Retail Loss Prevention Course (US) 2026
This course is for security officers and loss prevention staff working in US stores. It covers retail theft law, the shopkeeper's privilege in Florida, New York, Virginia and California, safe stops and searches, robbery prevention and good reports. It is background knowledge only: it does not replace your state's guard license training or your employer's own loss prevention training and policy.
Respuesta rápida
Este curso gratuito tiene unos 25 minutos de lecciones y un test de 25 preguntas. Con un 80 % o más puedes descargar un certificado de finalización (privado, no acreditado). Contrastado con fuentes oficiales el 13 de octubre de 2026.
Qué aprenderás
- Explain what retail theft is and how states grade theft
- Compare shopkeeper's privilege rules in four states
- Describe the legal limits on searches and force during a stop
- Explain why chasing suspects and using force over goods is unsafe
- Apply OSHA's robbery prevention and response guidance
- Write a factual loss prevention report
Obtén un 80 % o más para descargar tu certificado.
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Pregunta 1 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. To deprive the merchant of its possession, use, benefit or full value
Section 812.015(1) defines retail theft as taking or carrying away merchandise with intent to deprive the merchant of possession, use, benefit or full retail value.
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Pregunta 2 de 25
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Respuesta: A. A class A misdemeanor
PL 155.25 says a person is guilty of petit larceny when they steal property, and that it is a class A misdemeanor.
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Pregunta 3 de 25
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Respuesta: C. $1,000
PL 155.30(1) makes larceny of property valued over $1,000 grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony.
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Pregunta 4 de 25
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Respuesta: D. A merchant, or the merchant's employee or agent
Section 812.015(3)(a) lets a law enforcement officer, merchant, farmer or transit agency employee or agent detain a person on probable cause. "Merchant" includes the owner's agents and employees.
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Pregunta 5 de 25
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Respuesta: C. A law enforcement officer must be called to the scene immediately
Section 812.015(3)(a) says that when a merchant or other private party takes a person into custody, a law enforcement officer must be called to the scene immediately.
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Pregunta 6 de 25
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Respuesta: D. When the store has posted notice that such a device is used
Section 812.015(3)(b) makes alarm activation reasonable cause for detention, provided sufficient notice has been posted that the device is in use.
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Pregunta 7 de 25
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Respuesta: D. No liability for false arrest, false imprisonment or unlawful detention
Section 812.015(3)(c) says a detention that complies with the law does not make the person criminally or civilly liable for false arrest, false imprisonment or unlawful detention.
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Pregunta 8 de 25
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Respuesta: A. Knowing the person has concealed unpurchased merchandise
GBL 218 says reasonable grounds include knowledge that a person has concealed possession of unpurchased merchandise.
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Pregunta 9 de 25
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Respuesta: B. Time for the person to make or refuse a statement and to check records
GBL 218 defines a reasonable time as the time needed for the person to make or refuse a statement and to check employees and records about the merchandise.
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Pregunta 10 de 25
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Respuesta: A. Up to one hour while waiting for a law-enforcement officer
Code of Virginia 18.2-105.1 allows detention for a period not to exceed one hour pending arrival of a law-enforcement officer.
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Pregunta 11 de 25
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Respuesta: C. A reasonable amount of non-deadly force
PC 490.5(f), as explained in the BSIS manual, allows a merchant or agent to use a reasonable amount of non-deadly force to detain or prevent escape or loss of property.
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Pregunta 12 de 25
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Respuesta: C. Ask the person to voluntarily hand over the item
PC 490.5(f), as the BSIS manual explains, lets the merchant request that the person voluntarily surrender the item. A limited search is allowed only if they refuse.
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Pregunta 13 de 25
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Respuesta: B. Packages and bags in their immediate possession only
Only packages, shopping bags, handbags or other property in the person's immediate possession may be searched, never clothing worn by the person (PC 490.5(f)).
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Pregunta 14 de 25
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Respuesta: D. It risks leaving your post and injury to you or others
The BSIS manual says chasing a suspect poses risks including abandonment of post and injury to yourself or others.
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Pregunta 15 de 25
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Respuesta: B. No, deadly force is allowed only to protect lives
The BSIS manual says deadly force is allowed only to protect lives. Using it to protect property is excessive force.
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Pregunta 16 de 25
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Respuesta: D. By handing over money or valuables without resistance
OSHA 3153 recommends training workers to respond to a robbery by turning over money or valuables without resistance.
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Pregunta 17 de 25
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Respuesta: B. Using a drop safe and keeping register cash low
OSHA 3153 recommends drop safes, keeping as little cash in the register as possible, and signs saying cashiers have limited access to cash.
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Pregunta 18 de 25
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Respuesta: B. To help witnesses describe a suspect's height
OSHA 3153 lists height markers on exit doors as a way to help witnesses give better descriptions of assailants.
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Pregunta 19 de 25
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Respuesta: D. So the register area can be seen from outside
OSHA 3153 recommends making sure the customer service and cash register areas are visible from outside, which can deter robbery.
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Pregunta 20 de 25
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Respuesta: D. Secure the premises to protect evidence
OSHA 3153's post-incident steps include first aid, reporting to police, securing the premises to protect evidence and writing an incident report.
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Pregunta 21 de 25
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Respuesta: B. Report all of them, and the store keeps a log
OSHA 3153 recommends requiring workers to report all assaults or threats and keeping logs of incidents.
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Pregunta 22 de 25
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Respuesta: C. "She put two shirts in her purse and passed the registers."
The BSIS manual says reports should state facts, which are what actually happened, not conclusions such as "she stole" or "she looked guilty."
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Pregunta 23 de 25
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Respuesta: A. The police officers who respond
The BSIS manual says police assess the situation when they arrive and decide whether to take the subject into custody.
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Pregunta 24 de 25
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Respuesta: A. When personal safety may be at risk, such as late at night
OSHA 3153 suggests a buddy system when personal safety may be threatened and escorts to parking areas during late hours.
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Pregunta 25 de 25
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Respuesta: C. In a reasonable manner and for no more than a reasonable time
GBL 218 gives a defense to false arrest and similar claims only when the detention is done in a reasonable manner and for not more than a reasonable time.
Teclado: 1–4 para responder, Intro para la siguiente pregunta.
Qué debes saber antes del examen
- Florida requires a law enforcement officer to be called to the scene immediately when store staff take a suspected shoplifter into custody.
- Virginia lets a merchant's employee detain a suspected shoplifter for no more than one hour while waiting for police.
- In New York, theft of property worth more than $1,000 is grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony.
- California's merchant's privilege allows a limited search of bags a person is holding, but never of clothing they are wearing.
- OSHA recommends training store workers to hand over money or valuables without resistance during a robbery.
Preguntas frecuentes
Can store security stop a shoplifter?
Many states let a merchant or its staff detain a suspected shoplifter briefly, on probable cause and in a reasonable way. The rules differ by state, and your store's policy may not allow stops at all.
Can loss prevention staff search my bag?
Only within the limits of state law. In California, staff must first ask you to hand over the item, and only bags you are holding may be searched if you refuse, never your clothing.
Do I need a license to work in loss prevention?
It depends on the state and the job. Many states require a security guard license or registration for guards who protect stores, such as a BSIS guard card in California or a Class D license in Florida. This course is background knowledge only and does not give you a license.
What should I do during a robbery?
Stay calm and hand over money or valuables without resistance, as OSHA recommends. Do not chase or follow the robber. Call 911 when it is safe.
¿El certificado está acreditado o reconocido oficialmente?
No. Es un certificado de finalización privado, solo para tus conocimientos. No está reconocido, acreditado ni aprobado por ningún gobierno, organismo de licencias, regulador ni institución educativa, y no sustituye ninguna licencia, certificación ni formación exigida por la ley.