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Exam Review

Key Facts: TX Private Investigator Exam

70%

Passing Score

Texas DPS — Company Representative Examination

50

Official Exam Questions

Texas DPS — Company Representative Examination

Open book

Exam Format

Texas DPS — Company Representative Examination

Multiple routes

Investigation-Company Qualifications

Texas DPS / TAC §35.121

2 hours

Time Limit

Texas DPS — Company Representative Examination

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep practice-bank inventory

Texas company representative exam: 50 true/false and multiple-choice questions, two hours, open book, and a 70% passing score. Prepare using the DPS-linked statutes and rules on licensing and company-management duties. Individual PI applicants follow a separate licensing route.

Sample TX Private Investigator Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the TX Private Investigator exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 382+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which Texas state agency regulates private investigators and private security?
A.Texas Rangers Division
B.Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Private Security Bureau
C.Texas Attorney General's Office
D.Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Explanation: The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) through its Private Security Bureau (PSB) is responsible for regulating and licensing private investigators and private security companies in Texas. The PSB enforces the Texas Private Security Act and administers licensing examinations.
2What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a private investigator license in Texas?
A.18 years old
B.21 years old
C.25 years old
D.There is no minimum age
Explanation: Texas requires private investigator applicants to be at least 18 years of age. While 18 is the minimum, applicants must also meet other requirements including education, experience, and passing a background check administered by the Texas DPS Private Security Bureau.
3Under the Texas Private Security Act, which of the following is a requirement for PI company licensing?
A.A minimum of 10 employees
B.Registration with the Secretary of State
C.A Class C company license from the DPS Private Security Bureau
D.An office located in the state capital
Explanation: In Texas, private investigation companies must obtain a Class C company license from the DPS Private Security Bureau. This license authorizes the company to offer investigation services in the state. The company must also designate a qualifying manager who meets specific experience and testing requirements.
4Texas is a one-party consent state for recording conversations. What does this permit for private investigators?
A.Recording any conversation at any time without consent
B.Recording a conversation only if the PI is a party to it and consents
C.Recording only with the consent of all parties involved
D.Recording only with a court order
Explanation: As a one-party consent state, Texas allows a person to record a conversation as long as at least one party consents. A PI can record conversations they are directly involved in without notifying the other party. However, recording conversations between third parties without any party's consent is illegal under both state and federal law.
5What is the purpose of the chain of custody in evidence management?
A.To determine the monetary value of evidence
B.To establish a documented trail showing who collected, handled, and stored evidence
C.To prove that evidence was collected legally
D.To limit the number of people who can view the evidence
Explanation: Chain of custody establishes a documented trail showing who collected, handled, transferred, and stored evidence from the time of collection through presentation in court. This documentation ensures the integrity and authenticity of evidence, proving it was not tampered with or contaminated during the investigative process.
6Under Texas Penal Code, what constitutes criminal trespass for a private investigator?
A.Walking on a public sidewalk near private property
B.Entering or remaining on property after receiving notice that entry was forbidden
C.Photographing a building from a public street
D.Parking on a public road adjacent to private property
Explanation: Under Texas Penal Code Section 30.05, criminal trespass occurs when a person enters or remains on property without effective consent after receiving notice that entry was forbidden. Notice can be given orally, in writing, by fencing, or by posting signs. PIs must respect these boundaries regardless of the investigation's purpose.
7What type of surveillance involves following a subject as they move from location to location?
A.Static surveillance
B.Mobile surveillance
C.Technical surveillance
D.Counter-surveillance
Explanation: Mobile surveillance involves following a subject as they move from one location to another, whether on foot, in a vehicle, or using other transportation. This type of surveillance requires skill in maintaining visual contact while remaining undetected. PIs must follow all traffic laws during mobile surveillance operations.
8How many hours of experience are generally required for individual PI licensing in Texas?
A.No experience required
B.1,000 hours
C.3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
D.10 years of law enforcement experience
Explanation: Texas generally requires 3 years of experience in investigations or a combination of relevant education and experience for individual PI licensing. This experience can come from law enforcement, military intelligence, insurance investigation, or work under a licensed PI. The DPS Private Security Bureau evaluates each applicant's qualifications.
9Which investigative technique involves using publicly available information to gather intelligence?
A.HUMINT (Human Intelligence)
B.SIGINT (Signals Intelligence)
C.OSINT (Open Source Intelligence)
D.COMINT (Communications Intelligence)
Explanation: OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) involves collecting and analyzing information from publicly available sources including social media, public records, news articles, government databases, and websites. OSINT is one of the most important and commonly used investigative techniques for modern private investigators.
10What is the primary purpose of a retainer agreement between a PI and their client?
A.To guarantee specific results from the investigation
B.To define the scope of services, fees, and terms of the engagement
C.To grant the PI law enforcement powers for the duration of the case
D.To transfer liability from the PI to the client
Explanation: A retainer agreement defines the professional relationship including the scope of services to be provided, fee structure, payment terms, confidentiality obligations, and limitations. It protects both the PI and client by setting clear expectations. PIs should never promise specific outcomes or guarantee results in their agreements.

About the TX Private Investigator Exam

The Texas DPS company representative examination tests knowledge of Chapter 1702 of the Occupations Code and Chapter 35 of the Texas Administrative Code as they apply to management of licensed private security companies. It covers individual-license eligibility, pre-employment obligations, applications, recordkeeping, disciplinary procedures and administrative fines. Investigation-company representatives must satisfy the applicable qualification route and pass this examination; this is distinct from applying for an individual private investigator license through a licensed employer.

Exam sponsor: Texas DPS Private Security Bureau. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Open-book written examination on Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 and 37 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 35, as they relate to overall management of licensed companies. Bring a printed copy of the statutes and rules, the required identification, and two sharpened pencils.

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

First examination included in the company application fee; $100 for a re-examination

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.

Not published

Individual-license eligibility

Eligibility criteria for individual licenses under the Private Security Act and applicable rules

Not published

Pre-employment obligations

Employer checks, obligations and procedures before staff perform regulated work

Not published

Applications and company responsibilities

Application requirements and company-representative responsibilities under Chapter 1702 and TAC Chapter 35

Not published

Recordkeeping

Company and employee records required by the Private Security Act and applicable rules

Not published

Discipline and administrative fines

Procedures relating to disciplinary actions and administrative fines

Preparing for the TX Private Investigator Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: Open-book written examination on Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 and 37 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 35, as they relate to overall management of licensed companies. Bring a printed copy of the statutes and rules, the required identification, and two sharpened pencils.
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: First examination included in the company application fee; $100 for a re-examination Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 382 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TX Private Investigator: Suggested Study Strategy

1Read the DPS company representative examination page and confirm which licensing role you are applying for.
2Study both Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 and TAC Chapter 35; the examination covers their application to company management.
3Practice locating rules on individual eligibility, pre-employment checks and application requirements.
4Review company and employee records, disciplinary procedures and administrative fines.
5Bring the printed statutes and rules linked by DPS, the required identification and two sharpened pencils; practice finding provisions within the two-hour examination limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Texas private investigator company representative exam cover?

DPS describes an open-book examination on Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 and TAC Chapter 35 as they relate to management of licensed companies. Its stated topics include individual-license eligibility, pre-employment obligations, application requirements, recordkeeping, disciplinary procedures and administrative fines. DPS does not publish percentage weights for these topics on the examination page.

How many questions and how much time are allowed?

The DPS company representative examination has 50 true/false and multiple-choice questions, a two-hour time limit and a 70% passing score. These are the official examination figures; this website has a separate 100-question practice bank.

Is three years of experience required for every Texas PI applicant?

No. DPS lists several qualification routes for an investigation-company representative, including three consecutive years of investigation-related experience, specified degrees, and education/experience combinations under TAC §35.121. Those company-level qualifications should not be presented as a universal requirement for individual PI applicants.

How is a company representative different from an individual private investigator?

The company representative is responsible for the licensed company’s compliance and must meet the applicable company qualification and examination requirements. An individual investigator follows a separate licensing process and must be affiliated with a DPS-licensed company or entity. Confirm the requirements for your role with DPS.