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Free Practice Questions for WA Security Guard

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Key Facts: WA Security Guard Exam

8 hours

Preassignment Training

WAC 308-18-300

All correct

Exam Standard (missed questions reviewed and initialed)

WAC 308-18-300

$101

Unarmed License Application Fee

WA DOL fee schedule

RCW 18.170

Governing Statute

Washington Private Security Guard Act

18+

Minimum Age

RCW 18.170.030

Fingerprint check

Background Requirement

RCW 18.170.030

WA DOL requires unarmed security guard applicants to complete eight hours of preassignment training and pass the department's multiple-choice exam, answering every question correctly or reviewing missed questions with the trainer (WAC 308-18-300). Applicants must be 18 or older, be employed by or have an offer from a licensed private security company, submit fingerprints (RCW 18.170.030), and pay a $101 application fee.

Sample WA Security Guard Practice Questions

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

1Which Washington statute is the primary law governing private security guards?
A.RCW 18.170
B.RCW 9A.16
C.RCW 19.16
D.RCW 70.74
Explanation: RCW 18.170 is the Private Security Guard Act administered by the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL). It defines licensing standards, training requirements, conduct rules, and discipline for unarmed and armed guards in the state.
2Which Washington agency licenses unarmed private security guards?
A.Washington State Patrol
B.Department of Licensing (DOL)
C.Department of Labor & Industries
D.Attorney General's Office
Explanation: The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) administers all private security guard licenses under RCW 18.170 and WAC 308-18. DOL handles applications, fingerprinting, license issuance, renewals, and discipline.
3What is the minimum passing score on the Washington unarmed security guard exam under WAC 308-18?
A.70%
B.75%
C.80%
D.85%
Explanation: Washington requires an 85% minimum passing score on the unarmed security guard certification exam under WAC 308-18. The exam contains a minimum of 50 multiple-choice questions covering the pre-assignment training curriculum.
4Under RCW 18.170, what is the minimum age to be licensed as a private security guard in Washington?
A.16
B.18
C.21
D.25
Explanation: RCW 18.170.040 requires applicants to be at least 18 years old to be licensed as an unarmed security guard. To carry a firearm as an armed guard, the applicant must be at least 21 under additional endorsement requirements.
5How many hours of pre-assignment training does Washington require before a guard can be certified under WAC 308-18?
A.4 hours
B.8 hours
C.16 hours
D.40 hours
Explanation: Washington requires 8 hours of pre-assignment training plus an additional 8 hours of post-assignment training within the first six months, for a total of 16 hours, under WAC 308-18-300. The curriculum covers law, ethics, observation, and emergency response.
6Within how many days must an unarmed guard complete the post-assignment training under WAC 308-18?
A.14 days
B.30 days
C.90 days
D.180 days
Explanation: Under WAC 308-18-300, the 8-hour post-assignment training must be completed within 180 days (six months) of starting work. Failure to complete this within the timeframe results in license suspension.
7What is the application fee range for an initial unarmed security guard license in Washington?
A.$5–$10
B.$20–$70
C.$100–$150
D.$200–$300
Explanation: Washington's DOL fee schedule for an initial unarmed security guard license is approximately $20–$70 depending on temporary registration cards, fingerprint processing, and the full license fee. Additional fees apply for armed endorsement.
8How often must a Washington unarmed security guard license be renewed?
A.Every 6 months
B.Annually
C.Every 2 years
D.Every 4 years
Explanation: Under RCW 18.170.050, Washington private security guard licenses are issued for one year and must be renewed annually. Renewal requires a current employer affirmation and continued compliance with training and conduct rules.
9Which background check is required for Washington unarmed security guard licensure?
A.State-only criminal history check
B.FBI fingerprint-based check plus Washington State Patrol check
C.Employer reference check only
D.Civil judgment search only
Explanation: Applicants must submit fingerprints for both an FBI national criminal history check and a Washington State Patrol (WSP) state-level check under RCW 18.170.040. Disqualifying convictions can prevent issuance.
10Which conviction would most likely disqualify an applicant from Washington security guard licensure?
A.A 10-year-old shoplifting conviction (gross misdemeanor)
B.A recent felony involving violence or dishonesty
C.An infraction for jaywalking
D.A speeding ticket
Explanation: Under RCW 18.170 and WAC 308-18, recent felonies involving violence, dishonesty, or moral turpitude are disqualifying. The Director may deny or revoke a license based on conduct directly related to fitness as a guard.

About the WA Security Guard Exam

The Washington Unarmed Security Guard License Exam is a multiple-choice exam designed by the Washington Department of Licensing (WA DOL) under RCW 18.170 and WAC 308-18. Applicants take it after eight hours of preassignment training on basic principles, legal powers and limitations, emergency response, safety and accident prevention, and report writing. Every question must be answered correctly, or missed questions are reviewed and initialed by the applicant and trainer. The unarmed license application fee is $101, and applicants must be 18 or older, be employed by or have a job offer from a licensed security company, and submit fingerprints (RCW 18.170.030).

Exam sponsor: Washington Department of Licensing. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Multiple-choice exam designed and provided by the Department of Licensing on the preassignment training subjects; all questions must be answered correctly, or missed questions reviewed and initialed by the applicant and trainer (WAC 308-18-300)

Time Limit

Not publicly published

Passing Score

All questions answered correctly, or missed questions reviewed and initialed by applicant and trainer

Exam / Certification Fees

$101 license application fee (+$5 print fee)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly disclosed. Washington Department of Licensing does not publish centralized pass rate data for the unarmed security guard exam 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

Basic principles

Basic role of the security guard, Washington licensing laws, observation, proper actions and reactions, and homeland security (terrorism and surveillance)

Not published

Legal powers and limitations

Citizen's arrest; authority to detain, question or search a private citizen; authority to search or seize private property; use of force; avoiding liability

Not published

Emergency response

Defining an emergency and responding to fires, medical emergencies, criminal acts and bomb threats

Not published

Safety and accident prevention

Hazardous materials including MSDS, and accident reporting

Not published

Report writing

Elements and characteristics of a report

Preparing for the WA Security Guard Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: All questions answered correctly, or missed questions reviewed and initialed by applicant and trainer
  • Assessment: Multiple-choice exam designed and provided by the Department of Licensing on the preassignment training subjects; all questions must be answered correctly, or missed questions reviewed and initialed by the applicant and trainer (WAC 308-18-300)
  • Time limit: Not publicly published
  • Exam / certification fees: $101 license application fee (+$5 print fee) 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

WA Security Guard: Suggested Study Strategy

1Read RCW 18.170 and WAC 308-18 in full so you can recognize statute-anchored answer choices on regulatory questions
2Know the exam standard in WAC 308-18-300: every question must be answered correctly, or missed questions are reviewed and initialed with your trainer
3Drill use-of-force scenarios against RCW 9A.16.020 and 9A.16.010: a private person's force is lawful only when necessary, meaning no reasonably effective alternative appeared to exist and the amount was reasonable
4Practice writing concise, fact-only incident reports answering who, what, when, where, how, and witness identification
5Learn de-escalation phrases and stance positioning — many scenario questions reward verbal control before any physical action
6Review WA DOL prohibited acts (impersonation, unauthorized weapons, exceeding authority) — these are common trap answers
7Run practice sets until you can answer every question on the five preassignment subjects correctly

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the Washington Unarmed Security Guard exam?

The Washington Department of Licensing (WA DOL) regulates the unarmed security guard license under RCW 18.170 and WAC 308-18. The department designs and provides the multiple-choice exam, which applicants take after their preassignment training.

How many questions are on the WA security guard exam and what is the passing score?

WAC 308-18-300 sets no question count or percentage passing score. Applicants must answer every question correctly, or any missed questions are reviewed to confirm understanding and initialed by both the applicant and the trainer.

How much does it cost to get a Washington unarmed security guard license?

The unarmed private security guard license application fee is $101, plus a $5 license print fee, paid to WA DOL. Fingerprint processing and training costs are separate, and renewal costs $95 ($110 if late).

What are the prerequisites for the Washington security guard license?

Applicants must be at least 18, be a US citizen or resident noncitizen, be employed by or have a job offer from a licensed private security company, complete the preassignment training and exam, and submit fingerprints for a background check (RCW 18.170.030).

What topics are covered on the WA unarmed security guard exam?

The preassignment exam's questions come from five subjects in WAC 308-18-300: basic principles, legal powers and limitations, emergency response, safety and accident prevention (including hazardous materials and MSDS), and report writing.

How long does it take to become a licensed security guard in Washington?

Most applicants complete training, sit the exam, and receive licensure within 2-4 weeks after the course, depending on background check processing time at WA DOL and class scheduling at the approved school.