii?
A) $1,000
B) $3,000
C) $5,000
D) $10,000
Answer: C – HRS Chapter 463 mandates a $5,000 surety bond to protect clients and the public .
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Question 3
Which Hawaii state agency regulates private detectives and guards?
A) Department of Public Safety
B) Honolulu Police Department
C) Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
D) Attorney General's Office
Answer: C – The DCCA’s Board of Private Detectives and Guards regulates licensing and enforcement
under HRS Chapter 463 .
Question 4
Under Hawaii law, how many years of compensated investigative experience are required for a private
detective license?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
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C) 4 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C – Applicants must have at least four years of investigative experience within the preceding
ten years, or equivalent law enforcement experience .
Question 5
What is the passing score for the written private detective exam according to HAR Title 16, Chapter 97?
A) 50%
B) 60%
C) 70%
D) 80%
Answer: C – A score of 70% is required to pass the written examination .
Hawaii Private Detective Licensing Exam COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
Hawaii Private Detective Licensing Exam, structured as a comprehensive practice test with 150
questions. The format follows your requested style: summarized point-form coverage followed by MCQs
with rationales in random order.
Exam Coverage (Summarized Point Form)
• HRS Chapter 463: licensing, definitions, prohibited acts
• HAR Title 16, Chapter 97: administrative rules, renewals, bond
• Board of Private Detectives and Guards: role, authority, discipline
• Minimum age (21) and experience (4 years) requirements
• Surety bond ($5,000) and insurance (general liability + E&O)
• License renewal: every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years)
• Use of force: HRS Chapter 703 (justification, deadly force limits)
• Citizen’s arrest authority (HRS §803-3) vs. police powers
• Privacy laws: reasonable expectation of privacy, one-party consent for audio
• Surveillance limitations: no trespassing, no unauthorized tracking
• Evidence handling: chain of custody, lawful collection, preservation
• Report writing: objective, factual, detailed documentation
• Confidentiality and client record retention (minimum 5 years)
• Prohibited acts: impersonating law enforcement, suppressing evidence, unethical conduct
• Firearm carry: separate county permit required
• Background checks: fingerprinting, criminal history, HCJDC access
• Investigative techniques: skip tracing, public records, witness interviews
• Digital evidence: proper collection, chain of custody, admissibility
• Conflicts of interest and professional ethics
• Advertising rules: no false or misleading claims, no implied government authority
• Disciplinary grounds: suspension, revocation, fines
• Continuing education: 8 hours every 2 years
• DCCA/PVL role and Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) enforcement
• Exemptions: in-house investigators, attorneys, insurance adjusters (limited)
Questions 1–150 (Random Order, with Rationales)
Question 1
According to HRS Chapter 463, what is the minimum age requirement to obtain a private detective
license in Hawaii?
A) 18 years
, Page 2 of 152
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) 30 years
Answer: B – HRS §463-6 explicitly requires applicants to be at least 21 years of age .
Question 2
What is the minimum surety bond amount required for a private detective agency in Hawaii?
A) $1,000
B) $3,000
C) $5,000
D) $10,000
Answer: C – HRS Chapter 463 mandates a $5,000 surety bond to protect clients and the public .
, Page 3 of 152
Question 3
Which Hawaii state agency regulates private detectives and guards?
A) Department of Public Safety
B) Honolulu Police Department
C) Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
D) Attorney General's Office
Answer: C – The DCCA’s Board of Private Detectives and Guards regulates licensing and enforcement
under HRS Chapter 463 .
Question 4
Under Hawaii law, how many years of compensated investigative experience are required for a private
detective license?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
, Page 4 of 152
C) 4 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C – Applicants must have at least four years of investigative experience within the preceding
ten years, or equivalent law enforcement experience .
Question 5
What is the passing score for the written private detective exam according to HAR Title 16, Chapter 97?
A) 50%
B) 60%
C) 70%
D) 80%
Answer: C – A score of 70% is required to pass the written examination .
