Private Patrol Operator Test Questions – 2026 – Study
Guide and Practice Material
Who, at BSIS, 'shall administer and enforce the rules'? - correct answer ✔✔ The Director of
Consumer Affairs
What is an "FQ Card'? - correct answer ✔✔ Firearms Qualification Card; exposed weapon carry
If a person without a PPO license offers security or protection services to the public, What type
of crime has been committed? - correct answer ✔✔ A misdemeanor violation of the B&P Code
What is the dollar fine for a misdemeanor violation of offering PPO services without a PPO
license? - correct answer ✔✔ $10,000
When, If ever, may a person licensed only as a PPO make an investigation? - correct answer ✔✔
If incidental to the theft, loss, embezzlement, misappropriation, concealment of any property
which he or she has been hired or engaged to watch to protect
What agencies other than BSIS are involved in regulating armored car companies? - correct
answer ✔✔ California Highway Patrol and Public Utilities
What do the initials 'B.S.I.S.' stand for? - correct answer ✔✔ Bureau of Security and
Investigative Services
Carrying a gun concealed under a shirt is usually what type of a crime? - correct answer ✔✔
Misdemeanor
,Carrying a set of 'brass knuckles' in your pocket is usually what type of crime? - correct answer
✔✔ Felony
How much imprisonment might come from a misdemeanor conviction? - correct answer ✔✔
Up to a year imprisonment
How much imprisonment might come from a felony conviction? - correct answer ✔✔ One year
or more imprisonment
If a person knowingly hires an unlicensed person to provide PPO services, What punishment
might that person receive? - correct answer ✔✔ For this misdemeanor, a fine of $5000 and/or
imprisonment of up to one year
If a person is convicted of providing PPO services without a license, he/she can not be issued a
PPO license for what time period following the conviction? - correct answer ✔✔ One year
If a person is convicted a second time of proving PPO services without a license, he/she can not
be issued a PPO license for what time period following this second conviction? - correct answer
✔✔ Five years
An applicant for a PPO license must be at least how old? - correct answer ✔✔ 18 years of age
Where must the PPO license be posted? - correct answer ✔✔ Posted in a conspicuous place in
the principal place of business
If the PPO license is not properly posted, what might the fine be? - correct answer ✔✔ $250
What two proofs of being licensed are sent to the PPO by the licensing bureau? - correct answer
✔✔ Large license for wall and a pocket card
, What do the letters "Q.M" stands for on a PPO by licensing bureau? - correct answer ✔✔
Qualified Manager
Is a PPO license 'assignable'? - correct answer ✔✔ No
Is a licensee required to at all times be legally responsible for the good conduct in the business
of all of his/her employees, agents, and managers? - correct answer ✔✔ Yes
Can the licensing bureau allow a PPO to conduct business under an additional fictitious business
name? - correct answer ✔✔ Yes
What is the cost of obtaining an additional fictitious business name or to change the PPO's
fictitious business name? - correct answer ✔✔ $75
Every advertisement of PPO must contain what pieces of information? - correct answer ✔✔
Company name, business address OR phone number, and license number
What fine might be assessed if a PPO's advertisement does not contain the 3 required pieces of
information - correct answer ✔✔ $250
When may a PPO or PPO's employees use a badge? - correct answer ✔✔ Only while engaged in
guard or patrol work, and while wearing a distinctive uniform
The shoulder patch required to be worn on a PPO's security uniforms must bear what 2 pieces
of information? - correct answer ✔✔ The words "Private Security", and the name of the Private
Patrol company by which the person is employed
Guide and Practice Material
Who, at BSIS, 'shall administer and enforce the rules'? - correct answer ✔✔ The Director of
Consumer Affairs
What is an "FQ Card'? - correct answer ✔✔ Firearms Qualification Card; exposed weapon carry
If a person without a PPO license offers security or protection services to the public, What type
of crime has been committed? - correct answer ✔✔ A misdemeanor violation of the B&P Code
What is the dollar fine for a misdemeanor violation of offering PPO services without a PPO
license? - correct answer ✔✔ $10,000
When, If ever, may a person licensed only as a PPO make an investigation? - correct answer ✔✔
If incidental to the theft, loss, embezzlement, misappropriation, concealment of any property
which he or she has been hired or engaged to watch to protect
What agencies other than BSIS are involved in regulating armored car companies? - correct
answer ✔✔ California Highway Patrol and Public Utilities
What do the initials 'B.S.I.S.' stand for? - correct answer ✔✔ Bureau of Security and
Investigative Services
Carrying a gun concealed under a shirt is usually what type of a crime? - correct answer ✔✔
Misdemeanor
,Carrying a set of 'brass knuckles' in your pocket is usually what type of crime? - correct answer
✔✔ Felony
How much imprisonment might come from a misdemeanor conviction? - correct answer ✔✔
Up to a year imprisonment
How much imprisonment might come from a felony conviction? - correct answer ✔✔ One year
or more imprisonment
If a person knowingly hires an unlicensed person to provide PPO services, What punishment
might that person receive? - correct answer ✔✔ For this misdemeanor, a fine of $5000 and/or
imprisonment of up to one year
If a person is convicted of providing PPO services without a license, he/she can not be issued a
PPO license for what time period following the conviction? - correct answer ✔✔ One year
If a person is convicted a second time of proving PPO services without a license, he/she can not
be issued a PPO license for what time period following this second conviction? - correct answer
✔✔ Five years
An applicant for a PPO license must be at least how old? - correct answer ✔✔ 18 years of age
Where must the PPO license be posted? - correct answer ✔✔ Posted in a conspicuous place in
the principal place of business
If the PPO license is not properly posted, what might the fine be? - correct answer ✔✔ $250
What two proofs of being licensed are sent to the PPO by the licensing bureau? - correct answer
✔✔ Large license for wall and a pocket card
, What do the letters "Q.M" stands for on a PPO by licensing bureau? - correct answer ✔✔
Qualified Manager
Is a PPO license 'assignable'? - correct answer ✔✔ No
Is a licensee required to at all times be legally responsible for the good conduct in the business
of all of his/her employees, agents, and managers? - correct answer ✔✔ Yes
Can the licensing bureau allow a PPO to conduct business under an additional fictitious business
name? - correct answer ✔✔ Yes
What is the cost of obtaining an additional fictitious business name or to change the PPO's
fictitious business name? - correct answer ✔✔ $75
Every advertisement of PPO must contain what pieces of information? - correct answer ✔✔
Company name, business address OR phone number, and license number
What fine might be assessed if a PPO's advertisement does not contain the 3 required pieces of
information - correct answer ✔✔ $250
When may a PPO or PPO's employees use a badge? - correct answer ✔✔ Only while engaged in
guard or patrol work, and while wearing a distinctive uniform
The shoulder patch required to be worn on a PPO's security uniforms must bear what 2 pieces
of information? - correct answer ✔✔ The words "Private Security", and the name of the Private
Patrol company by which the person is employed
