SIA CCTV Operator Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   Which law created the Security Industry Authority (SIA)?

   • AThe Data Protection Act 2018
   • BThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
   • CThe Licensing Act 2003
   • DThe Private Security Industry Act 2001
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The Private Security Industry Act 2001

   The Private Security Industry Act 2001 set up the SIA to license individuals and regulate the private security industry across the UK.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which is one of the reasons listed in section 24A of PACE that can make a citizen's arrest necessary?

   • ATo check the person's age for the venue
   • BTo make the person apologise to the victim
   • CTo stop the person making off before a police officer can take over
   • DTo get the person's name, address and phone number for the incident report
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   Answer: C. To stop the person making off before a police officer can take over

   The listed reasons are to prevent the person causing injury to themselves or others, suffering injury, causing loss of or damage to property, or making off before a constable can assume responsibility.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What is the minimum age to hold an SIA front-line licence?

   • A21
   • B17
   • C16
   • D18
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   Answer: D. 18

   You must be 18 or over to apply for an SIA licence.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How many protected characteristics does the Equality Act 2010 list?

   • A5
   • B7
   • C12
   • D9
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   Answer: D. 9

   They are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does ACT stand for in UK counter-terrorism?

   • AAlert Control Team
   • BArrest, Contain, Transfer
   • CAlways Check Tickets
   • DAction Counters Terrorism
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   Answer: D. Action Counters Terrorism

   ACT is the police campaign encouraging people to report suspicious activity. ACT awareness e-learning is used in security training.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does the UK threat level "severe" mean?

   • AAn attack is highly unlikely
   • BAn attack is possible but not likely
   • CAn attack is highly likely
   • DAn attack is likely
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   Answer: C. An attack is highly likely

   Low means highly unlikely, moderate means possible but not likely, substantial means likely, severe means highly likely, and critical means highly likely in the near future.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which law sets out the general duties of employers and employees for health and safety at work?

   • AThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
   • BThe Private Security Industry Act 2001
   • CThe Licensing Act 2003
   • DThe Equality Act 2010
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

   The 1974 Act places duties on employers to protect workers and others, and on employees to take reasonable care.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What colour are safe condition signs, such as fire exit and first aid signs?

   • AYellow
   • BRed
   • CBlue
   • DGreen
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   Answer: D. Green

   Green signs show escape routes, emergency exits and first aid equipment.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What can the SIA do if a licence holder no longer meets the licensing criteria?

   • ANothing until the licence expires
   • BIncrease the holder's pay
   • COnly send a thank-you letter
   • DSuspend or revoke the licence
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   Answer: D. Suspend or revoke the licence

   The SIA can suspend or revoke licences, for example after a serious conviction, to protect the public.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which is one of the data protection principles under the UK GDPR?

    • APersonal data must be kept no longer than necessary
    • BPersonal data must be kept forever in case it is useful
    • CPersonal data must always be published online
    • DPersonal data may be shared with anyone who asks
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    Answer: A. Personal data must be kept no longer than necessary

    The principles include lawfulness, fairness and transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, security, and accountability.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Under section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, what is an offence?

    • ACarrying out licensable conduct without a valid SIA licence
    • BWorking as a security officer for more than one company in the same week
    • CFailing to pass a fitness test
    • DRefusing to work overtime
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    Answer: A. Carrying out licensable conduct without a valid SIA licence

    It is a criminal offence to engage in licensable conduct without a licence. It can lead to up to 6 months in prison, a fine, or both.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which body regulates data protection in the UK?

    • AThe Security Industry Authority
    • BThe Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
    • CThe Health and Safety Executive
    • DThe Crown Prosecution Service
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    Answer: B. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

    The ICO enforces the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You believe a child is in immediate danger. What should you do?

    • ACall the police on 999
    • BWait until the end of your shift to tell your manager
    • CAsk the child to leave the area
    • DDo nothing unless you are certain
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    Answer: A. Call the police on 999

    If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Then report your concerns through your organisation's safeguarding procedure.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What is the safest approach to lifting a heavy box at work?

    • AAvoid lifting if possible; if not, assess it and lift safely
    • BTwist your body while you lift
    • CLift it quickly with a bent back
    • DAlways lift alone so that no one else can be injured if you drop it
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    Answer: A. Avoid lifting if possible; if not, assess it and lift safely

    Manual handling rules say to avoid hazardous lifting where possible, assess what cannot be avoided, and reduce the risk of injury.

15. Question 15 of 25

    In radio procedure, what does "over" mean?

    • AThe conversation has now ended
    • BThis is an emergency message
    • CPlease repeat your last message more slowly and clearly
    • DI have finished speaking and am waiting for your reply
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    Answer: D. I have finished speaking and am waiting for your reply

    "Over" passes the turn to the other person. "Out" means the conversation has ended.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Before taking door supervisor or security officer licence training for the first time, what must a learner hold?

    • AA full UK driving licence
    • BA firearms certificate
    • CA personal licence to sell alcohol from the local council
    • DA valid first aid or emergency first aid certificate
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    Answer: D. A valid first aid or emergency first aid certificate

    The SIA requires learners to hold a first aid certificate that is valid for at least 12 months from the start of the course.

17. Question 17 of 25

    How much force may be used to make a lawful arrest?

    • AAny force at all, because the arrest itself is lawful
    • BTwice the force the other person uses
    • COnly reasonable, necessary and proportionate force
    • DNo force at all in any situation
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    Answer: C. Only reasonable, necessary and proportionate force

    The law allows reasonable force in preventing crime or making a lawful arrest. Excessive force can be an assault.

18. Question 18 of 25

    An unconscious person is breathing normally and has no injuries that stop them being moved. What should you do?

    • APut them in the recovery position, call for help and monitor breathing
    • BLeave them alone to sleep it off quietly
    • CSit them upright in a chair so they do not choke, and wait for help
    • DGive them a drink of water to wake them
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Put them in the recovery position, call for help and monitor breathing

    The recovery position keeps the airway open. Keep monitoring until medical help arrives.

19. Question 19 of 25

    How long is a front-line SIA licence for security guarding, door supervision or CCTV usually valid?

    • A5 years
    • B10 years
    • C3 years
    • D1 year
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 3 years

    Front-line licences in these sectors last three years, after which you must apply to renew.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Under section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, who commits an offence?

    • AAn operative who forgets their uniform
    • BA police officer who works in a venue
    • CA customer who refuses to show photo ID to a door supervisor at the entrance to a nightclub
    • DA person who knowingly uses unlicensed security operatives to provide security services
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    Answer: D. A person who knowingly uses unlicensed security operatives to provide security services

    Section 5 makes it an offence to use unlicensed people to carry out licensable activities, unless a defence applies.

21. Question 21 of 25

    An arrested person tells you they feel unwell and have trouble breathing. What should you do?

    • AHold them more tightly
    • BTreat it as a medical emergency, call 999 and give first aid if trained
    • CWait for the police to arrive before doing anything else, in case it is a trick
    • DIgnore it, as they may be pretending
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    Answer: B. Treat it as a medical emergency, call 999 and give first aid if trained

    You have a duty of care for anyone you detain. Breathing problems can be life-threatening.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What is the main difference between criminal law and civil law?

    • ACriminal law only covers minor matters; civil law covers serious crimes
    • BCriminal law deals with offences against the state; civil law deals with disputes between people or organisations
    • CThere is no difference
    • DCivil law is only used in Scotland
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    Answer: B. Criminal law deals with offences against the state; civil law deals with disputes between people or organisations

    Criminal cases can lead to punishment such as prison. Civil cases usually end with compensation or a court order.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What is a risk assessment?

    • AA test of how fast an operative can run
    • BA list of customers banned from a venue
    • CA report written only after an accident has already happened on site, for insurers
    • DA careful look at what could cause harm and what precautions are needed
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    Answer: D. A careful look at what could cause harm and what precautions are needed

    Employers must assess risks so they can remove hazards or reduce them as far as reasonably practicable.

24. Question 24 of 25

    After making a lawful citizen's arrest, what should a security operative do?

    • AQuestion the person until they confess
    • BTell them they are under arrest and why, and hand them to the police quickly
    • CLet the person go once they apologise
    • DTake them to the security office and search their home or car for stolen goods
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Tell them they are under arrest and why, and hand them to the police quickly

    The person should be told why they are being arrested, kept safe, and handed to the police promptly. The arrest must then be recorded.

25. Question 25 of 25

    When working in a front-line role, where should an operative's SIA licence be?

    • AWorn where it can be clearly seen, unless the licence conditions allow otherwise
    • BKept in the employer's office safe
    • CLeft at home so it does not get lost
    • DKept safely inside a pocket or wallet and shown only if a police officer asks to see it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Worn where it can be clearly seen, unless the licence conditions allow otherwise

    A condition of a front-line licence is that it is worn where it can be seen while working. This helps the public and the police identify licensed staff.

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

The real test: 70% in each multiple-choice exam (72 questions and 40 questions)