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.
Kort antwoord
Deze gratis cursus heeft ongeveer 25 minuten lessen en een toets van 25 vragen. Haal 80% of meer om een bewijs van deelname te downloaden (privé, niet geaccrediteerd). Gecontroleerd aan de hand van officiële bronnen op 13 oktober 2026.
Wat je leert
- 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
Haal 80% of meer om je certificaat te downloaden.
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Vraag 1 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 2 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 3 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 4 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 5 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 6 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 7 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 8 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 9 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 10 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 11 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 12 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 13 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 14 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 15 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 16 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 17 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 18 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 19 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 20 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 21 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 22 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 23 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 24 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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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Vraag 25 van 25
Toon antwoord
Antwoord: 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.
Toetsenbord: 1–4 om te antwoorden, Enter voor de volgende vraag.
Wat je moet weten voor het 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.
Veelgestelde vragen
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.
Is het certificaat geaccrediteerd of officieel erkend?
Nee. Het is een privé bewijs van deelname, alleen voor je kennis. Het is niet erkend, geaccrediteerd of goedgekeurd door een overheid, vergunningsinstantie, toezichthouder of onderwijsinstelling, en het vervangt geen wettelijk verplichte vergunning, certificering of opleiding.