Switzerland Security Guard Knowledge Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 35

   In canton Zurich, which task does NOT count as a security service needing a permit?

   • AChecking tickets at an event
   • BProtecting a person
   • CGuarding a building at night
   • DRunning a patrol service
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Checking tickets at an event

   Zurich lists ticket checks, cash desk work and visitor guidance as activities that are not security services.

2. Question 2 of 35

   A doorman is employed directly by a bar in canton Zurich. Which rules apply?

   • AThe Federal Weapons Act only
   • BThe hospitality law (Gastgewerbegesetz), enforced by the municipality
   • CThe CES concordat
   • DNo rules at all
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The hospitality law (Gastgewerbegesetz), enforced by the municipality

   Doormen hired directly by a bar or restaurant fall under hospitality law. A private firm hired by the bar still needs its own permit.

3. Question 3 of 35

   What liability insurance must a security company have for a Zurich permit?

   • ACHF 10,000 in total
   • BNo insurance is needed
   • CCHF 100,000 per year
   • DAt least CHF 3 million per loss event
   Show answer

   Answer: D. At least CHF 3 million per loss event

   Zurich requires business liability insurance of at least 3 million francs per loss event.

4. Question 4 of 35

   Which nationality or permit rule applies to security employees in canton Zurich?

   • ASwiss citizens only
   • BOnly residents of Zurich city
   • CSwiss, EU/EFTA citizen, or holder of a C permit
   • DAny visitor with a passport
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Swiss, EU/EFTA citizen, or holder of a C permit

   Zurich lists Swiss citizenship, EU/EFTA citizenship or a settlement permit (C permit) for employees.

5. Question 5 of 35

   In canton Zurich, who is responsible for the content and amount of a guard's training?

   • AThe security company
   • BThe federal army
   • CThe client
   • DThe guard's family
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The security company

   The company decides the training, which must fit the job and be done before the guard is deployed.

6. Question 6 of 35

   Under the collective labour agreement (GAV) for private security services, how long is basic training at minimum?

   • A2 hours
   • B20 hours
   • C1,000 hours
   • D200 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 20 hours

   The generally binding GAV sets at least 20 hours of basic training. Zurich and Bern refer to this minimum.

7. Question 7 of 35

   What must security firms in Zurich avoid in how staff look and act?

   • AWriting reports
   • BBeing polite to the public
   • CAnything that could make people think they are police officers
   • DWearing name badges
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Anything that could make people think they are police officers

   Firms and staff must not cause confusion with the police and must keep police-related information confidential.

8. Question 8 of 35

   Which law regulates private security services in canton Bern?

   • AThe Act on security services provided by private persons (SDPG) of 2018
   • BThe CES concordat
   • CThe Swiss Civil Code
   • DThe Federal Inland Navigation Act
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The Act on security services provided by private persons (SDPG) of 2018

   Bern's SDPG of 13 June 2018 and its ordinance (SDPV) set the rules for security firms and their staff.

9. Question 9 of 35

   In canton Bern, how soon must a new security employee finish basic training?

   • AWithin five years
   • BBefore the age of 30
   • CWithin three months of starting work
   • DThere is no deadline
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Within three months of starting work

   Article 12 SDPV sets three months. If the job lasts less than three months, training must be done before any security work.

10. Question 10 of 35

    In canton Bern, what may an employee do before finishing basic training?

    • AWork alone on night shifts
    • BWork only together with someone who has completed the training
    • CLead a team of guards
    • DCarry a firearm without a permit
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Work only together with someone who has completed the training

    Until basic training is complete, staff may only be deployed with a trained person.

11. Question 11 of 35

    How much continuing training does the Bern directive require each year?

    • AOne hour every ten years
    • BNone after basic training
    • CAt least once a year, lasting at least 5 hours
    • DTwo full weeks every month
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least once a year, lasting at least 5 hours

    The directive asks for annual refresher training of at least 5 hours that repeats key basic topics.

12. Question 12 of 35

    In canton Bern, how often must armed security staff complete the shooting programme?

    • AEvery ten years
    • BAt least twice a year
    • COnly when they buy a new weapon
    • DOnce in their whole career
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least twice a year

    Staff who carry firearms must complete the shooting programme at least twice a year.

13. Question 13 of 35

    In canton Bern, how recent must an employee's criminal record extract be?

    • AAny age is fine
    • BNo older than 3 months
    • CNo older than 10 years
    • DNo older than 5 years
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No older than 3 months

    The private criminal record extract must be no more than three months old and is checked by the managing person.

14. Question 14 of 35

    In canton Bern, who checks that security employees meet the personal requirements?

    • AThe managing person of the security company
    • BThe federal tax office
    • CThe client
    • DThe employee's neighbours
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The managing person of the security company

    Bern puts the responsibility on the company's managing person to check nationality, capacity to act and criminal record.

15. Question 15 of 35

    Which topic is part of basic training under the Bern directive?

    • AForeign languages
    • BTax accounting
    • CCar repair
    • DLegal knowledge such as self-defence, necessity and proportionality
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Legal knowledge such as self-defence, necessity and proportionality

    Basic training covers social skills, legal knowledge, first aid, industry knowledge, safety at work and the GAV.

16. Question 16 of 35

    Under the Bern directive, who may teach the first aid part of basic training?

    • AAny colleague
    • BOnly a qualified BLS-AED instructor
    • CThe client
    • DA police officer only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only a qualified BLS-AED instructor

    First aid covering basic life support, the recovery position and bleeding may only be taught by a BLS/AED instructor.

17. Question 17 of 35

    In canton Ticino, which certificate do private security agents normally need?

    • ACES card
    • BJagdpatent
    • CCPSicur
    • DSDPG permit
    Show answer

    Answer: C. CPSicur

    Ticino's training and exam rules for private security and investigation lead to the CPSicur certificates.

18. Question 18 of 35

    How long is the CPSicur I course in Ticino?

    • AThree years
    • B2 hours
    • CAbout 300 hours
    • D40 lessons of 45 minutes, about 30 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 40 lessons of 45 minutes, about 30 hours

    CPSicur I has 40 teaching units of 45 minutes each, which is about 30 hours.

19. Question 19 of 35

    What grade is needed to pass the CPSicur exam in Ticino?

    • AAt least 6 in one subject
    • BAt least 4 (on a scale of 1 to 6) in every subject
    • C50% overall
    • DAn average of 3
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least 4 (on a scale of 1 to 6) in every subject

    The exam is passed only if each subject gets a grade of 4 or higher.

20. Question 20 of 35

    Who organises the CPSicur courses and exams in Ticino?

    • AThe federal police
    • BEach security company alone
    • CThe Swiss Army
    • DThe Institute for continuing education (IFC), for the canton's education department
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Institute for continuing education (IFC), for the canton's education department

    The IFC runs the courses and exams on behalf of the cantonal Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS).

21. Question 21 of 35

    Which subject is examined orally in CPSicur I for security agents (profile A)?

    • AMarketing
    • BAccounting
    • CFirst aid
    • DBusiness planning
    Show answer

    Answer: C. First aid

    First aid is an oral exam, and candidates also need a BLS-AED certificate. Law and psychology are written exams.

22. Question 22 of 35

    A CPSicur candidate fails one subject. What do they retake?

    • ANothing; one fail does not count
    • BThe whole course from the start
    • CEvery subject on the same day
    • DOnly the subject with the failing grade, in a later session
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Only the subject with the failing grade, in a later session

    Only subjects with an insufficient grade are retaken, at least one month after the result for a first fail.

23. Question 23 of 35

    Under Article 15 of the Swiss Criminal Code, how may someone ward off an unlawful attack?

    • AOnly by calling a lawyer
    • BBy means that are reasonable in the circumstances
    • COnly after the attack is over
    • DBy any means at all
    Show answer

    Answer: B. By means that are reasonable in the circumstances

    Lawful self-defence allows defence that is reasonable for the situation. Excessive defence can be punished.

24. Question 24 of 35

    May a security guard defend a member of the public who is being attacked?

    • AOnly with written permission
    • BNo, only the victim may act
    • COnly if the guard is armed
    • DYes, self-defence also allows defending another person
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Yes, self-defence also allows defending another person

    Article 15 of the Criminal Code allows the person attacked or any other person to ward off the attack.

25. Question 25 of 35

    Under Article 218 of the Swiss Criminal Procedure Code, when may a private person arrest someone?

    • AWhenever someone looks suspicious
    • BFor any minor offence such as littering
    • CWhen police help cannot be obtained in time and the person was caught committing a felony or misdemeanour
    • DOnly if the person is a foreign national
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When police help cannot be obtained in time and the person was caught committing a felony or misdemeanour

    A private person may arrest someone caught in the act, or just after, or someone the public was asked to help find, if police cannot come in time.

26. Question 26 of 35

    What must happen after a private person arrests someone?

    • AThe person is released after paying the guard
    • BThe person must be handed over to the police as quickly as possible
    • CThe person is questioned for several hours first
    • DThe person is held overnight on site
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The person must be handed over to the police as quickly as possible

    Article 218 says arrested persons must be handed to the police as quickly as possible.

27. Question 27 of 35

    Under Article 218 of the Criminal Procedure Code, what force may a private person use when arresting?

    • AOnly force within the limits of Article 200: a last resort, and proportionate
    • BOnly weapons
    • CAny force the guard chooses
    • DForce is never allowed in any case
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only force within the limits of Article 200: a last resort, and proportionate

    Article 200 allows force only as a last resort, and it must be proportionate.

28. Question 28 of 35

    Under Article 186 of the Swiss Criminal Code, unlawful entry (Hausfriedensbruch) is usually prosecuted only if...

    • Athe lawful occupant files a complaint
    • Ba security guard decides so
    • Cthe property is in a city
    • Dthe person is caught twice
    Show answer

    Answer: A. the lawful occupant files a complaint

    Unlawful entry is an offence prosecuted on complaint. It includes staying after the lawful occupants ask you to leave.

29. Question 29 of 35

    A person refuses to leave a clearly marked workplace after the lawful occupant asks them to go. What can this be?

    • AA traffic offence
    • BUnlawful entry under Article 186 of the Criminal Code
    • CNever an offence
    • DA tax offence
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Unlawful entry under Article 186 of the Criminal Code

    Article 186 covers entering against the occupant's will and also staying after being asked to leave.

30. Question 30 of 35

    Which Swiss law sets the rules for carrying a firearm in public?

    • AThe Federal Weapons Act (WG)
    • BThe Road Traffic Act
    • CThe Inland Navigation Act
    • DThe Hunting Act
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Federal Weapons Act (WG)

    Buying and carrying weapons is governed by federal weapons law. The CES refers to this law for security staff.

31. Question 31 of 35

    What must a person show to get a permit to carry a firearm (Waffentragbewilligung)?

    • AOnly a gym membership
    • BOnly a driving licence
    • COnly a job contract
    • DThat they passed an exam on handling the weapon and the legal rules for its use
    Show answer

    Answer: D. That they passed an exam on handling the weapon and the legal rules for its use

    Under the Weapons Act, a carrying permit needs a passed exam on safe handling and on the legal conditions for use.

32. Question 32 of 35

    Which number calls the police in Switzerland?

    • A144
    • B145
    • C117
    • D118
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 117

    117 is the police. 118 is the fire service, 144 is ambulance and 145 is Tox Info Suisse for poisoning.

33. Question 33 of 35

    Which number calls the fire service in Switzerland?

    • A1414
    • B117
    • C118
    • D145
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 118

    118 calls the fire service. 1414 is Rega, the air rescue service.

34. Question 34 of 35

    Since when has Switzerland's revised Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) been in force?

    • A1 January 1990
    • BIt has not been passed
    • C1 January 2030
    • D1 September 2023
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 1 September 2023

    The revised FADP came into force on 1 September 2023 and applies to personal data that security firms handle, such as video and visitor lists.

35. Question 35 of 35

    In canton Bern, which security staff working in a hotel or bar follow the same training rules as security firm staff?

    • AKitchen staff
    • BHospitality staff used as security, such as doormen
    • CGuests
    • DCleaning staff
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Hospitality staff used as security, such as doormen

    Under Article 21a of Bern's hospitality law, a business that uses its own staff as security must train them like security firm staff.

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

The real test: No single national exam. In the CES cantons, Zurich and Bern, the employer trains and tests staff. Ticino's CPSicur exam needs a grade of at least 4 (scale 1 to 6) in every subject.