Virginia Unarmed Security Officer Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 20

   Which Virginia agency regulates private security officers?

   • AThe Department of Health
   • BThe Department of Motor Vehicles
   • CThe Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
   • DThe Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)

   DCJS registers security officers and sets their compulsory minimum training standards.

2. Question 2 of 20

   Which part of the Code of Virginia contains the private security services laws?

   • ATitle 4.1 (Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control)
   • BTitle 9.1 (Commonwealth Public Safety)
   • CTitle 54.1 (Professions and Occupations)
   • DTitle 46.2 (Motor Vehicles)
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Title 9.1 (Commonwealth Public Safety)

   The private security services laws are in Title 9.1, Chapter 1, Article 4, starting at section 9.1-138.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Which regulation chapter covers Virginia registered security personnel?

   • AThe Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code
   • B6VAC20-174, Regulations Relating to Private Security Services Registered Personnel
   • CThe Uniform Statewide Building Code for builders
   • DThe Virginia Driver's Manual for new drivers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 6VAC20-174, Regulations Relating to Private Security Services Registered Personnel

   Chapter 174 of 6VAC20 sets the rules, including training, for registered private security personnel.

4. Question 4 of 20

   According to DCJS, what does an unarmed security officer do?

   • AInvestigates crimes and makes arrests anywhere in the state
   • BObserves, detects and reports, or notifies authorities, about people or property on the premises they protect
   • CCarries a firearm on all assignments
   • DPatrols public highways and writes traffic tickets
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Observes, detects and reports, or notifies authorities, about people or property on the premises they protect

   DCJS defines an unarmed security officer by duties such as observing, detecting and reporting on the premises they are contracted to protect.

5. Question 5 of 20

   What may a Virginia unarmed security officer NOT do on duty?

   • ACarry or have access to a firearm
   • BPatrol the property
   • CCall the police
   • DWrite incident reports about events on site
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Carry or have access to a firearm

   By definition, an unarmed security officer does not carry or have access to a firearm while working. Armed work needs an armed registration.

6. Question 6 of 20

   How many hours of entry-level training must a Virginia unarmed security officer complete?

   • A40 hours
   • B4 hours
   • C18 hours
   • D8 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 18 hours

   6VAC20-174-330 sets entry-level training for unarmed security officers at 18 hours.

7. Question 7 of 20

   What is the name and code of the Virginia unarmed entry-level course?

   • A01E: Security Officer Core Subjects
   • BArmed Officer Firearms Course
   • CPrivate Investigator Entry Course
   • DBasic Police Academy
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 01E: Security Officer Core Subjects

   The 18-hour entry-level course is 01E, Security Officer Core Subjects.

8. Question 8 of 20

   Do the 18 entry-level hours include the time spent on the exam?

   • AYes, the written exam takes up 9 of the 18 hours of the course
   • BNo, the 18 hours do not include examinations and practical exercises
   • CThere is no exam in Virginia
   • DYes, the exam is the full 18 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: B. No, the 18 hours do not include examinations and practical exercises

   The regulation says the minimum hours exclude examinations and practical exercises.

9. Question 9 of 20

   What kind of exam is part of Virginia's 01E entry-level course?

   • AA driving test
   • BA physical fitness test and obstacle course
   • CA written comprehensive examination
   • DA firearms qualification
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A written comprehensive examination

   The 01E course content ends with a written comprehensive examination.

10. Question 10 of 20

    In Virginia's entry-level course, the orientation section includes which topic?

    • APolice vehicle pursuit
    • BSigns of terrorism
    • CBookkeeping for security companies
    • DAdvanced firearms tactics
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Signs of terrorism

    Orientation covers the Code of Virginia and private security regulations, the code of ethics, general duties and responsibilities, and signs of terrorism.

11. Question 11 of 20

    Which list matches subjects in Virginia's 01E course?

    • ALaw; security patrol, access control and communications; documentation; emergency procedures
    • BAccounting; tax law; banking; insurance; investing
    • CCooking; cleaning; laundry; gardening; repairs
    • DMarketing; payroll; hiring; sales; customer accounts
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Law; security patrol, access control and communications; documentation; emergency procedures

    01E also covers orientation, confrontation management, use of force and a written comprehensive exam.

12. Question 12 of 20

    Besides law and patrol, which two subjects are both part of Virginia's 01E course?

    • AFirearms and baton
    • BConfrontation management and use of force
    • CPursuit driving and K-9 handling
    • DPrivate investigation and covert surveillance
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Confrontation management and use of force

    01E includes confrontation management and use of force. Weapons training is separate.

13. Question 13 of 20

    How much in-service training does a Virginia unarmed security officer need?

    • A40 hours of firearms training every 5 years
    • B18 hours of 01E training every year
    • CNone after the first registration
    • D4 hours of 01I in-service training
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 4 hours of 01I in-service training

    6VAC20-174-330(C) requires 4 hours of job-related in-service training under course 01I.

14. Question 14 of 20

    When must a new Virginia security officer submit fingerprints to be allowed to work while completing training?

    • AOnly if the officer is armed
    • BFingerprints are never required
    • CWithin 1 year after hire
    • DOn or before the date of hire
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On or before the date of hire

    DCJS says fingerprints must be submitted on or before the date of hire as a condition of working before training and registration are complete.

15. Question 15 of 20

    If the fingerprint condition is met, how long may a new officer work while completing the compulsory minimum training?

    • AUp to 7 days
    • BUp to 1 year
    • CAs long as the employer wants
    • DUp to 90 consecutive days
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Up to 90 consecutive days

    DCJS allows up to 90 consecutive days to complete the training while working.

16. Question 16 of 20

    A new officer is working before their registration is issued. What must they carry on duty?

    • AOnly a business card
    • BThe employer's 90-day authorization document and a photo ID
    • CNothing until the registration arrives
    • DA copy of the client's security contract and the site's post orders
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The employer's 90-day authorization document and a photo ID

    DCJS requires the officer to carry the 90-day authorization document and a photo ID until a temporary or permanent registration is issued.

17. Question 17 of 20

    Under Code of Virginia section 18.2-119, how can a person be forbidden to enter or stay on property?

    • AOnly by a judge's written court order
    • BOnly by a letter sent through the mail and signed by the owner
    • COnly by a police officer at the scene
    • DOrally or in writing by the owner or their agent, or by posted signs
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Orally or in writing by the owner or their agent, or by posted signs

    Section 18.2-119 makes it trespass to go on or stay on property after being forbidden orally, in writing or by posted signs.

18. Question 18 of 20

    In Virginia, trespass after being forbidden under section 18.2-119 is what level of offense?

    • AA traffic infraction
    • BA Class 1 felony
    • CNot an offense at all
    • DA Class 1 misdemeanor
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A Class 1 misdemeanor

    Trespass under section 18.2-119 is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

19. Question 19 of 20

    Under Code of Virginia section 18.2-105.1, a merchant is protected from civil liability for detaining a suspected shoplifter when the detention:

    • AIs based only on how the person looks
    • BDoes not exceed one hour and is based on probable cause
    • CLasts until the person confesses or pays for the stolen item
    • DLasts overnight
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Does not exceed one hour and is based on probable cause

    Section 18.2-105.1 protects merchants and their employees when they had probable cause and the detention did not exceed one hour.

20. Question 20 of 20

    Which subject in Virginia's 01E course deals with writing reports and keeping records?

    • AConfrontation management
    • BEmergency procedures
    • CUse of force
    • DDocumentation
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Documentation

    Documentation is a required 01E subject. Clear reports are a key part of an officer's job.

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