NZ Security Guard Test (Certificate of Approval) 2026
Security guards, crowd controllers and personal guards in New Zealand need a Certificate of Approval (CoA) from the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA) and must complete set NZQA training. There is no single government exam; the training standards are assessed by training providers. This practice test covers licensing, the training standards and the knowledge they assess.
In breve
Per superarlo: No single government exam. You must achieve unit standards 27364, 27360 and 27361 (or skill standards 40146, 40145 and 40147), 12 credits in total, through a training provider. Lo gestisce: Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA); training assessed against NZQA unit or skill standards. Esercitati qui gratis con 70 domande, ciascuna con la risposta e una spiegazione. Verificato sulle fonti ufficiali in data 11 ottobre 2026.
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Domanda 1 di 25
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Risposta: C. The Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA)
The PSPLA decides applications for licences and certificates of approval for private security and investigation work.
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Domanda 2 di 25
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Risposta: B. A certificate of approval (CoA)
Employees and contractors of a security company need their own current certificate of approval.
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Domanda 3 di 25
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Risposta: B. An individual licence
Sole traders who provide private security services for money must hold an individual licence.
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Domanda 4 di 25
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Risposta: B. A company licence, plus a certificate of approval for each guard
The company needs a company licence, and every staff member who provides security services needs a current certificate of approval.
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Domanda 5 di 25
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Risposta: A. A certificate of approval as a crowd controller
Crowd controllers need a certificate of approval whether they are engaged by a bar, club, event organiser or licence holder.
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Domanda 6 di 25
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Risposta: B. No, not unless they also act as a crowd controller
Bar staff need a certificate of approval only if crowd control is part of their job.
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Domanda 7 di 25
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Risposta: A. Crowd controller
Crowd controllers include bouncers, door security and event security.
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Domanda 8 di 25
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Risposta: D. Property guard
Security guards who protect property and respond to alarms on site work in the property guard class.
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Domanda 9 di 25
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Risposta: A. Personal guard
Personal guards protect people, for example as bodyguards.
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Domanda 10 di 25
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Risposta: A. Security technician
Security technicians install, repair or remove security devices such as alarms or safes.
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Domanda 11 di 25
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Risposta: A. Monitoring officer
Monitoring officers monitor systems remotely, off site, without responding to callouts.
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Domanda 12 di 25
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Risposta: B. The Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010
The Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010 sets out who needs a licence or certificate and the grounds for refusing one.
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Domanda 13 di 25
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Risposta: A. Up to $20,000
Working or employing staff without a certificate of approval can lead to a fine of up to $20,000.
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Domanda 14 di 25
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Risposta: C. Up to $60,000
A company can be fined up to $60,000, and an individual involved up to $40,000.
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Domanda 15 di 25
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Risposta: D. Yes, emergency appointments are allowed
The rules allow company and individual licence holders to make emergency appointments of staff without certificates.
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Domanda 16 di 25
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Risposta: D. An unpaid volunteer
Unpaid volunteers are on the list of people who do not need a licence or certificate.
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Domanda 17 di 25
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Risposta: D. A licensed tow truck driver
Licensed tow truck drivers are listed as people who do not need a security licence or certificate.
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Domanda 18 di 25
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Risposta: A. At least 12 months in the last 5 years, in each class you apply for
Individual licence applicants need at least 12 months' experience in the last 5 years in the classes they apply for.
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Domanda 19 di 25
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Risposta: B. 3 unit or skill standards worth 12 credits in total
These classes must complete 3 set unit or skill standards, totalling 12 credits.
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Domanda 20 di 25
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Risposta: C. 27364, 27360 and 27361
The unit standards are 27364 (security industry knowledge), 27360 (conflict management) and 27361 (managing conflict situations).
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Domanda 21 di 25
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Risposta: B. Knowledge of the security industry before you start work
Unit standard 27364 covers pre-employment knowledge: licensing, roles, legal powers, health and safety, emergencies and reporting.
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Domanda 22 di 25
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Risposta: A. Describe conflict management in a security context
27360 is the describing standard: it covers causes of conflict, risk assessment, duty of care and resources.
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Domanda 23 di 25
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Risposta: B. Manage conflict situations in a security context
27361 is the practical standard: assessing a conflict, making a plan, de-escalating and acting after the incident.
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Domanda 24 di 25
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Risposta: C. The New Zealand Certificate in Security (Foundation) (Level 3)
Holding the New Zealand Certificate in Security (Foundation) Level 3 or (Advanced) Level 4 counts as meeting the training rule.
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Domanda 25 di 25
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Risposta: D. 40146
NZQA lists skill standard 40146 (foundation knowledge of the security industry) as the replacement for 27364.
Tastiera: 1–4 per rispondere, Invio per la domanda successiva.
Il test reale: No single government exam. You must achieve unit standards 27364, 27360 and 27361 (or skill standards 40146, 40145 and 40147), 12 credits in total, through a training provider.
Cosa sapere prima del test
- Staff of a security company, including crowd controllers hired directly by bars and event organisers, need a Certificate of Approval. Sole traders need an individual licence; companies need a company licence.
- Crowd controllers, property guards and personal guards must complete 3 standards worth 12 credits: 27364, 27360 and 27361, or the new skill standards 40146, 40145 and 40147.
- A temporary Certificate of Approval lets you work while you finish training. It usually takes about 10 days to issue and lasts 3 months.
- The minimum training is done once. You do not repeat it when you renew.
- Working without a Certificate of Approval, or employing someone without one, can lead to a fine of up to $20,000.
- Convictions for offences such as dishonesty, violence or harassment in the last 7 years are disqualifying grounds, but you can ask the Authority to waive them.
- NZQA lists 31 December 2027 as the last date for assessment against unit standards 27364, 27360 and 27361.
Domande frequenti
Is there an official security guard exam in New Zealand?
No single government exam. You complete NZQA unit or skill standards with a training provider, then send your NZQA record to the PSPLA. This practice test checks the same knowledge; its 40-question, 80% mock is our own format.
Which unit standards do I need for a Certificate of Approval?
Crowd controllers, property guards and personal guards need 27364, 27360 and 27361 (12 credits). The new skill standards 40146, 40145 and 40147, or the New Zealand Certificate in Security Level 3 or 4, also count.
Can I work as a guard before I finish training?
Yes, with a temporary Certificate of Approval. It lasts 3 months. If you have not finished training by then, you must apply by mail for another one.
Will a criminal conviction stop me getting a certificate?
It can. Some grounds apply forever, such as ever being sentenced to imprisonment; others apply for 7 years. Grounds are not automatic, so declare them and ask the Authority to consider your situation.
Do bar staff need a Certificate of Approval?
Only if they act as crowd controllers as part of their job. Staff who only make drinks or clear tables do not.
Fonti
- Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (Ministry of Justice)
- PSPLA: licence or certificate?
- PSPLA: work you need a licence or certificate for
- PSPLA: who doesn't need a licence or certificate
- PSPLA: training and skills
- PSPLA: disqualifying criteria
- PSPLA: apply or renew
- PSPLA: what you'll need to apply
- PSPLA: replacements, updates and your duties
- NZQA unit standard 27364: security industry knowledge (pre-employment)
- NZQA unit standard 27360: describe conflict management in a security context
- NZQA unit standard 27361: manage conflict situations in a security context