How much force can a security guard use?

Only force that is reasonable and in proportion to the threat, and none when a person cooperates. The exact rules come from state law, so they differ from state to state.

Can a guard use force to protect store property?

The limits are strict. California's guard manual says deadly force is allowed only to protect lives, and New York allows deadly force to protect premises only in narrow cases, such as stopping arson, never for trespass alone.

Does this course let me carry a baton, pepper spray or a firearm?

No. Weapons on duty need state approval and hands-on training. In California, for example, BSIS issues firearms permits and requires baton training from a Bureau-approved facility. This course is background knowledge only.

What is positional asphyxia?

It is death caused by a body position that makes breathing hard, such as being held face down after a struggle. If a person says they cannot breathe, get emergency medical help at once.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Use of Force Awareness Course (US) 2026

Question 1 of 25

California's guard manual gives an example of a guard who grabs a person's arm during a detention that was not justified. What could follow?

Nothing, since an arm grab is too minor to count
A reward from the client for quick action
A warning letter sent to the person who was held
A civil claim against the guard for battery

Show answer

Answer: D. A civil claim against the guard for battery

The BSIS manual uses this example to show that touching someone during an unjustified detention can lead to a battery claim.

Question 2 of 25

New York Penal Law 10.00 defines "deadly physical force." Which description matches it?

Any force at all that is used by a person in a uniform
Force readily capable of causing death or serious injury
Any force used against a person who is running away from you
Any force that leaves a visible mark or a bruise on the skin

Show answer

Answer: B. Force readily capable of causing death or serious injury

PL 10.00(11) defines deadly physical force as force that, in the way it is used, is readily capable of causing death or other serious physical injury.

Question 3 of 25

Under Florida Statutes 776.031, what force may a person use to stop a trespass on land (not a home) that is lawfully in their possession?

Any force, if police are called first
Deadly force, after one clear spoken warning
No force of any kind, ever
Non-deadly force, if reasonably needed

Show answer

Answer: D. Non-deadly force, if reasonably needed

Section 776.031(1) allows force other than deadly force when a person reasonably believes it is needed to stop a trespass. Deadly force is allowed only to prevent a forcible felony.

Question 4 of 25

A person you have lawfully arrested submits willingly and follows your directions. How much force is needed?

The same amount you would use on anyone else
None, because the person is cooperating
A firm grip on both arms in every case
Enough to show the person who is in charge

Show answer

Answer: B. None, because the person is cooperating

The BSIS manual says that if a subject submits willingly, no force is necessary.

Question 5 of 25

Under the Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor, how is the reasonableness of force judged?

By what a video recording shows when it is slowed down later
By looking only at whether the person was hurt afterward or not at all
From the view of a reasonable person on the scene, not hindsight
From the view of the person who had the force used on them

Show answer

Answer: C. From the view of a reasonable person on the scene, not hindsight

The BSIS manual explains that under Graham v. Connor force is judged from the perspective of a reasonable person on the scene, rather than with hindsight.

Question 6 of 25

Graham v. Connor is an important force case. Whom does it directly govern?

Peace officers, though it is a useful guide for guards
Private security guards only, in every one of the states
Store managers and other retail staff, but not guards
Nobody now, since the case is no longer good law

Show answer

Answer: A. Peace officers, though it is a useful guide for guards

The BSIS manual notes that Graham v. Connor directly governs peace officers, but it offers a useful framework for thinking about force by guards.

Question 7 of 25

California's guard manual says any force a guard uses must be what?

Enough to make sure the person never comes back again
Greater than the force that the other person is using
Approved in writing by a supervisor before it is used
No more than needed to overcome the resistance

Show answer

Answer: D. No more than needed to overcome the resistance

The BSIS manual says reasonable force is not excessive, and the only force allowed is what is reasonable and necessary to overcome the resistance.

Question 8 of 25

Under New York Penal Law 35.15, a person may use physical force to defend against what?

Someone who is walking out of a store with unpaid goods
Rude words, insults or threats made over the phone
What they reasonably believe is imminent unlawful force
A person who refuses to show an ID card when asked

Show answer

Answer: C. What they reasonably believe is imminent unlawful force

PL 35.15 allows physical force to the extent a person reasonably believes it is needed to defend against the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force.

Question 9 of 25

Under New York Penal Law 35.15, the person who started a fight can still claim self-defense in which case?

They withdrew, said so clearly, and the other person kept attacking
They were insulted first, before they threw the first punch
They called the police for help right after they had started the fight
They are wearing a uniform and are working on that property

Show answer

Answer: A. They withdrew, said so clearly, and the other person kept attacking

PL 35.15 says an initial aggressor may be justified only if they withdrew, clearly communicated it, and the other person continued to use unlawful force.

Question 10 of 25

In New York, before using deadly force in self-defense outside your home, when must you retreat?

Only if a police officer is already on the way to help you
Never, because New York has no retreat rule at all
Only when the attacker is younger or smaller than you
When you know you can do it with complete personal safety

Show answer

Answer: D. When you know you can do it with complete personal safety

PL 35.15(2)(a) says you may not use deadly force if you know you can avoid it with complete personal safety by retreating, with an exception in your own dwelling.

Question 11 of 25

Under Florida Statutes 776.012, when does a person using deadly force in self-defense have no duty to retreat?

Only when they hold a security officer license from the state
When not engaged in crime and in a place they have a right to be
Only when they are inside their own car or truck at the time
Only when there are two or more witnesses standing nearby to see it

Show answer

Answer: B. When not engaged in crime and in a place they have a right to be

Section 776.012(2) gives a right to stand one's ground when the person is not engaged in criminal activity and is in a place where they have a right to be.

Question 12 of 25

Do all US states use the same rule on retreating before using deadly force?

Yes, one federal law sets the same rule for every state
No; New York requires retreat if safe, Florida does not
Yes, every state requires retreat in all cases, always
No, the rule only differs for police and peace officers

Show answer

Answer: B. No; New York requires retreat if safe, Florida does not

Self-defense rules are state law. New York PL 35.15 has a duty to retreat when it is completely safe, while Florida 776.012 has no duty to retreat.

Question 13 of 25

California's guard manual says deadly force is allowed for what purpose only?

To stop any person who runs
To end a loud argument
To protect valuable property
To protect lives

Show answer

Answer: D. To protect lives

The BSIS manual states that by law deadly force is allowed only to protect lives. Shooting someone to protect property is an example of excessive force.

Question 14 of 25

Under New York Penal Law 35.20(1), which crime that damages premises is the only one that deadly force may be used to stop?

Damaging a fence
Breaking a window
Graffiti
Arson

Show answer

Answer: D. Arson

PL 35.20(1) allows non-deadly force to stop a crime that damages premises, but deadly force only to prevent or stop arson. A separate rule covers burglary of a dwelling or occupied building.

Question 15 of 25

Under Florida Statutes 776.031, when may deadly force be used to defend property?

Whenever a person is damaging a fence, a gate or a window
Whenever someone keeps trespassing after a clear warning
Only to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony
Whenever property worth more than $1,000 is being taken away

Show answer

Answer: C. Only to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony

Section 776.031(2) allows deadly force in defense of property only when a person reasonably believes it is needed to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.

Question 16 of 25

Under New York Penal Law 35.30(4), a private person making an arrest may use non-deadly force only if what is true?

The person refused to give their name
The person is younger than the guard
The person is suspected by a store employee
The person in fact committed the offense

Show answer

Answer: D. The person in fact committed the offense

PL 35.30(4) requires that the person in fact committed the offense. A reasonable belief alone is not enough.

Question 17 of 25

Under California's merchant's privilege, what force may be used to detain a suspected shoplifter?

No force of any kind in any situation
A reasonable amount of non-deadly force
Any force needed to get the goods back
Deadly force if the goods are expensive

Show answer

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

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

Question 18 of 25

A registered California guard wants to carry a baton on duty. What must they do first?

Get written permission from the client to carry a baton
Complete baton training at a Bureau-approved facility
Nothing, since a baton does not count as a weapon there
Buy a baton that is shorter than 12 inches long when closed

Show answer

Answer: B. Complete baton training at a Bureau-approved facility

The BSIS fact sheet says anyone carrying a baton on duty must be a registered guard and complete baton training from a Bureau-approved facility.

Question 19 of 25

In Texas, a commissioned security officer carrying a firearm on duty must also do what?

Wear a distinctive uniform showing they are a security officer
Carry a second firearm as a backup in case the first one fails
Wear plain clothes so that they blend in with the public
Keep the firearm hidden in a bag or under a jacket

Show answer

Answer: A. Wear a distinctive uniform showing they are a security officer

Texas Occupations Code 1702.169 requires a commissioned officer carrying a firearm to wear a distinctive security officer uniform, with the firearm in plain view.

Question 20 of 25

California's required use-of-force training must teach de-escalation methods that use which four things?

Time, distance, cover and concealment
Speed, strength, surprise and noise
Lights, sirens, radios and cameras
Batons, pepper spray, handcuffs and dogs

Show answer

Answer: A. Time, distance, cover and concealment

California law, quoted in the BSIS manual, requires training in tactical methods that use time, distance, cover and concealment to de-escalate.

Question 21 of 25

How much of a California guard's 8 hours of yearly training must review appropriate use of force?

At least 30 minutes
At least 4 hours
At least 2 hours
At least 8 hours

Show answer

Answer: C. At least 2 hours

BSIS requires 8 hours of training each year, including at least 2 hours reviewing appropriate use of force.

Question 22 of 25

A federal National Institute of Justice bulletin describes "positional asphyxia." What is it?

Death caused by a body position that makes breathing hard
Fainting caused by standing still in one place for too long
A panic attack caused by loud noises in a large crowd of people
A breathing problem caused by very cold air during the night

Show answer

Answer: A. Death caused by a body position that makes breathing hard

The NIJ bulletin defines positional asphyxia as death resulting from a body position that interferes with the ability to breathe.

Question 23 of 25

According to the NIJ bulletin, which position adds to the risk of positional asphyxia after a struggle?

Standing with the back to a wall
Lying on one side with support
Sitting upright on a chair or bench
Lying face down on the stomach

Show answer

Answer: D. Lying face down on the stomach

The NIJ bulletin warns that a stomach-down position makes breathing harder and advises moving a restrained person off their stomach right away.

Question 24 of 25

A person who was held after a struggle says they cannot breathe. What does the NIJ bulletin say to do?

Get emergency medical help right away
Wait to see if they are only pretending
Ask them to stop talking and stay calm
Hold them more tightly until police arrive

Show answer

Answer: A. Get emergency medical help right away

The NIJ bulletin says to monitor the person and get emergency medical help immediately if breathing problems or loss of consciousness appear.

Question 25 of 25

A guard uses more force than the situation needed. According to California's guard manual, what can follow?

Only a short talk with the guard's supervisor about the event
Criminal charges, and lawsuits against guard and employer
A bonus, since the guard was protecting the client's property
Nothing at all, as long as the person was breaking the law

Show answer

Answer: B. Criminal charges, and lawsuits against guard and employer

The BSIS manual lists excessive force as a source of criminal liability, and says guards and their employers can be sued for wrongful acts.

Use of Force Awareness Course (US) 2026

Quick answer

What you will learn

What to know before the test

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Related tests