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.
Resposta rápida
Para passar: 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. Entidade responsável: Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA); training assessed against NZQA unit or skill standards. Pratique aqui gratuitamente com 70 perguntas, cada uma com a resposta e uma explicação. Verificado com fontes oficiais em 11 de outubro de 2026.
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Pergunta 1 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 2 de 25
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Resposta: B. A certificate of approval (CoA)
Employees and contractors of a security company need their own current certificate of approval.
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Pergunta 3 de 25
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Resposta: B. An individual licence
Sole traders who provide private security services for money must hold an individual licence.
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Pergunta 4 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 5 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 6 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 7 de 25
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Resposta: A. Crowd controller
Crowd controllers include bouncers, door security and event security.
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Pergunta 8 de 25
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Resposta: D. Property guard
Security guards who protect property and respond to alarms on site work in the property guard class.
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Pergunta 9 de 25
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Resposta: A. Personal guard
Personal guards protect people, for example as bodyguards.
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Pergunta 10 de 25
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Resposta: A. Security technician
Security technicians install, repair or remove security devices such as alarms or safes.
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Pergunta 11 de 25
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Resposta: A. Monitoring officer
Monitoring officers monitor systems remotely, off site, without responding to callouts.
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Pergunta 12 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 13 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 14 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 15 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 16 de 25
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Resposta: D. An unpaid volunteer
Unpaid volunteers are on the list of people who do not need a licence or certificate.
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Pergunta 17 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 18 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 19 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 20 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 21 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 22 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 23 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 24 de 25
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Resposta: 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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Pergunta 25 de 25
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Resposta: D. 40146
NZQA lists skill standard 40146 (foundation knowledge of the security industry) as the replacement for 27364.
Teclado: 1–4 para responder, Enter para a pergunta seguinte.
O exame real: 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.
O que saber antes do exame
- 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.
Perguntas frequentes
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.
Fontes
- 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