Texas Level II Security Officer Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 21

   Which state agency licenses security officers in Texas?

   • AThe Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
   • BThe Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
   • CThe Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Private Security Program
   • DThe Texas Workforce Commission
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Private Security Program

   The Private Security Program of the Texas DPS licenses and regulates security officers and companies.

2. Question 2 of 21

   Which Texas law governs the private security industry?

   • AOccupations Code Chapter 1702 (the Private Security Act)
   • BFamily Code Chapter 261
   • CTransportation Code Chapter 545
   • DAlcoholic Beverage Code Chapter 106
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Occupations Code Chapter 1702 (the Private Security Act)

   Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 sets the licensing rules for security officers and companies. DPS rules are in Title 37, Chapter 35 of the Texas Administrative Code.

3. Question 3 of 21

   In Texas, an unarmed security officer holds which type of license?

   • APrivate investigator
   • BCommissioned security officer
   • CPersonal protection officer
   • DNoncommissioned security officer
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Noncommissioned security officer

   A noncommissioned security officer works without a firearm. A commissioned security officer is licensed to carry a firearm on duty.

4. Question 4 of 21

   Who must complete Level II training in Texas?

   • AEvery noncommissioned and commissioned officer applicant
   • BOnly commissioned officers who will carry a firearm on duty
   • COnly personal protection officers
   • DOnly company managers and owners
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Every noncommissioned and commissioned officer applicant

   Under 37 TAC section 35.141, Level II training is required for every noncommissioned and commissioned security officer applicant.

5. Question 5 of 21

   What material must be used to teach the Texas Level II course?

   • AAny security textbook the instructor chooses to use
   • BThe employer's post orders only
   • CThe Texas Driver Handbook
   • DThe current DPS Level II training course manual
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The current DPS Level II training course manual

   Level II must be taught using the most current version of the department's Level II training course manual.

6. Question 6 of 21

   Who may teach the Texas Level II course?

   • AAnyone with a high school diploma
   • BOnly a federal law enforcement agency
   • CAny police officer licensed in another state who has moved to Texas
   • DA licensed company's designee, or an approved school and instructor
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A licensed company's designee, or an approved school and instructor

   DPS allows Level II to be taught by the licensee's designee or by an approved school with an approved instructor.

7. Question 7 of 21

   What do you do with your Level II certificate of completion?

   • ASubmit it to DPS with your license application
   • BGive it to your first client in exchange for a job offer
   • CKeep it at home and never show it
   • DMail it to the Texas Legislature
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Submit it to DPS with your license application

   The certificate of completion must be submitted to the department with the application.

8. Question 8 of 21

   How does the Texas Level II course end?

   • AWith a job interview
   • BWith a final examination that you must pass
   • CWith a driving test
   • DWith a firearms qualification at a shooting range
   Show answer

   Answer: B. With a final examination that you must pass

   The Level II course includes a final exam on the DPS curriculum. Firearms qualification is part of Level III, not Level II.

9. Question 9 of 21

   What is the minimum length of the Level III training course for commissioned (armed) security officers?

   • A45 hours
   • B90 hours
   • C6 hours
   • D15 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 45 hours

   DPS requires the Level III course (minimum 45 hours) and test, including a course of fire.

10. Question 10 of 21

    The Level III test includes a "course of fire." What is that?

    • AA building evacuation exercise
    • BA written report on fire safety
    • CA firearms shooting test
    • DA fire extinguisher drill
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A firearms shooting test

    A course of fire is a set shooting exercise used to show firearm proficiency.

11. Question 11 of 21

    An applicant for a commission must show firearm proficiency within what time of the application date?

    • A7 days
    • B2 years
    • C1 year
    • D90 days
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 90 days

    DPS requires firearm proficiency to be shown within 90 days of the application date, and again within 90 days of a renewal application.

12. Question 12 of 21

    Which training course is required for personal protection officers in addition to Levels II and III?

    • ALevel I, a 2-hour online class
    • BLevel V, a 100-hour academy course
    • CLevel IV, at least 15 hours plus a test
    • DNo extra course is required
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Level IV, at least 15 hours plus a test

    Personal protection officers need the Level IV course of at least 15 hours and its test.

13. Question 13 of 21

    What must a commissioned security officer complete before renewing?

    • ANothing, because renewal is automatic for any officer with a clean record
    • BOnly a vision test at a DPS office
    • CThe full Level II course again
    • DA firearms proficiency certificate and 6 hours of continuing education
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A firearms proficiency certificate and 6 hours of continuing education

    Commissioned officers renew with a firearms proficiency certificate and 6 hours of continuing education taught at a licensed Level III school.

14. Question 14 of 21

    When must required continuing education be completed?

    • AAt any time before retirement
    • BBefore the renewal application is submitted
    • COnly if the officer changes employers during the year
    • DWithin one year after renewal
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Before the renewal application is submitted

    DPS says a renewal application may not be submitted until the required continuing education hours have been earned.

15. Question 15 of 21

    Who keeps proof that a security officer completed continuing education?

    • ANo one keeps it
    • BThe employer, in the officer's personnel file
    • CThe client, in a binder kept at the front desk
    • DThe local sheriff
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The employer, in the officer's personnel file

    DPS requires the employer to keep proof of completion in the licensee's personnel file.

16. Question 16 of 21

    A Texas peace officer who honorably retired within the past two years applies for a security license. What may they be exempted from?

    • APaying any fees ever
    • BAll background checks
    • CCarrying a license on duty
    • DLevel II and Level III training
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Level II and Level III training

    Under 37 TAC section 35.141(b), recently and honorably retired Texas peace officers may be exempted from Levels II and III with proof and a sworn affidavit.

17. Question 17 of 21

    A full-time, TCOLE-certified peace officer applies for a security commission. Which training can they be exempted from?

    • ALevel II only
    • BAll training and testing
    • CBoth Level II and Level III
    • DLevel III only
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Level III only

    Full-time certified peace officers may be exempted from Level III but must still complete Level II.

18. Question 18 of 21

    Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 14.01(a), any person may arrest without a warrant when the offense is committed in their presence or view and it is:

    • AA violation of company policy
    • BAny traffic violation
    • CA felony or an offense against the public peace
    • DAny offense, no matter how minor, if it is on private property
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A felony or an offense against the public peace

    Article 14.01(a) lets a peace officer or any other person arrest without a warrant for a felony or an offense against the public peace committed in their presence or view.

19. Question 19 of 21

    Under Texas Penal Code section 9.51, before a private person uses force to make an arrest, they generally must:

    • AWait until the person tries to run away
    • BGet written permission from the client first, in case the arrest is challenged
    • CMake known their purpose and reason for the arrest, unless already known
    • DCall a lawyer to approve the arrest
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Make known their purpose and reason for the arrest, unless already known

    Section 9.51(b) also requires the person to reasonably believe the arrest is lawful.

20. Question 20 of 21

    Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 124.001, a person who reasonably believes someone has stolen or is trying to steal property may:

    • ADetain them in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time
    • BSearch their home for other stolen items
    • CHold them until they pay a fine to the store
    • DKeep them in a locked room overnight until the manager arrives
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Detain them in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time

    This is the Texas shopkeeper's privilege. The detention must be reasonable in both manner and length.

21. Question 21 of 21

    Under Texas Penal Code section 30.05 (criminal trespass), how can notice that entry is forbidden be given?

    • AOnly by a court order
    • BBy oral or written communication, fencing, or posted signs, among other ways
    • COnly by a letter sent by certified mail
    • DOnly by a police officer who gives the person a written warning in person
    Show answer

    Answer: B. By oral or written communication, fencing, or posted signs, among other ways

    Section 30.05 accepts several kinds of notice, including telling the person, written notice, fencing, signs and certain purple paint marks.

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