Retail Loss Prevention Course (US) 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   Florida Statutes 812.015 defines retail theft. Taking merchandise must be done with what intent?

   • ATo borrow it for a short time and then bring it back to the same shelf
   • BTo return it to a different store later that same day in exchange for cash
   • CTo test whether the store's security staff are watching the sales floor
   • DTo deprive the merchant of its possession, use, benefit or full value
   Show answer

   Answer: D. To deprive the merchant of its possession, use, benefit or full value

   Section 812.015(1) defines retail theft as taking or carrying away merchandise with intent to deprive the merchant of possession, use, benefit or full retail value.

2. Question 2 of 25

   In New York, petit larceny under Penal Law 155.25 is what level of offense?

   • AA class A misdemeanor
   • BA violation, like simple trespass
   • CA class E felony in every case
   • DA civil matter that is not a crime
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A class A misdemeanor

   PL 155.25 says a person is guilty of petit larceny when they steal property, and that it is a class A misdemeanor.

3. Question 3 of 25

   In New York, theft becomes grand larceny in the fourth degree when the property is worth more than what amount?

   • A$2,500
   • B$5,000
   • C$1,000
   • D$500
   Show answer

   Answer: C. $1,000

   PL 155.30(1) makes larceny of property valued over $1,000 grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Under Florida Statutes 812.015, who may detain a person they believe, on probable cause, committed retail theft?

   • AOnly a sworn police officer, never store staff
   • BOnly the owner of the shopping mall where it happened
   • CAny customer who saw it happen in the store
   • DA merchant, or the merchant's employee or agent
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A merchant, or the merchant's employee or agent

   Section 812.015(3)(a) lets a law enforcement officer, merchant, farmer or transit agency employee or agent detain a person on probable cause. "Merchant" includes the owner's agents and employees.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Under Florida law, when store staff take a suspected shoplifter into custody, what must happen?

   • AThe person's photo must be posted at the store entrance for others
   • BThe person must be released as soon as they sign a store form
   • CA law enforcement officer must be called to the scene immediately
   • DThe person must be held in the office until the store closes that day
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A law enforcement officer must be called to the scene immediately

   Section 812.015(3)(a) says that when a merchant or other private party takes a person into custody, a law enforcement officer must be called to the scene immediately.

6. Question 6 of 25

   In Florida, a theft alarm sounds as a person leaves the store. When is that alarm reasonable cause to detain them?

   • AOnly when the person runs away from the store after the alarm sounds
   • BOnly when two different employees heard the alarm go off at the door
   • COnly if the person is carrying a large shopping bag or a backpack
   • DWhen the store has posted notice that such a device is used
   Show answer

   Answer: D. When the store has posted notice that such a device is used

   Section 812.015(3)(b) makes alarm activation reasonable cause for detention, provided sufficient notice has been posted that the device is in use.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Under Florida 812.015, what protection does a merchant get when a detention follows the law's rules?

   • APermission to hold the person overnight if the police are too busy to come
   • BThe right to keep the person's ID card as a deposit until they pay for the goods
   • CThe right to charge the person a fine on the spot for the trouble caused
   • DNo liability for false arrest, false imprisonment or unlawful detention
   Show answer

   Answer: D. No liability for false arrest, false imprisonment or unlawful detention

   Section 812.015(3)(c) says a detention that complies with the law does not make the person criminally or civilly liable for false arrest, false imprisonment or unlawful detention.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Under New York General Business Law 218, which fact can give reasonable grounds to detain a person in a store?

   • AKnowing the person has concealed unpurchased merchandise
   • BThe person paid for their items with a large bill at the register
   • CThe person walked through the same store aisle more than once
   • DThe person did not answer a greeting from staff at the entrance
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Knowing the person has concealed unpurchased merchandise

   GBL 218 says reasonable grounds include knowledge that a person has concealed possession of unpurchased merchandise.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Under New York GBL 218, what counts as a "reasonable time" for a store detention?

   • AAs long as the store manager wants to keep asking the person questions
   • BTime for the person to make or refuse a statement and to check records
   • CUntil the person agrees to pay the store three times the item's price
   • DExactly 15 minutes, no matter what else is happening in the store at the time
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Time for the person to make or refuse a statement and to check records

   GBL 218 defines a reasonable time as the time needed for the person to make or refuse a statement and to check employees and records about the merchandise.

10. Question 10 of 25

    In Virginia, a store employee with probable cause detains a suspected shoplifter. What is the time limit?

    • AUp to one hour while waiting for a law-enforcement officer
    • BUp to four hours, as long as the store stays open that long
    • CThere is no time limit at all in Virginia law for a store detention
    • DUntil the person's family arrives at the store to pick them up
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Up to one hour while waiting for a law-enforcement officer

    Code of Virginia 18.2-105.1 allows detention for a period not to exceed one hour pending arrival of a law-enforcement officer.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Under California's merchant's privilege, what kind of force may store security use to detain a suspected shoplifter?

    • ANo force of any kind, even if the person resists
    • BDeadly force, if the goods are worth more than $950
    • CA reasonable amount of non-deadly force
    • DAny force at all, as long as the goods are recovered
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A reasonable amount of non-deadly force

    PC 490.5(f), as explained in the BSIS manual, allows a merchant or agent to use a reasonable amount of non-deadly force to detain or prevent escape or loss of property.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Under California's merchant's privilege, what should you do before any search of a detained person's bag?

    • AWait until the person has left the store property
    • BAsk a customer to stand by and watch the search
    • CAsk the person to voluntarily hand over the item
    • DTake the bag from the person without asking first
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Ask the person to voluntarily hand over the item

    PC 490.5(f), as the BSIS manual explains, lets the merchant request that the person voluntarily surrender the item. A limited search is allowed only if they refuse.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A detained person in California refuses to hand over a concealed item. What may then be searched?

    • AThe jacket and the pants pockets the person is wearing
    • BPackages and bags in their immediate possession only
    • CTheir phone, to look for photos of other thefts
    • DThe person's car, if it is parked in the store lot
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Packages and bags in their immediate possession only

    Only packages, shopping bags, handbags or other property in the person's immediate possession may be searched, never clothing worn by the person (PC 490.5(f)).

14. Question 14 of 25

    A shoplifter runs out of the store. Why does California's official guard training discourage chasing them?

    • ABecause only police may ever leave the store building
    • BBecause running is not allowed by the store's dress code
    • CBecause the goods are always insured, so it does not matter
    • DIt risks leaving your post and injury to you or others
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It risks leaving your post and injury to you or others

    The BSIS manual says chasing a suspect poses risks including abandonment of post and injury to yourself or others.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A shoplifter is running off with expensive goods. According to California's guard manual, may a guard use deadly force to stop them?

    • AYes, if the goods are worth more than $1,000 in total
    • BNo, deadly force is allowed only to protect lives
    • CYes, if the person ignores a clear warning to stop
    • DYes, if the store manager on duty gives permission
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No, deadly force is allowed only to protect lives

    The BSIS manual says deadly force is allowed only to protect lives. Using it to protect property is excessive force.

16. Question 16 of 25

    OSHA's guidance for late-night retail stores says workers should be trained to respond to a robbery how?

    • ABy following the robber outside to get a plate number
    • BBy locking the cash drawer and walking away from it
    • CBy stalling the robber until police can arrive
    • DBy handing over money or valuables without resistance
    Show answer

    Answer: D. By handing over money or valuables without resistance

    OSHA 3153 recommends training workers to respond to a robbery by turning over money or valuables without resistance.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Which cash-handling step does OSHA recommend to make a store a less attractive target for robbery?

    • ATaking the day's cash home in an employee's own car
    • BUsing a drop safe and keeping register cash low
    • CCounting the cash at the front counter where people can see
    • DKeeping all of the day's cash in the register until closing
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Using a drop safe and keeping register cash low

    OSHA 3153 recommends drop safes, keeping as little cash in the register as possible, and signs saying cashiers have limited access to cash.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Why does OSHA suggest placing height markers on store exit doors?

    • ATo show children where they may stand to wait
    • BTo help witnesses describe a suspect's height
    • CTo stop tall vehicles from driving into the doors
    • DTo meet the building code for door frames
    Show answer

    Answer: B. To help witnesses describe a suspect's height

    OSHA 3153 lists height markers on exit doors as a way to help witnesses give better descriptions of assailants.

19. Question 19 of 25

    OSHA advises keeping window signs low or high, and shelving low, in a store. Why?

    • ASo the store looks closed to people after dark
    • BSo that more products fit in the front windows
    • CSo that staff cannot be seen from the parking lot
    • DSo the register area can be seen from outside
    Show answer

    Answer: D. So the register area can be seen from outside

    OSHA 3153 recommends making sure the customer service and cash register areas are visible from outside, which can deter robbery.

20. Question 20 of 25

    After a robbery or assault in a store, which step does OSHA list in its post-incident response?

    • AClean the area quickly so customers can shop
    • BWait until the next day to call the police
    • CAsk staff not to talk to anyone about it ever
    • DSecure the premises to protect evidence
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Secure the premises to protect evidence

    OSHA 3153's post-incident steps include first aid, reporting to police, securing the premises to protect evidence and writing an incident report.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does OSHA say workers should do about threats or assaults at work, even small ones?

    • AHandle them alone without telling a manager
    • BReport all of them, and the store keeps a log
    • CIgnore them unless someone is seriously hurt
    • DReport them only if a customer complains first
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Report all of them, and the store keeps a log

    OSHA 3153 recommends requiring workers to report all assaults or threats and keeping logs of incidents.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which statement belongs in a loss prevention report, according to California's rule of facts, not conclusions?

    • A"She was obviously planning to steal something from the start."
    • B"She is a known thief who steals from this store all the time."
    • C"She put two shirts in her purse and passed the registers."
    • D"She looked guilty and very nervous the whole time she was here."
    Show answer

    Answer: C. "She put two shirts in her purse and passed the registers."

    The BSIS manual says reports should state facts, which are what actually happened, not conclusions such as "she stole" or "she looked guilty."

23. Question 23 of 25

    Police arrive after store security detains a shoplifter. Who decides whether the person is taken into custody?

    • AThe police officers who respond
    • BThe loss prevention officer who made the stop
    • CThe store manager who is on duty
    • DThe person who was detained, by agreeing to go
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The police officers who respond

    The BSIS manual says police assess the situation when they arrive and decide whether to take the subject into custody.

24. Question 24 of 25

    OSHA recommends a "buddy system" and escorts in some retail stores. When are they most useful?

    • AWhen personal safety may be at risk, such as late at night
    • BOnly during the yearly inventory count with outside auditors
    • CDuring the busiest sales of the year when there are crowds
    • DOnly when a new employee is learning the cash register
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When personal safety may be at risk, such as late at night

    OSHA 3153 suggests a buddy system when personal safety may be threatened and escorts to parking areas during late hours.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Under New York GBL 218, how must a store carry out a detention to have a defense against a false arrest claim?

    • AOnly after the store has taken the person's fingerprints and photo
    • BIn a back room, with the door locked from the outside the whole time
    • CIn a reasonable manner and for no more than a reasonable time
    • DOnly after the person has walked past the store's property line
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In a reasonable manner and for no more than a reasonable time

    GBL 218 gives a defense to false arrest and similar claims only when the detention is done in a reasonable manner and for not more than a reasonable time.

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