How is the Security Guarding Skills award assessed?

By a theory examination worth 50% and a skills demonstration worth 50%. You must pass both parts.

What is the pass mark?

QQI awards are passed at 50%. Merit starts at 65% and Distinction at 80%.

How old do I need to be for a PSA licence?

At least 18. The PSA must refuse a licence to anyone under 18.

Can a security guard arrest someone in Ireland?

Only in limited cases under section 4 of the Criminal Law Act 1997: for an arrestable offence, when the person would otherwise avoid arrest by the Gardaí. The person must be handed to the Gardaí as soon as practicable.

Ireland Security Guard Practice Test (PSA) 2026

Pregunta 1 de 20

Which body licenses and regulates the private security industry in Ireland?

The Private Security Authority (PSA)
The Health and Safety Authority
The Data Protection Commission
An Garda Síochána

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. The Private Security Authority (PSA)

The PSA was set up under the Private Security Services Act 2004 to license and regulate private security providers.

Pregunta 2 de 20

Which Act set up the Private Security Authority?

The Data Protection Act 2018
The Criminal Law Act 1997
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
The Private Security Services Act 2004

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. The Private Security Services Act 2004

The Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, created the PSA and the licensing system for security work.

Pregunta 3 de 20

Under the Private Security Services Act 2004, the PSA must refuse a licence to an individual who is:

Not an Irish citizen
Under 18 years of age
Over 50 years of age
Not a member of a trade union

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. Under 18 years of age

Section 22(3) says the PSA must refuse a licence if the applicant is under 18, is not a fit and proper person, does not comply with the Act or has not paid the fee.

Pregunta 4 de 20

Under section 22 of the Private Security Services Act 2004, an individual's licence can be refused if the PSA is satisfied that the person:

Has not worked in a paid security job at any time in the last five years
Does not own a car
Lives outside Dublin
Is not a fit and proper person to provide a security service

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. Is not a fit and proper person to provide a security service

Being a fit and proper person is a key test for every PSA licence.

Pregunta 5 de 20

Under the Private Security Services Act 2004, how long does a licence stay in force, unless a longer period is set by regulations?

1 year from the date it is issued
5 years from the date it is issued
2 years from the date it is issued
For as long as the guard is employed

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. 2 years from the date it is issued

Section 22(4) sets the licence period at 2 years from issue, unless it ends earlier or a longer period is prescribed.

Pregunta 6 de 20

Can a PSA licence be transferred to another person?

Yes, after one year
No, a licence cannot be transferred or assigned
Yes, to any family member
Yes, if the new holder's employer agrees and tells the PSA

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. No, a licence cannot be transferred or assigned

Section 22(5) says a licence gives no property right and cannot be transferred, assigned or used as security.

Pregunta 7 de 20

Under the Private Security (Licensing and Qualifications) Regulations 2022, which qualification is required for a security guard (guarding) licence?

QQI Level 4 Minor award 4N20604 Security Guarding Skills, or an equivalent
A certificate from the Garda training college or from any other police service
A QQI Level 8 honours degree in law
A Leaving Certificate pass in any subject

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. QQI Level 4 Minor award 4N20604 Security Guarding Skills, or an equivalent

Regulation 6 of S.I. No. 574 of 2022 names QQI 4N20604 Security Guarding Skills, or a qualification the PSA considers equivalent.

Pregunta 8 de 20

Which QQI award is required for a door supervisor licence under the 2022 Regulations?

A driving licence
4N20604 Security Guarding Skills
A QQI Level 5 award in Safety and Health at Work
4N20611 Door Security Skills

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 4N20611 Door Security Skills

Door supervisors need QQI Level 4 Minor award 4N20611 Door Security Skills, or an equivalent.

Pregunta 9 de 20

When did the Private Security (Licensing and Qualifications) Regulations 2022 come into operation?

1 January 2026
1 January 2004
1 November 2022
1 June 2018

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. 1 November 2022

The 2022 Regulations came into operation on 1 November 2022 and revoked the 2006 Regulations.

Pregunta 10 de 20

How is the QQI Security Guarding Skills award (4N20604) assessed?

A physical fitness test only
A single oral interview with a PSA inspector, with no written test
A theory examination (50%) and a skills demonstration (50%)
A written essay of 5,000 words

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. A theory examination (50%) and a skills demonstration (50%)

Learners must pass both the theory exam and the skills demonstration to achieve the award.

Pregunta 11 de 20

What overall mark is a Pass in a QQI Level 4 minor award such as Security Guarding Skills?

50% to 64%
70% to 79%
90% to 100%
40% to 49%

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. 50% to 64%

QQI grades are Pass 50–64%, Merit 65–79% and Distinction 80–100%.

Pregunta 12 de 20

What grade is a mark of 82% in the Security Guarding Skills award?

Fail
Merit
Distinction
Pass

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. Distinction

A mark of 80% to 100% is a Distinction.

Pregunta 13 de 20

What level of English does the QQI specification expect from learners whose first language is not English or Irish?

At least CEFR level B1
A university degree in English
CEFR level C2 only
No English at all

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. At least CEFR level B1

The specification says non-native learners need at least B1 English, from a body listed in the PSA's training provider requirements.

Pregunta 14 de 20

Under section 4 of the Criminal Law Act 1997, any person may arrest without a warrant someone who is, or whom they reasonably suspect to be:

Owing money to the business that they are guarding
Talking loudly in a car park
In the act of committing an arrestable offence
Breaking a shop's dress code

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. In the act of committing an arrestable offence

Section 4 lets any person arrest someone in the act of committing an arrestable offence, or guilty of one that has been committed.

Pregunta 15 de 20

In Irish law, what is an "arrestable offence"?

An offence that can be punished by 5 years' imprisonment or more
Only offences committed at night
Only traffic offences
Any offence that can be punished by any prison sentence at all, however short

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. An offence that can be punished by 5 years' imprisonment or more

The Criminal Law Act 1997 defines an arrestable offence by its maximum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment or more, and includes attempts.

Pregunta 16 de 20

Under section 4(4) of the Criminal Law Act 1997, when may a person who is not a Garda make an arrest?

Whenever they see any offence, however minor
Only after a judge in the District Court has issued a warrant for that person's arrest
When they reasonably suspect the person would otherwise avoid arrest by the Gardaí
Whenever a customer or manager asks them to

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. When they reasonably suspect the person would otherwise avoid arrest by the Gardaí

A citizen's arrest is only allowed where there is reasonable cause to suspect the person would otherwise avoid arrest by a member of An Garda Síochána.

Pregunta 17 de 20

After a security guard makes a citizen's arrest, what does section 4(5) of the Criminal Law Act 1997 require?

The person must pay a fine on the spot
The person must be taken to the guard's employer for questioning first
The person must be handed over to the Gardaí as soon as practicable
The person must be held until the next morning

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. The person must be handed over to the Gardaí as soon as practicable

A person arrested by someone other than a Garda must be transferred into Garda custody as soon as practicable.

Pregunta 18 de 20

Which law sets out when the use of force to protect people or property, or to prevent crime, is justified in Ireland?

The Data Protection Act 2018
The Road Traffic Act 1961
The Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997
The Private Security Services Act 2004

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. The Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997

Sections 18 and 19 of the 1997 Act cover justifiable force, including force used to make or assist a lawful arrest.

Pregunta 19 de 20

Under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, how much force may be used?

As much force as needed to win the struggle
No force at all, in any situation
Any level of force the client has approved in writing in the assignment instructions
Only force that is reasonable in the circumstances as they believe them to be

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. Only force that is reasonable in the circumstances as they believe them to be

Force must be reasonable in the circumstances as the person believes them to be. Excessive force can be an assault.

Pregunta 20 de 20

Under section 18 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, force can be justified to protect another person's property from trespass when:

The guard wants to punish the trespasser
The guard is off duty and acting on their own, without any permission from the owner
The trespasser is simply walking past outside
The person acts with the authority of the property's owner and uses only reasonable force

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. The person acts with the authority of the property's owner and uses only reasonable force

Section 18 allows reasonable force to protect another's property from trespass, with that person's authority, as well as to protect people and prevent crime.

Ireland Security Guard Practice Test (PSA) 2026

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