Is there a national security guard licence in Switzerland?

No. Each canton sets its own rules. Six French-speaking cantons share one concordat, while cantons such as Zurich, Bern and Ticino have their own laws.

Is there an official written exam for security guards?

It depends on the canton. Ticino has the CPSicur exam. In the CES cantons, Zurich and Bern, the employer must train staff and, in the CES cantons, confirm training with written tests. This practice test is a knowledge check, not a copy of any official exam.

How many questions does the real test have?

There is no single official test, so there is no national question count or time limit. The mock exam here uses 40 questions and a 75% pass line as practice only.

Who applies for my security authorisation?

In the CES cantons, your employer applies for your agent card to the police of the canton where the firm is based. In Zurich and Bern, the company checks that you meet the personal requirements.

Can a security guard arrest someone in Switzerland?

Only like any private person: if police cannot come in time and the person was caught committing a felony or misdemeanour, or the public was asked to help find them. Force must be a proportionate last resort, and the person must be handed to police quickly.

How much training do new security guards get?

The industry's collective agreement sets at least 20 hours of basic training. Bern requires it within three months; Zurich requires training before deployment.

Switzerland Security Guard Knowledge Test 2026

Question 1 of 25

Who mainly sets the licensing rules for private security work in Switzerland?

The Swiss Armed Forces
One federal security licence office in Bern
The cantons, so the rules differ from canton to canton
Each security company sets its own licence rules

Show answer

Answer: C. The cantons, so the rules differ from canton to canton

There is no single national security licence. Each canton, or a group of cantons in a concordat, decides how security firms and staff are licensed.

Question 2 of 25

Which cantons belong to the Concordat on security companies (Concordat sur les entreprises de sécurité, CES)?

Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud
All 26 cantons
Ticino, Graubünden, Uri, Schwyz, Glarus and Valais
Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Zug, Aargau and Basel

Show answer

Answer: A. Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud

The CES of 18 October 1996 links the six French-speaking cantons. Authorisations under it work across all six.

Question 3 of 25

What happened to the 2010 concordat on private security services for German-speaking cantons (KÜPS)?

It was suspended and never came into force
It became a federal law in 2015
It replaced all cantonal laws in 2012
It now applies in every canton

Show answer

Answer: A. It was suspended and never came into force

Too few cantons joined, so the cantonal justice and police directors suspended it. Basel-Stadt decided to leave and kept its own rules.

Question 4 of 25

Under the CES, who applies for a security agent's authorisation?

The client who buys the service
The agent, at a federal office
The agent's home municipality
The employer that hires the agent

Show answer

Answer: D. The employer that hires the agent

The employer applies to the police of the canton where it is based and is treated as the real holder of the authorisation.

Question 5 of 25

How long is a CES agent authorisation normally valid?

One year
Ten years
Four years
Two years

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Answer: C. Four years

Company and agent authorisations under the CES are in principle valid for four years and can be renewed.

Question 6 of 25

An agent holds an authorisation issued in Vaud. Where is it valid?

Only in Vaud
Only in Vaud and Geneva
In all six concordat cantons
In all 26 cantons

Show answer

Answer: C. In all six concordat cantons

An authorisation from one CES canton is recognised by the other concordat cantons.

Question 7 of 25

A CES agent works for two security companies. How many agent cards (cartes de légitimation) do they need?

No card is needed for part-time work
One card covers both jobs
One card for each employer
One card from each canton they work in

Show answer

Answer: C. One card for each employer

The card is tied to a specific employer whose name is on it, so an agent with two employers needs two cards.

Question 8 of 25

Under the CES, when must an agent show their card?

Only in court
When police or a person they deal with on duty asks to see it
Only once a year to the employer
Never, it stays at the office

Show answer

Answer: B. When police or a person they deal with on duty asks to see it

Agents must show their card on simple request to the police or anyone they deal with while working.

Question 9 of 25

Which activity is covered by the CES?

Cleaning offices at night
Driving a taxi
Protecting persons, such as bodyguard work
Selling cinema tickets

Show answer

Answer: C. Protecting persons, such as bodyguard work

The concordat covers guarding property, protecting persons and the security transport of goods or valuables.

Question 10 of 25

Under the CES, which nationality or permit rule applies to agents?

Only people born in a concordat canton
Swiss, EU/EFTA, or another foreign national with a residence permit held for at least two years
Swiss citizens only
Any person with a tourist visa

Show answer

Answer: B. Swiss, EU/EFTA, or another foreign national with a residence permit held for at least two years

Article 9 lists Swiss nationality, EU/EFTA nationality, or a settlement permit or residence permit held for at least two years.

Question 11 of 25

Under the CES, who must pass an exam on the applicable law?

Every client of the company
The person responsible for the security company and branch heads
No one; there are no exams
Only dog handlers

Show answer

Answer: B. The person responsible for the security company and branch heads

The concordat requires the person in charge of the company, and branch heads, to pass an exam on the relevant legislation.

Question 12 of 25

What minimum civil liability insurance must a CES security company have?

No insurance is required
CHF 5 million
CHF 50,000
CHF 500,000

Show answer

Answer: B. CHF 5 million

The concordat FAQ says the company must hold civil liability insurance of at least 5 million francs.

Question 13 of 25

Under the CES, what extra authorisation do security dog handlers need?

A separate authorisation, valid for two years, after an aptitude test of handler and dog
A veterinary diploma
A federal hunting licence
None, a normal agent card is enough

Show answer

Answer: A. A separate authorisation, valid for two years, after an aptitude test of handler and dog

Dog handlers need their own authorisation. It lasts two years and is based on a test of both the handler and the dog.

Question 14 of 25

Under the CES training directive, when must a new agent receive initial training?

Within the first three months, or before starting work if the job is shorter
Only after the first complaint
Within the first two years
Before the age of 25

Show answer

Answer: A. Within the first three months, or before starting work if the job is shorter

Initial training covers the concordat and the Criminal Code rules on self-defence and necessity, and must happen in the first three months.

Question 15 of 25

How often must CES agents receive continuing training?

At least once a year
Only when they change employer
Once every ten years
Never after initial training

Show answer

Answer: A. At least once a year

The directive requires at least one training session per year, chosen to fit the agent's needs.

Question 16 of 25

Under the CES directive, when is the full initial training repeated?

Around each four-year renewal of the authorisation
Only if the agent fails a test
Every month
Never

Show answer

Answer: A. Around each four-year renewal of the authorisation

The initial training must be repeated in full within three months before or after the four-year renewal.

Question 17 of 25

How does a CES security company prove that training was understood?

With a police interview
With a written control test in each subject
With a photo of the class
With a signed statement from the client

Show answer

Answer: B. With a written control test in each subject

Success in each area must be confirmed by a written test, and attestations go to the authority by 31 December each year.

Question 18 of 25

Under the CES, when may a security agent use force?

Only within the limits of lawful self-defence and necessity
Whenever a person refuses to show ID
Whenever the agent feels insulted
Whenever a client orders it

Show answer

Answer: A. Only within the limits of lawful self-defence and necessity

Article 15 limits the use of force to legitimate defence and a state of necessity. Agents have no special powers.

Question 19 of 25

A CES agent learns of a serious offence that police prosecute on their own initiative. What must the agent do?

Investigate alone first
Report it to the authorities without delay
Wait for the end of the contract
Keep it secret for the client

Show answer

Answer: B. Report it to the authorities without delay

Article 17 says offences prosecuted ex officio must be reported without delay.

Question 20 of 25

What rule applies to security uniforms and vehicles in the CES cantons?

They must say 'Police' on the back
They must copy police colours
They must be clearly different from police uniforms and vehicles
They must carry blue lights

Show answer

Answer: C. They must be clearly different from police uniforms and vehicles

Uniforms, vehicle markings and equipment must not be confused with cantonal or local police and need approval.

Question 21 of 25

How must an armed agent carry a weapon on public roads in the CES cantons?

Out of sight
Openly in the hand
Loaded and pointed forward
On the vehicle roof

Show answer

Answer: A. Out of sight

Article 21 says weapons must be carried out of sight on public roads and in places open to the public.

Question 22 of 25

What may a CES security company's business card or advert NOT do?

Show a phone number
List the services offered
Show the company's address
Suggest that the company has an official police function

Show answer

Answer: D. Suggest that the company has an official police function

Advertising must not suggest an official role and must not play on people's feelings of insecurity.

Question 23 of 25

Do private security agents have special powers over other people?

Yes, the same powers as police
No, they have the same rights as any other person
Yes, they can search anyone at any time
Yes, they can fine people

Show answer

Answer: B. No, they have the same rights as any other person

The concordat FAQ states that agents have no special powers over other citizens.

Question 24 of 25

In canton Zurich, which law contains the main rules on private security services?

The cantonal Police Act (Polizeigesetz)
The Swiss Civil Code
The Federal Road Traffic Act
The Federal Hunting Act

Show answer

Answer: A. The cantonal Police Act (Polizeigesetz)

Zurich regulates private security services in the Police Act. Bar doormen employed directly by the bar fall under hospitality law.

Question 25 of 25

Who needs a company permit (Betriebsbewilligung) for security services in canton Zurich?

Anyone providing security services there commercially, wherever the firm is based
Only firms based in Zurich city
Only firms with more than 100 staff
Only unpaid volunteers

Show answer

Answer: A. Anyone providing security services there commercially, wherever the firm is based

Every person or company offering security services commercially in the canton needs a permit, unless a valid permit from another canton covers the work.

Switzerland Security Guard Knowledge Test 2026

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