A firm's errors and omissions policy covers its employee investigators. When does that meet the security requirement (ORS 703.425(5))?ORS 703.425
A full-time peace officer takes paid private work as an investigator. What limit keeps the officer within the exception in ORS 703.411(4)?ORS 703.411
A landlord's agent screens rental applicants. Is an investigator license needed (ORS 703.411(16))?ORS 703.411
A newspaper reporter gathers information for a story. Under ORS 703.411(14) the reporter:ORS 703.411
A person hired as an investigator to gather facts later testifies to those facts. Does the expert witness exemption cover the investigation (OAR 259-061-0018(2)(d))?OAR 259-061-0018
A person is employed exclusively by one employer and investigates that employer's affairs only. Under ORS 703.411(1) the person:ORS 703.411
A person is preparing to testify in court as an expert under ORS 40.410. Does ORS 703.407 require an investigator license for that preparation?ORS 703.407
A person who is not licensed tells a prospective client, "I am a private investigator." Does that violate ORS 703.405?ORS 703.405
A related course of study may substitute for up to how many hours of the required work experience (OAR 259-061-0140)?OAR 259-061-0140
Show all 105 questions (96 more)
Who needs a license and how to qualify, continued
An applicant is charged with a criminal offense while the application is pending. What does ORS 703.425(3) require?ORS 703.425
An employee investigates on behalf of the employer's clients. Does the one-employer exemption cover that work (OAR 259-061-0018)?OAR 259-061-0018
For how many preceding years must the application state the applicant's residence and employment (ORS 703.425(1))?ORS 703.425
How many professional references must accompany the application (ORS 703.425(2)(d))?ORS 703.425
In ORS 703.401(1), a "client" engages an investigator for what purpose?ORS 703.401
In the Department's rules, what are "hours of experience" (OAR 259-061-0005(10))?OAR 259-061-0005
On what basis are class hours credited toward experience (OAR 259-061-0140(2))?OAR 259-061-0140
ORS 703.415(1) sets how old a person must be to hold an investigator license. How old?ORS 703.415
ORS 703.415(7) names an amount of investigatory work that qualifies a person for the full license. What amount?ORS 703.415
Proof of a surety bond is valid for licensure only if filed with the Department within how long of the signature on the bond (OAR 259-061-0020)?OAR 259-061-0020
To which agency does the Department forward an applicant's fingerprints for criminal records checks (ORS 703.425(4))?ORS 703.425
Under OAR 259-061-0005(8), is an independent contractor an "employee"?OAR 259-061-0005
What is the minimum sum of the surety bond, letter of credit or errors and omissions insurance an applicant must have (ORS 703.415(6))?ORS 703.415
When must a completed application packet be mailed to the Department (OAR 259-061-0020(4))?OAR 259-061-0020
Which business is outside the investigator statutes under ORS 703.411(15)?ORS 703.411
Which kind of information is part of an investigator's business under ORS 703.401(2)?ORS 703.401
Which worker in a law office is excepted from investigator licensing by ORS 703.411(9)?ORS 703.411
Whose name must be listed as principal on an applicant's surety bond (OAR 259-061-0020)?OAR 259-061-0020
The exam, license types, renewal and continuing education 26
A provisional investigator documents 1,500 hours of investigatory work. What happens to the license (OAR 259-061-0150)?OAR 259-061-0150
An applicant does not pass on the third attempt. How long is the wait before another try (OAR 259-061-0100(2))?OAR 259-061-0100
An investigator does not pay the renewal fee and penalties within 30 days after the renewal date. How may the investigator be reinstated (ORS 703.445(1))?ORS 703.445
An investigator ends the period with surplus training hours. What cap does ORS 703.447(2) put on what moves forward?ORS 703.447
An investigator licensed in another state brings a case into Oregon. Where must the case have originated for a temporary license (OAR 259-061-0110(1)(d))?OAR 259-061-0110
An investigator misses the renewal date. Within how many days may the fee still be paid, with a penalty (ORS 703.445(1))?ORS 703.445
Does publishing an article about investigation count as continuing education (ORS 703.447(4))?ORS 703.447
Each two-year period, ORS 703.447(1)(a) asks the holder of a full private investigator license for how much training?ORS 703.447
For how long is an interim investigator license valid (OAR 259-061-0120(2))?OAR 259-061-0120
For whom may the holder of an interim license work (ORS 703.430(2)(b))?ORS 703.430
How many consecutive times may the exam be administered to one applicant (OAR 259-061-0100(2))?OAR 259-061-0100
How soon after beginning work in Oregon must the temporary license form be submitted (OAR 259-061-0110(2))?OAR 259-061-0110
May a person who took the exam tell a friend what the questions were (OAR 259-061-0130(2))?OAR 259-061-0130
May an investigator on inactive status take a case (ORS 703.445(3))?ORS 703.445
OAR 259-061-0110(3) counts the days an out-of-state investigator may work in Oregon on a temporary license. What is the count?OAR 259-061-0110
OAR 259-061-0240(1) sets aside part of an investigator's required training for one subject, ethics. How much?OAR 259-061-0240
ORS 703.447(1)(b) sets a larger training figure for provisional investigators in each two-year period. What is it?ORS 703.447
What is the minimum passing score on the Department's investigator exam (OAR 259-061-0100)?OAR 259-061-0100
What is the most the late renewal penalty can be (ORS 703.445(1))?ORS 703.445
What may a provisional investigator not do (ORS 703.430(1)(b))?ORS 703.430
What may an investigator working in Oregon on a temporary license not do (OAR 259-061-0110(5)(d))?OAR 259-061-0110
When does a private investigator license expire (ORS 703.430(3))?ORS 703.430
When may the Department let an investigator licensed in another state operate in Oregon by reciprocal agreement (ORS 703.440)?ORS 703.440
Which body adopts the test of investigator competency (ORS 703.415(4) and 703.480(1)(c))?ORS 703.415
Which fact bars a person from an interim license (ORS 703.430(2)(b)(C))?ORS 703.430
Which requirement of ORS 703.415 does a provisional investigator not have to meet (ORS 703.430(1)(b))?ORS 703.430
Requirements of conduct, records and reports 21
A client asks in writing for a written report. How soon must the investigator furnish it (ORS 703.450(9))?ORS 703.450
A court has issued an injunction that touches a case. What does ORS 703.450(3) forbid?ORS 703.450
After a license expires or is revoked, how soon must the license and identification card go back to the Department (ORS 703.450(20))?ORS 703.450
An investigator changes business address. How soon must the Department be notified (ORS 703.460(3))?ORS 703.460
An investigator legally changes name. How soon must the change be reported to the Department (OAR 259-061-0040(2))?OAR 259-061-0040
An investigator who lives outside Oregon must designate what (ORS 703.460(2))?ORS 703.460
Besides a written report on request, which report is every client entitled to (ORS 703.450(9))?ORS 703.450
For how long must an investigator keep case files and records (ORS 703.450(12))?ORS 703.450
How must case files be kept under ORS 703.450(10)?ORS 703.450
May a licensed investigator use unlicensed persons to conduct investigative activities (ORS 703.450(6))?ORS 703.450
May an investigator reveal information about a client to a third party (OAR 259-061-0195(3))?OAR 259-061-0195
What must a contract for investigatory services also include under OAR 259-061-0195(2)?OAR 259-061-0195
What must a written contract with a client clearly state (ORS 703.450(8))?ORS 703.450
What must an investigator tell each client about a contract (ORS 703.450(8))?ORS 703.450
What must every advertisement for an investigator's services include (ORS 703.450(15))?ORS 703.450
When may an investigator give the impression of being connected with a law enforcement agency (ORS 703.450(16))?ORS 703.450
When must an investigator carry the identification card (ORS 703.435(2))?ORS 703.435
Where must an investigator post the license (ORS 703.450(14))?ORS 703.450
Which is one of the core values of the profession named in OAR 259-061-0040(3)?OAR 259-061-0040
Which item must a case file include under ORS 703.450(10)?ORS 703.450
Who answers for the professional and ethical conduct of people working under an investigator's supervision (ORS 703.450(7))?ORS 703.450
Discipline, compliance and penalties 17
A former client files a complaint about the investigator. What must the complainant sign (OAR 259-061-0200(4)(d))?OAR 259-061-0200
A person reapplies after a revocation. What must the person prove, and by what standard (ORS 703.465(4))?ORS 703.465
An investigator is charged with a mandatory disqualifying crime. What may the Department issue at once (OAR 259-061-0300(3))?OAR 259-061-0300
An investigator works a case without the identification card. What is that under ORS 703.993(3)?ORS 703.993
The Department mails questions to an investigator during a complaint investigation. How soon must the investigator respond (OAR 259-061-0200(4)(c))?OAR 259-061-0200
How long does a complainant, other than the Department, have to file a complaint (OAR 259-061-0200(4)(b))?OAR 259-061-0200
Is an investigator's home address open to public records disclosure (ORS 703.473(1))?ORS 703.473
ORS 703.465(4) makes a person wait after a final order of denial or revocation before applying again. For how long?ORS 703.465
Under which chapter is a hearing given when the Department proposes to revoke a license (ORS 703.470)?ORS 703.470
Until when is a complaint against a licensee confidential (ORS 703.473(3))?ORS 703.473
What civil penalty applies to acting as an investigator without a license (ORS 703.995(2))?ORS 703.995
What crime is knowingly falsifying fingerprints or photographs for a license application (ORS 703.993(1))?ORS 703.993
What crime is knowingly practicing as an investigator without a license (ORS 703.993(2))?ORS 703.993
What is the general civil penalty for violating the investigator statutes or rules (ORS 703.995(1))?ORS 703.995
What may the Department offer an investigator as part of the disciplinary process (ORS 703.465(3))?ORS 703.465
What must the Department publish on its website about each investigator (ORS 703.480(2)(c))?ORS 703.480
Which conviction requires the Department to deny or revoke a license (OAR 259-061-0300(2))?OAR 259-061-0300
Other Oregon laws on the Department's study list 14
A person makes a false sworn statement on a material issue, knowing it to be false. What crime is that (ORS 162.065)?ORS 162.065
A person pretended to hold a government office that does not exist. Is that a defense to criminal impersonation (ORS 162.365(2))?ORS 162.365
A person who is not a participant wants to obtain a telephone call by means of a device. What does ORS 165.540(1)(a) require?ORS 165.540
An investigator is employed to assist a lawyer in giving legal services. What is the investigator under ORS 40.225(1)(f)?ORS 40.225
An investigator is handed a recording that the investigator knows was obtained in a way ORS 165.540 prohibits. May the investigator use it (ORS 165.540(1)(e))?ORS 165.540
As a general rule under ORS 165.540(1)(c), when may a person obtain an in-person conversation with a recording device?ORS 165.540
In ORS 165.535, a "conversation" is an oral communication between two or more persons that is not what?ORS 165.535
To get a witness to talk, a person poses as a peace officer. What grade is criminal impersonation of a public servant then (ORS 162.365(3))?ORS 162.365
Under ORS 40.225(2), who holds the privilege to refuse to disclose confidential communications made to obtain legal services?ORS 40.225
Under ORS 40.410, what may qualify a witness to testify as an expert?ORS 40.410
What grade of crime is identity theft (ORS 165.800(2))?ORS 165.800
What grade of crime is stalking with no aggravating factor (ORS 163.732(2)(a))?ORS 163.732
What intent makes obtaining another person's personal identification the crime of identity theft (ORS 165.800(1))?ORS 165.800
Which kind of contact is an element of stalking under ORS 163.732(1)(a)?ORS 163.732
How this list was compiled: Oregon Revised Statutes 703.401 to 703.490, 703.993 and 703.995, investigators (https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors703.html); Oregon Administrative Rules chapter 259, division 61, the investigator rules of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=835); and ORS 40.225, 40.410, 162.065, 162.365, 163.732, 165.535, 165.540 and 165.800, on https://www.oregonlegislature.gov. Each was read on October 16, 2026. The Department's Exam Information page (https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/PI/Pages/Exam%20Information.aspx) describes the exam, OAR 259-061-0100 sets its pass mark, and the Department's Frequently Asked Questions page (https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/PI/Pages/FAQS.aspx) lists the laws to review. 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 statutes and rules named under "source". Nothing comes from the Department's exam, which OAR 259-061-0130 forbids applicants to disclose, or from a training course or a prep publisher.
How it works
Oregon's investigator exam is about 50 multiple-choice questions, with 86 percent to pass. This unofficial Oregon private investigator license practice test asks 105 of our own. Not affiliated with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
Read the full guide
What is asked
Most questions here are on ORS chapter 703 and OAR 259 division 61. A short group samples ORS chapters 40, 162, 163 and 165 from the Department's list of laws to review.
What is left out
ORS chapters 9, 135, 161, 164, 166 and 167, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and fee amounts. The Department publishes no outline, so no topic weights are given.
The exam may be taken no more than three consecutive times; after a third miss the wait is one year (OAR 259-061-0100).
Case files and records are kept for not less than seven years (ORS 703.450(12)).
A written report is owed within seven days of the client's written request (ORS 703.450(9)).
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the Oregon private investigator exam?
About 50 multiple-choice questions, by the Department's Exam Information page. The exam is taken online once the application is processed, and OAR 259-061-0100 sets the minimum passing score at 86 percent.
Is there a study guide for the Oregon private investigator exam?
No. The Department's Frequently Asked Questions page says the program has no study guide and suggests reviewing ORS chapters 9, 40, 135, 161 to 167 and 703, OAR 259 division 61 and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
What are the requirements for an Oregon private investigator license?
Be at least 18 and eligible to work in the United States, pass the exam and a fingerprint check, hold a $5,000 bond or insurance, and have 1,500 hours of investigatory experience or approved study (ORS 703.415).
What is a provisional investigator in Oregon?
A licensed investigator with fewer than 1,500 documented hours. A provisional investigator meets every other requirement, may not employ or supervise other investigators, and completes 40 hours of continuing education every two years (ORS 703.430 and 703.447).
How long is an Oregon private investigator license good for?
Two years from issuance, or to the assigned renewal date (ORS 703.430). A private investigator completes 32 hours of continuing education each period, at least two of them in ethics (OAR 259-061-0240).