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Key Facts: IL Security Guard Exam
28 hrs
Armed Guard Firearm Course
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.510
20 hrs
Required Training
225 ILCS 447
$55
PERC Application Fee
IDFPR
8 hrs/yr
Annual Refresher Training
225 ILCS 447
30 days
Training Deadline
IDFPR
21+
Armed Guard Min Age
IDFPR
Illinois security guards need a PERC (Permanent Employee Registration Card) and must complete 20 hours of basic training within 30 days of employment; the employer or instructor certifies completion, and the state sets no exam score. The PERC issuance fee is $55. Armed guards must be 21+, hold a FOID card, and complete a 28-hour firearm training course (20 hours of instruction plus 8 hours on the range) that ends with a written exam passed at 75%. Annual 8-hour refresher training is required.
Sample IL Security Guard Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the IL Security Guard exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1What Illinois state agency regulates the licensing of private security contractors and their employees?
2What does PERC stand for in Illinois security guard licensing?
3How many hours of basic training must an unarmed security guard complete in Illinois?
4Within how many days of employment must a new Illinois security guard complete the 20-hour basic training?
5What is the minimum age to work as an unarmed security guard in Illinois?
6What educational requirement must an Illinois PERC card applicant meet?
7How many hours of annual refresher training are required for registered security guard employees in Illinois?
8What type of background check is required for an Illinois PERC card application?
9What is the current application fee for an Illinois PERC card?
10Under Illinois law, which of the following is included in the 20-hour basic security training curriculum?
About the IL Security Guard Exam
Illinois has no state-administered PERC exam: security guards complete a mandatory 20-hour basic training course, certified by the employer or instructor, covering the ten subjects in 225 ILCS 447/25-20, including arrest and search and seizure, civil and criminal liability, use of force, Criminal Code offenses, fire safety, report writing and terrorism awareness, under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 (225 ILCS 447).
Exam sponsor: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Question count not published by the exam provider
Time Limit
Not set by the state
Passing Score
No state-set passing score (training completion is certified by the employer or instructor)
Reported exam pass rate: Not published. There is no state-administered PERC exam, and IDFPR publishes no pass rate 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.
Arrest, Search and Liability
Arrest and search and seizure law as it applies to private security; civil and criminal liability for security work
Use of Force
Use of force, including nonlethal force such as disabling spray, baton, stun gun or taser
Criminal Law and the Justice System
Criminal Code offenses related to protecting persons and property; private security officers and the criminal justice system
Fire Safety and Terrorism Awareness
Fire prevention, fire equipment and fire safety; identifying terrorists, acts of terrorism and terrorist organizations
Communication and Reports
Verbal communication skills; report writing and observation techniques; customer service, civil rights and public relations
Preparing for the IL Security Guard Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No state-set passing score (training completion is certified by the employer or instructor)
- Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
- Time limit: Not set by the state
- Exam / certification fees: $55 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
IL Security Guard: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PERC card and how do I get one in Illinois?
A PERC (Permanent Employee Registration Card) is the state-issued credential that employees of licensed security agencies need in Illinois. To get one, you must be 18+ (21+ for armed work), complete 20 hours of basic training within 30 days of employment, submit fingerprints for an Illinois State Police and FBI background check, and file the application with the $55 fee to IDFPR. The Act sets no high school diploma requirement and the state sets no exam score.
How long do I have to complete the 20-hour Illinois security training?
You must complete the 20-hour basic security training within 30 days of your employment date. The training covers ten subjects set by statute, including arrest and search and seizure, civil and criminal liability, use of force, Criminal Code offenses, fire safety, report writing, customer service and civil rights, and terrorism awareness. A qualified instructor must provide it, in a classroom or online.
What additional training do armed security guards need in Illinois?
Armed security guards must complete a 28-hour firearm training course approved by IDFPR: 20 hours of classroom or online instruction (firearm safety, weapon retention, legal use of firearms, arrest and search, liability, deadly force, and shooting fundamentals) plus 8 hours on the firing range. Students must qualify with at least 70% on each weapon type and pass a written exam with 75%. You must also be 21+, hold a valid FOID (Firearm Owner's Identification) card, and have a firearm control card issued through your employer.
How often do Illinois security guards need refresher training?
Illinois requires registered security guard employees to complete 8 hours of refresher training each calendar year, starting with the calendar year after their first employment anniversary. The employer chooses the subjects, and the training may be site-specific or on the job. Guards also complete an additional 8 hours of employer-chosen training within 6 months of starting work.
What is the Illinois merchant's detention privilege?
Illinois lets a merchant, which includes the store's employees, agents and independent contractors, detain a person the merchant has reasonable grounds to believe committed retail theft, in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of time. The detention may be used to request and verify identification, ask about unpurchased merchandise, and turn the person over to a peace officer; off the premises it is allowed only in immediate pursuit. Such a detention is not an arrest.