NZ Security Guard Test (Certificate of Approval) 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   Until when can people still be assessed against unit standards 27360 and 27361?

   • A1 January 2026
   • BThere is no end date
   • C31 December 2027
   • D31 December 2020
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 31 December 2027

   NZQA lists 31 December 2027 as the last date for assessment against these expiring standards.

2. Question 2 of 25

   You finish your training. What must you do to get a permanent badge instead of a temporary one?

   • AAsk your manager to sign your temporary badge
   • BNothing; it happens on its own
   • CSit a written exam at a police station
   • DUpload your NZQA record of achievement to the Authority
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Upload your NZQA record of achievement to the Authority

   After training, you upload your NZQA record of achievement so the Authority can replace your temporary badge.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Do you need to repeat the minimum training each time you renew your certificate?

   • AOnly if you change employer
   • BYes, every renewal
   • CNo, it is done once
   • DYes, every year
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No, it is done once

   The minimum training is completed once and does not need to be repeated to renew.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Why would someone apply for a temporary certificate of approval?

   • ASo they can work while they finish the required training
   • BTo work without any police checks
   • CTo replace a lost badge
   • DTo try security work for one day
   Show answer

   Answer: A. So they can work while they finish the required training

   A temporary certificate lets a new crowd controller, property guard or personal guard work while completing training.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How long does a temporary certificate of approval last?

   • A3 months
   • B5 years
   • C1 year
   • D7 days
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 3 months

   A temporary certificate lasts 3 months. If training is not finished by then, you must apply for another one.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Your temporary certificate is ending and you have not finished training. What should you do?

   • AApply for another temporary certificate (by mail)
   • BStop applying and wait 7 years
   • CBorrow a colleague's badge
   • DKeep working, because the old one stays valid
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Apply for another temporary certificate (by mail)

   A second temporary certificate must be applied for by mail if training is not finished.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which class of work is excluded from the minimum unit standard training?

   • APersonal guard
   • BCrowd controller
   • CProperty guard
   • DMonitoring officer
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Monitoring officer

   Remote monitoring from a control room is excluded from the minimum training rule and is its own class.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You trained as a security officer overseas. How can you find out if it counts in New Zealand?

   • AAssume it always counts
   • BIt never counts, so retrain fully
   • CAsk a customer at work
   • DCheck with NZQA or email the PSPLA
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Check with NZQA or email the PSPLA

   Overseas training should be checked with NZQA, or you can ask the PSPLA if it is equivalent.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which of these is a ground that can disqualify a person, no matter how long ago it happened?

   • AHaving a speeding ticket last year
   • BHaving ever been sentenced to imprisonment
   • CBeing born overseas
   • DChanging your home address
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Having ever been sentenced to imprisonment

   Ever having been sentenced to imprisonment is a disqualifying ground whenever it happened.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Convictions for dishonesty or violence can disqualify you if they happened within how many years?

    • A20 years
    • B3 years
    • C1 year
    • D7 years
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 7 years

    Convictions for offences such as theft, fraud, assault or violence within the last 7 years are grounds for disqualification.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Does having a disqualifying ground always mean your application is refused?

    • ANo, because grounds are never checked
    • BYes, it is always automatic
    • CYes, unless your employer pays a bond
    • DNo; you can ask the Authority to consider your situation and waive it
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No; you can ask the Authority to consider your situation and waive it

    The grounds are not automatic. You must declare and explain them, and you can ask the Authority to waive the disqualification.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What should you do if one of the disqualifying grounds applies to you?

    • ADeclare and explain it in your application
    • BApply under a different name
    • CWait for police to tell the Authority
    • DLeave it out and hope it is not found
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Declare and explain it in your application

    Applicants must declare any grounds that apply and may add evidence, such as references or course certificates.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Which of these is a listed disqualifying ground for an individual?

    • ABeing a student
    • BOwning a car
    • CBeing bankrupt
    • DHaving a tattoo
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Being bankrupt

    Being bankrupt, or subject to an assignment for the benefit of creditors, is a listed ground.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Your security certificate was cancelled 3 years ago. Why does this matter if you reapply?

    • AA licence or certificate cancelled in the last 7 years is a disqualifying ground
    • BYou must wait 30 years
    • CYou can only reapply as a monitoring officer
    • DIt does not matter at all
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A licence or certificate cancelled in the last 7 years is a disqualifying ground

    Having a licence or certificate cancelled within the last 7 years is one of the grounds.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A conviction for which of these, within the last 7 years, is a disqualifying ground?

    • ABreaching a restraining order
    • BFailing a driving test
    • COverdue library books
    • DA parking fine
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Breaching a restraining order

    Harassment, stalking and breaching restraining orders within the last 7 years are listed grounds.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How recent must the photo for your application be?

    • ATaken in the last 10 years
    • BTaken in the last 5 years
    • CAny photo of you
    • DTaken less than 6 months before you apply
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Taken less than 6 months before you apply

    The passport-style photo must be a good likeness and taken less than 6 months before you apply.

17. Question 17 of 25

    When may you wear a head covering in your application photo?

    • AOnly for religious or medical reasons
    • BOnly if it is a cap with a company logo
    • CWhenever you like
    • DNever, for any reason
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only for religious or medical reasons

    Head coverings are not allowed except for religious or medical reasons, and your whole face must be visible.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which of these is accepted as photo ID for your application?

    • AA New Zealand firearms licence
    • BA supermarket loyalty card
    • CA gym membership card
    • DA bank card
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A New Zealand firearms licence

    Accepted photo IDs are a passport, NZ driver licence, Kiwi Access Card or NZ firearms licence.

19. Question 19 of 25

    You use an overseas passport as your ID. What else must you provide?

    • AYour birth certificate only
    • BYour visa or other proof you can work in security in New Zealand
    • CA letter from your old school
    • DNothing else
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Your visa or other proof you can work in security in New Zealand

    An overseas passport must be supported by a visa or other evidence that you can work in security here.

20. Question 20 of 25

    You lose your security badge. What should you do?

    • AUse a colleague's badge
    • BApply for a replacement with the substitute licence or certificate form
    • CMake a copy at home
    • DKeep working without one
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Apply for a replacement with the substitute licence or certificate form

    Lost badges, licences or certificates are replaced by applying with the substitute form.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which change must you tell the Authority about?

    • AYour holiday plans
    • BA new phone case
    • CA change of favourite shift
    • DA change of your name or home address
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A change of your name or home address

    Certificate holders must tell the Authority about changes such as a new name or home address, or if they are no longer eligible.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What must licence holders send to the Authority every year, even if nothing has changed?

    • AA fresh police report
    • BA copy of their tax return
    • CA new photo
    • DAn annual return
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An annual return

    Licence holders must file an annual return each year.

23. Question 23 of 25

    The training standard 27364 lists duties of certificate holders. Which is one of them?

    • ACarrying a baton
    • BReporting to the Authority every week
    • CWearing a police-style hat
    • DWearing your certificate while you work and producing it when asked
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Wearing your certificate while you work and producing it when asked

    The range for certificate holder duties includes producing the certificate, wearing it and updating personal information.

24. Question 24 of 25

    In security, what does it mean to deter crime?

    • ATo repair a broken lock
    • BTo write a report
    • CTo catch someone after a crime
    • DTo discourage people from trying, for example through a visible guard presence
    Show answer

    Answer: D. To discourage people from trying, for example through a visible guard presence

    Deterring is about stopping a crime before it starts, often by being seen and being alert.

25. Question 25 of 25

    In security, what does delay mean?

    • AArriving late to a shift
    • BPostponing a patrol
    • CSlowing an intruder down so that help can arrive
    • DWaiting before writing a report
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slowing an intruder down so that help can arrive

    Barriers, locks and procedures delay an intruder, giving time for detection and response.

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

The real test: No single government exam. You must achieve unit standards 27364, 27360 and 27361 (or skill standards 40146, 40145 and 40147), 12 credits in total, through a training provider.