Unofficial practice on the Connecticut laws behind the security officer guard card: licensing, physical force, detention and trespass.
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Bank checked October 16, 2026.
The security officer license: training, application, fees and renewal 26
A person asks the commissioner in advance whether a conviction is disqualifying. How soon after receiving the request must the commissioner answer, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(b)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(b)(3)
A person was once refused a security service license only for lack of minimum experience. Does that bar a security officer license under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
A person with a criminal conviction asks the commissioner in advance whether it is disqualifying. What is the most the commissioner may charge for each request, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(b)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(b)(2)
A security officer license expired 120 days ago. What does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c) say about renewing it?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
A veteran asks the commissioner to waive the training under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b). Within how long after discharge must the proof of equivalent military training be presented?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)
According to the licensing page of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, for how long is the Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card good?DESPP page, How do I get licensed as a security officer?
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The security officer license: training, application, fees and renewal, continued
Besides law and the use of force, which subject must the course include under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)
How far ahead of the expiration date must the commissioner send the license holder a notice of expiration, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
How long after completing the training may an applicant submit the license application under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
How long does a person who was denied a security officer license have to appeal in writing to the commissioner, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161h(d)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161h(d)
How often is a security officer license renewed under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
How old must a security officer be under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(a)
To whom may the commissioner not grant a license under the last sentence of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152u(7), which employee of a business itself is a "security officer"?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152u(7)
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c), for how long after its expiration date is a security officer license still valid, unless it has been revoked or is under suspension?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
What else is an applicant who received the military training waiver exempt from under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
What is the licensing fee for a security officer under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
What is the minimum length of the training each applicant must complete under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)
What late fee goes with a renewal application filed after the expiration date under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
Where may an applicant with a pending license application not perform security officer duties under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(h)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(h)
Which conviction bars approval for a security officer license under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(c)
Which is one of the training areas named in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)
Which is part of the definition of "security officer" in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152u(7)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-152u(7)
While a license application is pending, what allows the applicant to perform security officer duties under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(h)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(h)
Who licenses security officers under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)
Who may conduct the eight-hour security officer training under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)(1)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b)(1)
Registration, identification, insignia and discipline 22
A person ran a security service without a license and was penalized. For how long is that person not eligible to apply for a license, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161x(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161x(a)
An applicant withdraws after paying the license fee. Is the fee refunded under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(f)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(f)
How does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(i) treat a continuing violation?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(i)
How does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161s define "uniform"?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161s
How soon must a security service notify the commissioner after the employment of a registered employee ends, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(e)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(e)
In which judicial district is the venue for an appeal from the commissioner's order under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(a)
May a security service investigate an offense on property it is employed to service, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161u?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161u
On whose request must a registered security officer present the identification card for inspection under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(d)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(d)
What application fee goes with a security service's application to register a security officer, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(d)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(d)
What does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161g require before a person advertises as furnishing security services?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161g
What does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161r say about a nonuniformed officer's identification card once employment with the issuing licensee ends?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161r
What is the fine for each offense under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(i), such as working as a security officer without a license?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(i)
What is the highest fine for a violation of Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-161g to 29-161z that has no penalty of its own?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161x(a)
What must the inscription on a uniformed employee's insignia contain under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161s?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161s
What must the licensee be given before a license is suspended or revoked under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(a)
When must a registered security officer carry the identification card under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(d)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(d)
When must a uniformed employee's insignia be worn under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161s?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161s
Which finding lets the commissioner suspend or revoke a security officer license under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161v(a)(3)
Which trade name may a security service not use under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161k(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161k(c)
Who applies to register a newly licensed security officer with the commissioner under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(d)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(d)
Who is not eligible for a security service license under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161j?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161j
Who issues the identification card that a nonuniformed security officer carries under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161r?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161r
Use of physical force 16
A peace officer directs a bystander to help make an arrest. What force may the bystander use under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-22(e)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-22(e)
A private person uses reasonable force to make an arrest on his own account. Besides his reasonable belief, what does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-22(g) require about the offense?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-22(g)
Besides retreating, which completely safe alternative rules out deadly physical force under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(b)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(b)
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(b) rules out deadly physical force where a person knows that retreating is completely safe. Where does that not apply, if the person was not the initial aggressor?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(b)
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-21 also covers force used to regain property. What must the person reasonably believe about that property?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-21
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-21 justifies reasonable physical force to prevent an attempt to commit which offenses involving property?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-21
How does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3(3) define "physical injury"?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3(3)
How does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3(5) define "deadly physical force"?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3(5)
May a person use physical force to resist an arrest by a reasonably identifiable peace officer, if the person thinks the arrest is illegal, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-23?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-23
May a private person making an arrest on his own account use deadly physical force to stop an escape, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-22(g)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-22(g)
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(a), deadly physical force may be used only against a person reasonably believed to be doing what?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(a)
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-20, deadly physical force against a trespasser may be used to prevent an attempt to commit which crimes?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-20
What may reasonable physical force be used to prevent or terminate under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-20?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-20
When does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(a) justify the use of reasonable physical force upon another person?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(a)
When may an initial aggressor still be justified in using physical force under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-19(c)
When may deadly physical force be used in defense of property under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-21?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-21
Shoplifting detention and unlawful restraint 11
A store's employee has asked a suspected shoplifter for a name and address. What further information may be required before a police officer takes custody, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)
Besides retail stores, whose employees have a similar power to question and detain under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(b)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(b)
For how long may a store's authorized employee detain a person reasonably believed to be committing larceny of its goods, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)
In a civil action over a store's detention of a suspected shoplifter, what does evidence of reasonable grounds create under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(c)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(c)
What class of offense is unlawful restraint in the second degree under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-96?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-96
What does "restrain" mean in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-91(1)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-91(1)
What makes unlawful restraint first degree under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-95?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-95
What may an authorized employee of a store ask a person seen concealing goods displayed for sale, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)
What must a person questioned by a store employee under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a) do?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)
Which knowledge counts as "reasonable grounds" under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)
Who may question and detain under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-119a(a)
Trespass, impersonation and public order 13
A person enters premises posted in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders, knowing he is not licensed to do so. Which offense is that under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-109?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-109(a)(1)
A person pretends to be a public servant, other than a police officer, so that someone will submit to that pretended authority. Which offense is that under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-130?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-130
A security officer, authorized by the owner, personally tells a man to leave the building. He knows he has no right to stay, and stays. Which offense fits under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-107?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-107(a)(1)
How does Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-181 define "public place"?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-181
Larceny is in the sixth degree under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-125b when the value of the property or service is no more than what?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-125b
What class of offense is criminal trespass in the second degree under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-108?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-108
What class of offense is impersonation of a police officer under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-130a?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-130a
What is simple trespass under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-110a?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-110a
Which act, done to make another person submit to pretended official authority, is impersonation of a police officer under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-130a?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-130a(a)
Which conduct in a public place is breach of the peace in the second degree under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-181, when done with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-181(a)(1)
Which conduct, done with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, is disorderly conduct under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-182?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-182(a)(5)
Which is an affirmative defense to criminal trespass under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-110?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-110
Which offense is obstructing or hindering a peace officer or firefighter in the performance of duties, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-167a?Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-167a
How this list was compiled: Connecticut General Statutes, chapter 534, sections 29-152u and 29-161g to 29-161x (https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_534.htm); the Penal Code, sections 53a-3 (chapter 950), 53a-19 to 53a-23 (chapter 951, https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_951.htm) and 53a-91, 53a-95, 53a-96, 53a-107 to 53a-110a, 53a-119a, 53a-125b, 53a-130, 53a-130a, 53a-167a, 53a-181 and 53a-182 (chapter 952, https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm); and the security officer licensing page of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (https://portal.ct.gov/despp/knowledge-base/articles/frequently-asked-questions/slfu/security-officers). Each was read on October 16, 2026. Section 29-161q(b) names the training areas the eight-hour course must cover. Each question names its section and links to it. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the text of the law. Nothing is taken from any approved instructor's course or test or from any other practice test.
How it works
This unofficial Connecticut security guard practice test asks 88 of our own questions on the security officer license, physical force, shoplifting detention and trespass. Not affiliated with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Read the full guide
Is there a Connecticut security guard test?
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-161q(b) requires eight hours of training from an instructor the commissioner approves: basic first aid, search and seizure laws and regulations, use of force, basic criminal justice and public safety issues. It names no state exam. The state calls the license the Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card, and its licensing page also calls it the guard card.
What the license does not give
The security officer sections of chapter 534 name no arrest power. Force follows the Penal Code: § 53a-21 allows reasonable force to stop a larceny and allows deadly physical force over property only in defense of person under § 53a-19.
Carry the identification card at all times on duty and show it when a law enforcement officer asks (§ 29-161q(d)).
A store's authorized employee may ask only for a name and address before police take custody (§ 53a-119a(a)).
A license expired for more than ninety days cannot be renewed (§ 29-161q(c)).
Questions and answers
How do I get a guard card in CT?
Complete the eight-hour course with an approved instructor, then mail form DPS-135-C, the $100 fee, your fingerprint receipt and a photograph to the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit, as the state licensing page dated February 11, 2025 describes. You must be 18.
How long is a CT guard card good for?
Five years. Under § 29-161q(c) the license is renewed every five years, stays valid for ninety days past its expiration date unless revoked or suspended, and a renewal filed late carries a $25 late fee.
How many hours is the security guard course in Connecticut?
A minimum of eight hours (§ 29-161q(b)). The commissioner waives the course for a veteran who shows equivalent military training within two years of discharge, and that applicant pays no licensing fee.
Can a security guard detain someone in Connecticut?
In a store, § 53a-119a lets the owner or an authorized agent or employee detain a suspected shoplifter for a time sufficient to summon a police officer. Unlawful restraint is a crime under §§ 53a-95 and 53a-96. This is exam practice, not legal advice.
Are these the questions from the guard card class?
No. Each was written for this page from the General Statutes. First aid and each instructor's own course material are taught in class and are not asked here. The 25-question exam mode is this page's own choice.