New York Security Guard Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 20

   Which New York law sets the registration and training rules for security guards?

   • AVehicle and Traffic Law Article 9
   • BAlcoholic Beverage Control Law
   • CPenal Law Article 265, which covers firearms and dangerous weapons
   • DGeneral Business Law Article 7-A, the Security Guard Act of 1992
   Show answer

   Answer: D. General Business Law Article 7-A, the Security Guard Act of 1992

   The Security Guard Act of 1992, in Article 7-A of the General Business Law, requires guards to register and complete set training courses.

2. Question 2 of 20

   Which New York agency registers security guards?

   • AThe Department of Labor
   • BThe State Liquor Authority
   • CThe Department of State
   • DThe Department of Motor Vehicles
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The Department of State

   Security guard registration cards are issued by the New York Department of State. Training courses are approved by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Which course must a New York guard complete before taking a first assignment?

   • AA 40-hour basic course at a police academy
   • BAn 8-hour pre-assignment training course
   • CA 16-hour on-the-job course
   • DA 47-hour firearms course
   Show answer

   Answer: B. An 8-hour pre-assignment training course

   General Business Law section 89-n requires an 8-hour pre-assignment training course.

4. Question 4 of 20

   How does the New York 8-hour pre-assignment course end?

   • AWith an oral interview at the Department of State
   • BWith a one-hour review and examination period
   • CWith no test of any kind
   • DWith a firearms qualification
   Show answer

   Answer: B. With a one-hour review and examination period

   Under 9 NYCRR 6027.3, the course includes a one-hour review and examination period after all topics are presented.

5. Question 5 of 20

   Which topic gets the most time in the 8-hour pre-assignment course?

   • ALegal powers and limitations (2 hours)
   • BAccess control (one-half hour)
   • CEthics and conduct (1 hour)
   • DIntroduction (one-quarter hour)
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Legal powers and limitations (2 hours)

   Legal powers and limitations has two hours, more than any other topic in the course.

6. Question 6 of 20

   Which list matches topics in the New York pre-assignment course?

   • AFirearms, baton use, handcuffing and pursuit driving
   • BBookkeeping, sales, marketing and inventory control
   • CRole of a security guard, legal powers and limitations, emergency situations, access control
   • DCooking, cleaning, laundry and building repairs
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Role of a security guard, legal powers and limitations, emergency situations, access control

   The course covers the guard's role, legal powers and limits, emergencies, communications and public relations, access control, and ethics and conduct.

7. Question 7 of 20

   Can the pre-assignment course be split into parts?

   • AYes, into two 4-hour sessions within a 7-day period
   • BYes, into any number of parts over 90 days
   • CYes, into eight 1-hour sessions over a year
   • DNo, it must be taken in one 8-hour session with no exceptions
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Yes, into two 4-hour sessions within a 7-day period

   The course should be done in one session, but it may be completed in two 4-hour sessions within seven days.

8. Question 8 of 20

   Where may the 8-hour pre-assignment course be given?

   • AOnly at an approved school, taught by a certified instructor
   • BOnly at a local police station, taught by serving police officers
   • CAt any workplace, taught by any supervisor
   • DOnline from any website, with no instructor
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Only at an approved school, taught by a certified instructor

   9 NYCRR 6027.3 says the course may be given only at an approved school and taught only by certified instructors.

9. Question 9 of 20

   When must a New York guard finish the on-the-job training course?

   • AWithin 90 working days after starting employment
   • BWithin 5 years after the registration card is issued
   • COnly if the guard becomes armed
   • DBefore the pre-assignment course
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Within 90 working days after starting employment

   Section 89-n requires the on-the-job training course to be completed within ninety working days following employment.

10. Question 10 of 20

    How long is the on-the-job training course under the law?

    • ABetween 16 and 40 hours, as set by the state
    • BExactly 4 hours
    • CExactly 8 hours
    • DMore than 100 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Between 16 and 40 hours, as set by the state

    The law sets the on-the-job course at 16 to 40 hours. The required length is set by the state.

11. Question 11 of 20

    How much in-service training must every registered New York guard take each year?

    • AA 47-hour course every year
    • BAn 8-hour annual in-service course
    • CA 2-hour online refresher every five years
    • DNone after the first year
    Show answer

    Answer: B. An 8-hour annual in-service course

    Section 89-n requires an 8-hour annual in-service training course for all guards.

12. Question 12 of 20

    Which course is required for a special armed guard registration card?

    • AA 24-hour report writing course
    • BA 47-hour firearms training course
    • CA 16-hour driving course
    • DAn 8-hour first aid course
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A 47-hour firearms training course

    Section 89-n requires a forty-seven hour firearms training course for the special armed guard registration card.

13. Question 13 of 20

    What extra yearly training do holders of a special armed guard registration card need?

    • AA monthly written test on firearms law and safety
    • BA 47-hour course every year
    • CAn additional 8-hour annual in-service course
    • DNo extra training
    Show answer

    Answer: C. An additional 8-hour annual in-service course

    Armed guards take the regular 8-hour in-service course plus an additional 8-hour annual in-service course.

14. Question 14 of 20

    Under Criminal Procedure Law section 140.30, a private person in New York may arrest someone for a felony when:

    • AThe person has in fact committed that felony
    • BThe private person has a hunch about the person
    • CThe person looks like a suspect seen on TV
    • DThe person refuses to give their name
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The person has in fact committed that felony

    Section 140.30 allows a private person to arrest for a felony only when the person has actually committed it.

15. Question 15 of 20

    Under Criminal Procedure Law section 140.30, a private person may arrest someone for any offense when:

    • AThe person is standing near the scene
    • BThe person has in fact committed the offense in the private person's presence
    • CSomeone else tells them about it the next day
    • DThe person broke a company rule in front of the guard on the client's premises
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The person has in fact committed the offense in the private person's presence

    For offenses other than felonies, the offense must actually have been committed in the private person's presence.

16. Question 16 of 20

    Why is a citizen's arrest risky for a New York security guard?

    • AThe offense must actually have been committed, so an honest mistake may not protect the guard
    • BThe guard must first get the client's written permission before acting
    • CEvery arrest must be approved by a judge first
    • DGuards are not allowed to call the police first
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The offense must actually have been committed, so an honest mistake may not protect the guard

    Sections 140.30 and 35.30 use the words "in fact committed." If the person did not actually commit the offense, the guard may face a lawsuit.

17. Question 17 of 20

    Under Criminal Procedure Law section 140.35, after a private person makes an arrest they must:

    • AHold the person until the end of the shift
    • BDeliver the person to a police officer without unnecessary delay
    • CTake the person to the client's office so the manager can decide what to do
    • DQuestion the person for at least one hour
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Deliver the person to a police officer without unnecessary delay

    Section 140.35 requires the arrested person to be delivered to an appropriate police officer without unnecessary delay.

18. Question 18 of 20

    Under Penal Law section 35.30, what force may a private person use to arrest someone who has in fact committed an offense?

    • ADeadly physical force for any offense
    • BNo physical force at all, ever
    • CNon-deadly physical force, when they reasonably believe it is necessary
    • DAny force the client approves in advance in the guard's post orders
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Non-deadly physical force, when they reasonably believe it is necessary

    A private person may use non-deadly physical force when and to the extent they reasonably believe it is necessary to make the arrest or prevent escape.

19. Question 19 of 20

    Under General Business Law section 218, a retail merchant who has reasonable grounds to believe a person is stealing may:

    • ASearch the person's car at home
    • BCharge the person a civil fine equal to the item's value before letting them go
    • CDetain the person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable time to investigate
    • DHold the person until they sign a confession
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Detain the person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable time to investigate

    Section 218 gives a defense to a false arrest claim when the detention is reasonable in manner and length and based on reasonable grounds.

20. Question 20 of 20

    Under New York Penal Law section 140.05, a person commits trespass when they:

    • AEnter a store during normal business hours to shop
    • BWalk on a public sidewalk
    • CKnowingly enter or remain unlawfully on premises
    • DPark in a public lot
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Knowingly enter or remain unlawfully on premises

    Trespass is knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in or upon premises. It is a violation, the lowest level of offense.

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