Ireland Security Guard Practice Test (PSA) 2026

1. Question 1 of 20

   Which body licenses and regulates the private security industry in Ireland?

   • AThe Private Security Authority (PSA)
   • BThe Health and Safety Authority
   • CThe Data Protection Commission
   • DAn Garda Síochána
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The Private Security Authority (PSA)

   The PSA was set up under the Private Security Services Act 2004 to license and regulate private security providers.

2. Question 2 of 20

   Which Act set up the Private Security Authority?

   • AThe Data Protection Act 2018
   • BThe Criminal Law Act 1997
   • CThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
   • DThe Private Security Services Act 2004
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The Private Security Services Act 2004

   The Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, created the PSA and the licensing system for security work.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Under the Private Security Services Act 2004, the PSA must refuse a licence to an individual who is:

   • ANot an Irish citizen
   • BUnder 18 years of age
   • COver 50 years of age
   • DNot a member of a trade union
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Under 18 years of age

   Section 22(3) says the PSA must refuse a licence if the applicant is under 18, is not a fit and proper person, does not comply with the Act or has not paid the fee.

4. Question 4 of 20

   Under section 22 of the Private Security Services Act 2004, an individual's licence can be refused if the PSA is satisfied that the person:

   • AHas not worked in a paid security job at any time in the last five years
   • BDoes not own a car
   • CLives outside Dublin
   • DIs not a fit and proper person to provide a security service
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Is not a fit and proper person to provide a security service

   Being a fit and proper person is a key test for every PSA licence.

5. Question 5 of 20

   Under the Private Security Services Act 2004, how long does a licence stay in force, unless a longer period is set by regulations?

   • A1 year from the date it is issued
   • B5 years from the date it is issued
   • C2 years from the date it is issued
   • DFor as long as the guard is employed
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   Answer: C. 2 years from the date it is issued

   Section 22(4) sets the licence period at 2 years from issue, unless it ends earlier or a longer period is prescribed.

6. Question 6 of 20

   Can a PSA licence be transferred to another person?

   • AYes, after one year
   • BNo, a licence cannot be transferred or assigned
   • CYes, to any family member
   • DYes, if the new holder's employer agrees and tells the PSA
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   Answer: B. No, a licence cannot be transferred or assigned

   Section 22(5) says a licence gives no property right and cannot be transferred, assigned or used as security.

7. Question 7 of 20

   Under the Private Security (Licensing and Qualifications) Regulations 2022, which qualification is required for a security guard (guarding) licence?

   • AQQI Level 4 Minor award 4N20604 Security Guarding Skills, or an equivalent
   • BA certificate from the Garda training college or from any other police service
   • CA QQI Level 8 honours degree in law
   • DA Leaving Certificate pass in any subject
   Show answer

   Answer: A. QQI Level 4 Minor award 4N20604 Security Guarding Skills, or an equivalent

   Regulation 6 of S.I. No. 574 of 2022 names QQI 4N20604 Security Guarding Skills, or a qualification the PSA considers equivalent.

8. Question 8 of 20

   Which QQI award is required for a door supervisor licence under the 2022 Regulations?

   • AA driving licence
   • B4N20604 Security Guarding Skills
   • CA QQI Level 5 award in Safety and Health at Work
   • D4N20611 Door Security Skills
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 4N20611 Door Security Skills

   Door supervisors need QQI Level 4 Minor award 4N20611 Door Security Skills, or an equivalent.

9. Question 9 of 20

   When did the Private Security (Licensing and Qualifications) Regulations 2022 come into operation?

   • A1 January 2026
   • B1 January 2004
   • C1 November 2022
   • D1 June 2018
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 1 November 2022

   The 2022 Regulations came into operation on 1 November 2022 and revoked the 2006 Regulations.

10. Question 10 of 20

    How is the QQI Security Guarding Skills award (4N20604) assessed?

    • AA physical fitness test only
    • BA single oral interview with a PSA inspector, with no written test
    • CA theory examination (50%) and a skills demonstration (50%)
    • DA written essay of 5,000 words
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A theory examination (50%) and a skills demonstration (50%)

    Learners must pass both the theory exam and the skills demonstration to achieve the award.

11. Question 11 of 20

    What overall mark is a Pass in a QQI Level 4 minor award such as Security Guarding Skills?

    • A50% to 64%
    • B70% to 79%
    • C90% to 100%
    • D40% to 49%
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 50% to 64%

    QQI grades are Pass 50–64%, Merit 65–79% and Distinction 80–100%.

12. Question 12 of 20

    What grade is a mark of 82% in the Security Guarding Skills award?

    • AFail
    • BMerit
    • CDistinction
    • DPass
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Distinction

    A mark of 80% to 100% is a Distinction.

13. Question 13 of 20

    What level of English does the QQI specification expect from learners whose first language is not English or Irish?

    • AAt least CEFR level B1
    • BA university degree in English
    • CCEFR level C2 only
    • DNo English at all
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least CEFR level B1

    The specification says non-native learners need at least B1 English, from a body listed in the PSA's training provider requirements.

14. Question 14 of 20

    Under section 4 of the Criminal Law Act 1997, any person may arrest without a warrant someone who is, or whom they reasonably suspect to be:

    • AOwing money to the business that they are guarding
    • BTalking loudly in a car park
    • CIn the act of committing an arrestable offence
    • DBreaking a shop's dress code
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    Answer: C. In the act of committing an arrestable offence

    Section 4 lets any person arrest someone in the act of committing an arrestable offence, or guilty of one that has been committed.

15. Question 15 of 20

    In Irish law, what is an "arrestable offence"?

    • AAn offence that can be punished by 5 years' imprisonment or more
    • BOnly offences committed at night
    • COnly traffic offences
    • DAny offence that can be punished by any prison sentence at all, however short
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    Answer: A. An offence that can be punished by 5 years' imprisonment or more

    The Criminal Law Act 1997 defines an arrestable offence by its maximum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment or more, and includes attempts.

16. Question 16 of 20

    Under section 4(4) of the Criminal Law Act 1997, when may a person who is not a Garda make an arrest?

    • AWhenever they see any offence, however minor
    • BOnly after a judge in the District Court has issued a warrant for that person's arrest
    • CWhen they reasonably suspect the person would otherwise avoid arrest by the Gardaí
    • DWhenever a customer or manager asks them to
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When they reasonably suspect the person would otherwise avoid arrest by the Gardaí

    A citizen's arrest is only allowed where there is reasonable cause to suspect the person would otherwise avoid arrest by a member of An Garda Síochána.

17. Question 17 of 20

    After a security guard makes a citizen's arrest, what does section 4(5) of the Criminal Law Act 1997 require?

    • AThe person must pay a fine on the spot
    • BThe person must be taken to the guard's employer for questioning first
    • CThe person must be handed over to the Gardaí as soon as practicable
    • DThe person must be held until the next morning
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    Answer: C. The person must be handed over to the Gardaí as soon as practicable

    A person arrested by someone other than a Garda must be transferred into Garda custody as soon as practicable.

18. Question 18 of 20

    Which law sets out when the use of force to protect people or property, or to prevent crime, is justified in Ireland?

    • AThe Data Protection Act 2018
    • BThe Road Traffic Act 1961
    • CThe Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997
    • DThe Private Security Services Act 2004
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997

    Sections 18 and 19 of the 1997 Act cover justifiable force, including force used to make or assist a lawful arrest.

19. Question 19 of 20

    Under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, how much force may be used?

    • AAs much force as needed to win the struggle
    • BNo force at all, in any situation
    • CAny level of force the client has approved in writing in the assignment instructions
    • DOnly force that is reasonable in the circumstances as they believe them to be
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    Answer: D. Only force that is reasonable in the circumstances as they believe them to be

    Force must be reasonable in the circumstances as the person believes them to be. Excessive force can be an assault.

20. Question 20 of 20

    Under section 18 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, force can be justified to protect another person's property from trespass when:

    • AThe guard wants to punish the trespasser
    • BThe guard is off duty and acting on their own, without any permission from the owner
    • CThe trespasser is simply walking past outside
    • DThe person acts with the authority of the property's owner and uses only reasonable force
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    Answer: D. The person acts with the authority of the property's owner and uses only reasonable force

    Section 18 allows reasonable force to protect another's property from trespass, with that person's authority, as well as to protect people and prevent crime.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: Pass is 50% or more, and both the theory exam and the skills demonstration must be passed