PracticeVideosBlogFlashcards
All Practice Exams

Free Practice Questions for AZ Security Guard

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card
100+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Security Guard

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

California Security Guard

Practice Questions128 questionsStudy Guide36 topicsGames20 termsFeedVideos1 videoBlogs1 blog

Florida Security Guard

Practice Questions113 questionsStudy Guide37 topicsCheat Sheet113 factsFlashcards50 cardsGames20 termsFeedVideos1 videoBlogs1 blog

New York Security Guard

Practice Questions105 questionsStudy Guide20 topicsCheat Sheet83 factsFlashcards50 cardsGames20 termsFeedVideos1 videoBlogs1 blog

District of Columbia Security Guard

Practice Questions136 questionsStudy Guide19 topicsCheat Sheet80 factsFlashcards50 cardsGames20 termsFeed

Pennsylvania Security Guard

Practice Questions135 questionsStudy Guide30 topicsGames20 termsFeed

New Jersey Security Guard

Practice Questions125 questionsStudy Guide24 topicsGames20 termsFeed

More From This Family

Videos and articles for deeper review.

VideoFree Security Guard Practice Test by State 2026: 2,700+ QuestionsArticleFree Security Guard Practice Test by State 2026: 2,700+ Questions26 min read
Exam Review

Key Facts: AZ Security Guard Exam

4 Years

Card Validity Period

A.R.S. 32-2624

8 Hours

Refresher Training Before Renewal

A.R.S. 32-2632

8 Hours

Mandatory Course Duration

Arizona DPS Requirement

$50

DPS Registration Fee (+$22 fingerprints)

Arizona DPS

18+

Minimum Age Requirement

A.R.S. 32-2622

100 Q

Practice Question Bank

OpenExamPrep

Arizona DPS registers unarmed security guards for four years. Applicants complete at least 8 hours of pre-assignment training on the DPS syllabus, which calls Title 13 justification law its most crucial section, then pay a $50 registration fee and $22 fingerprint fee. DPS sets no exam or passing score, and guards may not work a post until they hold the card and wear the approved uniform.

Sample AZ Security Guard Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the AZ Security Guard exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which part of the Arizona Revised Statutes contains the security guard registration law that DPS enforces?
A.Title 13, Chapter 4
B.Title 32, Chapter 26
C.Title 13, Chapter 18
D.Title 13, Chapter 15
Explanation: Arizona's security guard law is A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 26. It requires registration before anyone acts as a security guard (A.R.S. 32-2621), lists applicant qualifications (A.R.S. 32-2622) and has DPS issue four-year registration certificates (A.R.S. 32-2624). Knowingly working as a guard without registration is a class 1 misdemeanor (A.R.S. 32-2608).
2Who administers and issues the Arizona Unarmed Guard Card?
A.Arizona Attorney General's Office
B.Arizona Department of Public Safety
C.Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board
D.Arizona Department of Commerce
Explanation: The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Licensing Unit issues and renews security guard registration certificates and identification cards (A.R.S. 32-2624). The unit also registers the instructors who teach the required 8-hour training and reviews public complaints about guards and agencies.
3What is the minimum age requirement to obtain an Arizona Unarmed Guard Card?
A.16 years old
B.18 years old
C.19 years old
D.21 years old
Explanation: An applicant for an Arizona security guard registration certificate must be at least 18 years old (A.R.S. 32-2622(A)(1)). The same section requires U.S. citizenship or legal residency with authorization to work and sets the criminal-history limits.
4Which of the following is a disqualifying factor for obtaining an Arizona Unarmed Guard Card?
A.Speeding ticket from 3 years ago
B.Felony conviction
C.Minor traffic violation
D.Expired driver's license
Explanation: A.R.S. 32-2622 disqualifies an applicant who has been convicted of any felony or is under indictment for a felony. It also bars certain misdemeanor convictions within the five years before applying, such as theft, dishonesty or fraud, and violence. DPS checks the applicant's fingerprints against state and FBI records.
5How long is an Arizona unarmed security guard registration (guard card) valid?
A.2 years
B.4 years
C.3 years
D.5 years
Explanation: DPS issues security guard registration certificates for four years (A.R.S. 32-2624(A)). To renew, the guard completes 8 hours of refresher training within 90 days before applying (A.R.S. 32-2632(B)); DPS accepts renewal applications up to 180 days before expiration.
6What must you do if your Arizona Unarmed Guard Card is lost or stolen?
A.Wait 30 days before applying for a replacement
B.Immediately notify Arizona DPS and apply for a replacement
C.Report only to your employer
D.Apply for a new card only at renewal time
Explanation: If your Unarmed Guard Card is lost or stolen, you must immediately notify Arizona DPS and apply for a replacement card. DPS issues replacement cards to ensure your authorization to work remains current and verifiable.
7Which Arizona statute lets a merchant, or a merchant's agent or employee, detain a suspected shoplifter?
A.ARS 13-305
B.ARS 13-1805
C.ARS 13-404
D.ARS 32-2624
Explanation: A.R.S. 13-1805(C) lets a merchant, or the merchant's agent or employee, with reasonable cause, detain a suspected shoplifter on the premises in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time for questioning or summoning a law enforcement officer. This is often called the shopkeeper's privilege, and reasonable cause is a defense to false arrest or wrongful detention claims (A.R.S. 13-1805(D)).
8Under A.R.S. 13-1805(C), what must a guard have before detaining someone for suspected shoplifting?
A.A hunch, with no supporting facts
B.Reasonable cause to suspect the person of shoplifting
C.A witness statement in every case
D.Proof the person was caught in the act
Explanation: A.R.S. 13-1805(C) requires reasonable cause. With it, a merchant or the merchant's agent or employee may detain the suspect on the premises in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time for questioning or summoning police. Reasonable cause is also the defense to a false arrest or wrongful detention claim (A.R.S. 13-1805(D)).
9How long may a security guard legally detain a person under Arizona's shopkeeper privilege?
A.For a reasonable time, for questioning or summoning police
B.Up to 24 hours without contacting police
C.Only for 15 minutes maximum
D.Indefinitely until a manager approves release
Explanation: A.R.S. 13-1805(C) allows a merchant's agent or employee to detain a suspected shoplifter on the premises in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time for questioning or summoning a law enforcement officer. The statute sets no fixed number of minutes; holding someone longer than is reasonable can lead to false imprisonment liability.
10An Arizona security guard is lawfully detaining a suspected shoplifter. What force does Arizona law allow?
A.Any amount of force the guard chooses
B.Force a reasonable person would believe immediately necessary to make the detention
C.Deadly force whenever the suspect refuses to stop
D.No physical force of any kind
Explanation: Under A.R.S. 13-409, a person making a detention may use physical force when a reasonable person would believe it is immediately necessary to make the detention, the purpose is made known (or is already known), and a reasonable person would believe the detention is lawful. A.R.S. 13-1805(C) also requires the detention to be reasonable in manner. Deadly physical force is far more limited (A.R.S. 13-410).

About the AZ Security Guard Exam

The Arizona unarmed security guard registration (guard card) is issued by the Department of Public Safety for four years. Applicants complete at least 8 hours of pre-assignment training on the DPS syllabus, covering Title 13 justification and laws of arrest, search and seizure, uniform rules, report writing, use of force, crime scene preservation, ethics and sexual harassment. DPS publishes no exam or passing score; a registered instructor verifies the training, and renewal requires 8 hours of refresher training.

Exam sponsor: Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and DPS-approved private training providers. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

No DPS-administered exam. Applicants complete at least 8 hours of pre-assignment training on the DPS syllabus (legal authority, laws of arrest, uniform, communications and use of force, crime scene preservation, ethics, sexual harassment and post procedures), verified by a registered instructor.

Time Limit

No DPS exam; at least 8 hours of pre-assignment training

Passing Score

No DPS passing score

Exam / Certification Fees

$50 DPS registration fee + $22 fingerprint processing; training fees vary

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly disclosed. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Not published

Orientation & Guard Registration

Guard card and approved uniform before working a post; A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 26 security guard rules

Not published

Criminal Law & Laws of Arrest

Title 13 justification (the syllabus's most crucial section), private-person arrest, search and seizure, and recognizing crimes

Not published

Uniform & Grooming

Authorized uniform and insignia, the duty to wear it, and basic hygiene

Not published

Communications & Use of Force

Report writing and note taking, verbal control and stress, levels of force, restraints, non-lethal weapons and deadly physical force

Not published

Crime Scene Preservation & First Response

Protecting a scene, denying entry, emergency response procedures and a practical exercise

Not published

Ethics & Sexual Harassment

Good moral character on and off duty, driving courtesy, and verbal, non-verbal and innuendo harassment

Not published

Post Procedures

General security guard post or job procedures explained at the work location

Preparing for the AZ Security Guard Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No DPS passing score
  • Assessment: No DPS-administered exam. Applicants complete at least 8 hours of pre-assignment training on the DPS syllabus (legal authority, laws of arrest, uniform, communications and use of force, crime scene preservation, ethics, sexual harassment and post procedures), verified by a registered instructor.
  • Time limit: No DPS exam; at least 8 hours of pre-assignment training
  • Exam / certification fees: $50 DPS registration fee + $22 fingerprint processing; training fees vary Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AZ Security Guard: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master Arizona guard law (A.R.S. 32-2608, 32-2622, 32-2624) and the Title 13 justification chapter, which the DPS syllabus calls the most crucial legal section
2Understand the 'reasonable cause' standard for shoplifting detention (A.R.S. 13-1805) and how detention differs from a private-person arrest (A.R.S. 13-3884) — this is critical for avoiding false imprisonment liability
3Study A.R.S. 13-404 and 13-405 carefully: verbal provocation alone never justifies force, and 13-405(B) sets Arizona's no-duty-to-retreat rule for deadly physical force
4Practice writing detailed incident reports with all required elements: date, time, location, persons involved, detailed description, actions taken, witness information, and signature
5Learn the behavioral indicators of suspicious activity (fitting room visits, tag removal, concealment, nervous behavior) and proper approaches to suspects without escalation
6Review emergency protocols: when to call 911, how to assist with first aid if trained, evacuation procedures, and how to document medical or fire emergencies
7Understand the distinction between the authority of an unarmed guard vs. an armed guard — know the restrictions and requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the Arizona Unarmed Guard Card exam?

The Arizona Department of Public Safety Licensing Unit issues and renews security guard registrations. The 8-hour pre-assignment training is provided by the employing agency through a DPS-registered security guard training instructor, who signs the training verification form.

What does Arizona's unarmed guard training cover?

DPS sets no exam; its 8-hour syllabus covers legal authority (Title 13 justification, private-person arrest, search and seizure, recognizing crimes), uniform and grooming, report writing, human relations, use of force, crime scene preservation and emergency response, ethics, sexual harassment and post procedures.

How much does the Arizona security guard license cost?

DPS charges $50 for an unarmed security guard registration (new or renewal) plus a $22 fingerprint processing fee. Training fees are set by the employing agency or instructor.

Which Arizona law lets a merchant's guard detain a suspected shoplifter?

A.R.S. 13-1805(C) lets a merchant, or the merchant's agent or employee, with reasonable cause detain a suspected shoplifter on the premises in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time for questioning or summoning police. Reasonable cause is a defense to claims of false arrest or wrongful detention (13-1805(D)). A.R.S. 13-305 is unrelated: it covers criminal liability of enterprises.

How long is the Arizona Unarmed Guard Card valid?

A security guard registration certificate is issued for four years (A.R.S. 32-2624). To renew, the guard must complete 8 hours of refresher training within 90 days before submitting the renewal application (A.R.S. 32-2632).

Can an Arizona unarmed security guard use force against a suspected shoplifter?

Arizona's shoplifting statute lets a merchant's agent or employee with reasonable cause detain a suspect on the premises in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time (A.R.S. 13-1805(C)). Any force must also be justified under Title 13, chapter 4; for example, physical force is never justified by verbal provocation alone (A.R.S. 13-404).