Virginia Unarmed Security Officer Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 20

   While on duty you learn private information about a client's employees. What should you do with it?

   • APost it on social media as a warning
   • BUse it later to ask employees for favors in return for keeping quiet
   • CKeep it confidential and share it only with people who need to know
   • DTell friends and family about it
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Keep it confidential and share it only with people who need to know

   Security officers are trusted with sensitive information. Keeping it private is a basic duty.

2. Question 2 of 20

   What is access control?

   • ALocking all fire exits during business hours
   • BMaking sure only authorized people and vehicles enter an area
   • CCounting visitors for marketing reports
   • DTurning the building lights and alarms on and off at set times
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Making sure only authorized people and vehicles enter an area

   Access control uses checks such as ID badges, sign-in sheets and locks to keep unauthorized people out.

3. Question 3 of 20

   When should a security officer consider making a citizen's arrest?

   • AOnly when state law allows it, employer policy permits it, and it is safe and necessary
   • BWhenever someone breaks a site rule
   • CAny time the officer has a feeling someone is guilty
   • DWhenever a customer or the client asks for it and agrees to sign a written statement
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Only when state law allows it, employer policy permits it, and it is safe and necessary

   Citizen's arrest rules differ by state and carry real legal risk. Many employers tell officers to observe and report and let police make arrests.

4. Question 4 of 20

   Before helping an injured person, what should you check first?

   • AWhether you can take photos for the report
   • BWhether the person has ID
   • CWhether the client is on site
   • DThat the scene is safe for you
   Show answer

   Answer: D. That the scene is safe for you

   If the scene is dangerous, you could become a second victim. Check for hazards before you approach.

5. Question 5 of 20

   What does "civil liability" mean?

   • ABeing legally responsible to pay money for harm you caused someone
   • BLosing your driver's license because of unpaid parking and traffic tickets
   • CBeing sent to prison for a serious crime
   • DHaving to work extra shifts as a punishment
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Being legally responsible to pay money for harm you caused someone

   Civil liability is decided in a lawsuit. A court can order the person who caused harm, and sometimes the employer, to pay damages.

6. Question 6 of 20

   During a fire evacuation, what should people NOT use?

   • AEmergency lighting
   • BStairs
   • CMarked exits
   • DElevators
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Elevators

   Elevators can stop working or open onto a fire floor. People should use the stairs.

7. Question 7 of 20

   Why do many sites make visitors sign in and wear visitor passes?

   • ATo slow visitors down
   • BBecause a single federal law requires it at every building with security officers
   • CSo security knows who is on site, why they are there and when they leave
   • DTo collect personal data to sell
   Show answer

   Answer: C. So security knows who is on site, why they are there and when they leave

   Visitor logs and passes help staff spot people who do not belong and help account for everyone in an emergency.

8. Question 8 of 20

   When using a fire extinguisher, where should you aim it?

   • AAt the base of the fire
   • BInto the smoke
   • CAt the ceiling above the fire
   • DAt the top of the flames
   Show answer

   Answer: A. At the base of the fire

   Aiming at the base puts the extinguishing agent on the fuel that is burning.

9. Question 9 of 20

   A person who was struggling stops resisting and is now calm. What should happen to the officer's use of force?

   • AIt should increase so the person does not try again
   • BIt should stay exactly the same
   • CIt should stop or be reduced right away
   • DIt should continue until the police arrive
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It should stop or be reduced right away

   Force must end when the threat ends. Force used after a person stops resisting is not reasonable and may be a crime.

10. Question 10 of 20

    Which example best describes negligence?

    • AHitting a person on purpose during an argument
    • BNot checking a fire exit you were told to check, and someone is hurt because it was blocked
    • CRefusing to work an extra shift when a coworker calls in sick
    • DAsking a visitor to sign in at the front desk
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Not checking a fire exit you were told to check, and someone is hurt because it was blocked

    Negligence means failing to use the care a reasonable person would use, and that failure causes harm.

11. Question 11 of 20

    Why do security officers use the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie) on the radio?

    • ATo spell letters clearly so they are not misheard
    • BTo show the officer's rank
    • CBecause it makes messages shorter
    • DTo keep every message secret from people listening in
    Show answer

    Answer: A. To spell letters clearly so they are not misheard

    Letters like B, D and P sound alike on a radio. Words such as Bravo, Delta and Papa prevent mistakes.

12. Question 12 of 20

    A person walks through a secure door right behind an employee without using their own card. What is this called?

    • ASkimming
    • BTailgating
    • CShoplifting
    • DLoitering
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Tailgating

    Tailgating (also called piggybacking) lets unauthorized people slip into secure areas. Officers should watch for it and challenge it politely.

13. Question 13 of 20

    Why must security reports be accurate and complete?

    • APolice, insurers, lawyers and courts may rely on them
    • BThey are only read by the officer who wrote them, as a memory aid
    • CThey are used mainly for advertising
    • DThey are thrown away after each shift
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Police, insurers, lawyers and courts may rely on them

    A report may become a legal record. Mistakes or missing details can hurt an investigation and the officer's credibility.

14. Question 14 of 20

    What should a security officer do after any use of force?

    • AAsk the person to sign a paper saying they were not hurt
    • BSay nothing unless the person who was hurt makes a formal complaint to the client later
    • CLeave the site before anyone asks questions
    • DGet medical help if needed, tell a supervisor and write a detailed report
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Get medical help if needed, tell a supervisor and write a detailed report

    Every use of force must be reported in detail. Medical care comes first if anyone is hurt.

15. Question 15 of 20

    You feel very tired during a night shift. What is the professional choice?

    • ATurn off your radio so you can rest
    • BLeave early without telling anyone
    • CTake a short nap in your car during a quiet part of the shift
    • DTell your supervisor and use approved ways to stay alert
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Tell your supervisor and use approved ways to stay alert

    An officer who is asleep cannot protect anyone. Sleeping on duty can lead to dismissal and liability.

16. Question 16 of 20

    A security officer holds a person in a room against their will with no legal right to do so. The officer may be sued for:

    • ALoitering
    • BBreach of contract
    • CNegligent hiring
    • DFalse imprisonment
    Show answer

    Answer: D. False imprisonment

    Unlawfully restricting someone's freedom to leave is false imprisonment. It can lead to a lawsuit and sometimes criminal charges.

17. Question 17 of 20

    An upset person is shouting at you. Which reply is most likely to calm things down?

    • A"I can see you're frustrated. Let's see how I can help."
    • B"Calm down right now, or I'm going to have to ask you to leave!"
    • C"That's not my problem, go ask someone else."
    • D"You're being ridiculous about this."
    Show answer

    Answer: A. "I can see you're frustrated. Let's see how I can help."

    Showing empathy and offering help lowers tension. Orders and insults usually make people angrier.

18. Question 18 of 20

    You see a spill on the floor of a busy hallway. What should you do?

    • ATell a few people nearby to be careful and do nothing else
    • BWait until someone slips, then report it
    • CWalk around it and continue your patrol
    • DGuard or mark the area, report it for cleanup and note it
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Guard or mark the area, report it for cleanup and note it

    Slips are a common cause of injury. Officers should make hazards safe and report them right away.

19. Question 19 of 20

    At shift change you find that a key to a secure area is missing. What should you do?

    • AWait for the monthly key count to see if it turns up
    • BHave a copy made from another key
    • CReport it right away and record it in the log
    • DSay nothing and hope it turns up
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Report it right away and record it in the log

    A missing key can let someone into a secure area. Reporting it quickly allows the client to change locks if needed.

20. Question 20 of 20

    What three things does a fire need to burn?

    • AHeat, fuel and oxygen
    • BGas, smoke and oxygen
    • CWater, wood and wind
    • DSmoke, flames and heat
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Heat, fuel and oxygen

    This is the fire triangle. Remove any one of the three and the fire goes out.

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