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.
En bref
Ce cours gratuit comprend environ 25 minutes de leçons et un test de 25 questions. Obtenez 80 % ou plus pour télécharger une attestation de réussite (privée, non accréditée). Vérifié à partir des sources officielles le 13 octobre 2026.
Ce que vous allez apprendre
- 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
Obtenez 80 % ou plus pour télécharger votre certificat.
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Question 1 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 2 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 3 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 4 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 5 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 6 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 7 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 8 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 9 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 10 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 11 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 12 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 13 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 14 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 15 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 16 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 17 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 18 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 19 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 20 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 21 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 22 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 23 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 24 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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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Question 25 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
Clavier : 1–4 pour répondre, Entrée pour la question suivante.
À savoir avant l’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.
Questions fréquentes
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.
L’attestation est-elle accréditée ou reconnue officiellement ?
Non. C’est une attestation de réussite privée, uniquement pour vos connaissances. Elle n’est reconnue, accréditée ni approuvée par aucun gouvernement, organisme de délivrance des permis, autorité de réglementation ou établissement d’enseignement, et elle ne remplace aucun permis, aucune certification ni aucune formation exigés par la loi.