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Key Facts: PSP Exam

140

Exam Questions

ASIS International

2.5 hrs

Time Limit

ASIS International

650+

Passing Score

ASIS scaled scoring

3 Domains

Content Areas

ASIS PSP Body of Knowledge

3-5 yrs

Experience Required

ASIS eligibility requirements

200+

Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep question bank

The PSP exam has 140 multiple-choice questions (125 scored and 15 unscored pretest) in 2.5 hours and requires a scaled score of at least 650. Most candidates test at a Prometric test center; remote ProProctor is available only with an approved PCB Certificant Relations Committee accommodation. Eligibility is 5, 4, or 3 years of physical security experience depending on education, with a one-year APP reduction on the no-degree and bachelor's paths. Applicants must have been employed full time in a security-related role; current employment is not required.

Sample PSP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PSP exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 286+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1During a physical security assessment, which factor is most critical when determining the value of an organizational asset?

A.The original purchase price of the asset

B.The impact of asset loss on business operations

C.The physical size and weight of the asset

D.The age and depreciation of the asset

Explanation: When identifying assets for physical security purposes, the critical factor is the impact that loss or compromise would have on business operations. This includes financial loss, operational disruption, reputational damage, and legal/regulatory consequences. Original purchase price is less relevant than replacement cost and business impact. Physical size has no bearing on asset criticality.

2A security manager is conducting an asset identification process for a new facility. Which approach best ensures all critical assets are identified?

A.Focus only on high-value tangible assets like computers and equipment

B.Review the organizational chart and interview department heads

C.Conduct a comprehensive review including tangible assets, intangible assets, personnel, and information

D.Rely on insurance documentation to identify valuable assets

Explanation: A comprehensive asset identification process must include all asset categories: tangible assets (equipment, facilities), intangible assets (reputation, intellectual property), personnel (key staff, visitors), and information (data, records). Relying solely on any single source or asset type creates gaps in the security assessment.

3What is the primary purpose of establishing asset criticality levels during a physical security assessment?

A.To determine the insurance coverage needed for each asset

B.To prioritize security resources and countermeasures appropriately

C.To establish the resale value of organizational assets

D.To comply with generally accepted accounting principles

Explanation: Asset criticality levels help security professionals prioritize resources and apply appropriate countermeasures based on the potential impact of asset compromise. While insurance may be a consideration, the primary purpose is to ensure that limited security resources are allocated to protect the most critical assets first.

4In the context of physical security, which of the following would be classified as an intangible asset requiring protection?

A.Server equipment and network infrastructure

B.Proprietary formulas and trade secrets

C.Office furniture and supplies

D.Security cameras and access control systems

Explanation: Intangible assets are non-physical assets that have value to the organization. Proprietary formulas and trade secrets are classic examples of intangible assets that require physical security protection (e.g., controlled access to R&D facilities). Server equipment, office furniture, and security systems are all tangible assets.

5A pharmaceutical company is assessing its assets. Which factor would be most important when determining the criticality of its research and development laboratory?

A.The aesthetic design and appearance of the laboratory

B.The potential for intellectual property theft and its impact on future revenue

C.The number of windows and natural lighting in the facility

D.The proximity to employee parking areas

Explanation: For a pharmaceutical company, the R&D laboratory contains critical intellectual property. The potential for theft of research data, proprietary formulas, or trade secrets—and the subsequent impact on competitive advantage and future revenue—is the primary factor in determining the facility's criticality.

6When conducting an asset valuation for physical security purposes, which of the following should be included in the assessment of information assets?

A.Only the cost of the physical storage media

B.The cost to recreate or recover the information and its value to competitors

C.The original printing costs for any documentation

D.The depreciated value of computer hardware storing the information

Explanation: Information asset valuation must consider both the cost to recreate or recover the information and its value to competitors or adversaries. The physical storage media cost is typically insignificant compared to the value of the information itself. The true value lies in the competitive advantage, operational necessity, or regulatory sensitivity of the information.

7Which stakeholder group should be consulted during the asset identification phase of a physical security assessment?

A.Only the security department personnel

B.Only the executive leadership team

C.Representatives from all major business functions including operations, IT, legal, and human resources

D.Only external security consultants

Explanation: Effective asset identification requires input from all major business functions. Operations staff understand critical processes, IT knows information system dependencies, legal understands regulatory requirements, and HR knows personnel risks. Limiting input to only one group creates dangerous blind spots in the assessment.

8In the context of critical infrastructure protection, which approach is most appropriate for identifying critical assets?

A.Focus exclusively on cybersecurity assets

B.Identify assets whose loss would affect national security, economic stability, or public safety

C.Prioritize assets based solely on their market value

D.Only consider assets located at the primary facility

Explanation: Critical infrastructure protection requires identifying assets whose compromise would affect national security, economic stability, or public safety. This broader impact perspective goes beyond simple financial valuation to consider cascading effects on communities, economies, and essential services.

9A security professional is categorizing assets based on their replacement difficulty. Which asset would typically have the highest replacement difficulty?

A.Standard desktop computers

B.Proprietary manufacturing equipment with long lead times

C.Office supplies and stationery

D.Commercial off-the-shelf software licenses

Explanation: Proprietary manufacturing equipment with long lead times presents the highest replacement difficulty due to its custom nature, specialized manufacturing requirements, and extended procurement timelines. This difficulty factor increases the criticality of protecting such assets, even if their original cost was not the highest.

10Which of the following best describes the concept of single points of failure in asset identification?

A.Assets that have duplicate backups at other locations

B.Assets whose loss would completely halt critical operations with no alternative

C.Assets that can be easily replaced from multiple vendors

D.Assets that have redundant security controls protecting them

Explanation: Single points of failure are assets or systems whose loss would completely halt critical operations with no alternative or backup available. Identifying these is crucial because they represent the highest risk to operational continuity and typically require the strongest protective measures and contingency planning.

About the PSP Exam

The Physical Security Professional (PSP) credential from ASIS International demonstrates knowledge and experience in physical security assessment; application, design, and integration of physical security systems; and implementation of physical security measures.

Exam sponsor: ASIS International. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

140 questions

Time Limit

2.5 hours

Passing Score

At least 650 (scaled score)

Exam / Certification Fees

$580 (ASIS members) / $910 (nonmembers)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. ASIS does not publish an official global first-time PSP pass rate Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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.

34%

Physical Security Assessment

Assessment planning, asset valuation and criticality, threat and hazard analysis, vulnerability surveys, and risk analysis used to select countermeasures

35%

Application, Design, and Integration of Physical Security Systems

Performance requirements, CPTED and defense-in-depth, structural and electronic countermeasures, supporting systems, and design documentation

31%

Implementation of Physical Security Measures

Pre-bid and procurement, installation and commissioning, acceptance testing, security personnel requirements, and lifecycle evaluation

Preparing for the PSP Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: At least 650 (scaled score)
Exam length: 140 questions
Time limit: 2.5 hours
Exam / certification fees: $580 (ASIS members) / $910 (nonmembers) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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PSP: Suggested Study Strategy

1Focus on understanding the security survey process: asset identification, threat assessment, vulnerability analysis, risk calculation, and countermeasure selection. Know the difference between quantitative and qualitative risk analysis methods.

2Master access control concepts: card technologies (proximity, smart cards, biometrics), system architectures (star vs. distributed), fail-safe vs. fail-secure locks, and integration with other systems. Understand anti-passback and mantrap configurations.

3Know video surveillance fundamentals: resolution requirements for identification vs. detection, camera types (fixed, PTZ, thermal), lighting considerations (lux levels), storage calculations, and video analytics capabilities.

4Study CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles thoroughly: natural surveillance, natural access control, and territorial reinforcement. Understand how landscaping, lighting, and architecture affect security.

5Understand intrusion detection sensor types and applications: PIR, microwave, balanced magnetic switches, glass break detectors, and fence-mounted sensors. Know when to use each type and their limitations.

6For security operations, know the difference between proprietary and contract security, key control principles, guard tour systems, and use of force considerations. Understand security officer training requirements and supervision.

7Review project management basics for security installations: RFP process, cost-benefit analysis, lifecycle costing, acceptance testing, and maintenance planning. Be able to calculate ROI for security investments.

8Study emergency planning fundamentals: evacuation procedures, shelter-in-place, lockdown protocols, and incident command system (ICS) basics. Understand the difference between emergency response and business continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PSP certification?

The Physical Security Professional (PSP) is an ASIS International board certification for practitioners who assess physical security risk, design and integrate protection systems, and implement physical security measures.

What are the eligibility requirements for the PSP exam?

Without a higher-education degree, candidates need 5 years of physical security experience, or 4 years if they already hold APP. A bachelor's degree requires 4 years (3 with APP). A master's degree requires 3 years. Applicants must have been employed full time in a security-related role (current employment is not required) and must agree to the ASIS Certification Code of Professional Responsibility.

How many questions are on the PSP exam?

The PSP exam has 125 scored multiple-choice questions and 15 unscored pretest questions (140 items total). Candidates have 2.5 hours. Unanswered items are scored incorrect.

What is the passing score for the PSP exam?

ASIS uses scaled scoring. A scaled score of at least 650 is required to pass. The scaled score is not a raw count or a percentage of items answered correctly. ASIS does not publish an official PSP pass rate.

How much does the PSP exam cost?

The PSP exam fee is $580 for ASIS members and $910 for nonmembers. The retake fee is $480. Emerging-market rates are published on the ASIS apply-for-certification page.

How do I maintain my PSP certification?

PSP certification must be recertified every three years with 60 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. On-time recertification application fees are $180 for members and $220 for nonmembers.

What is the PSP retake policy?

Candidates may take the exam up to three times during the one-year eligibility period and must wait 60 days between attempts. After three failures or when eligibility expires, a new certification application is required.