A Short California Private Investigator Exam Sample Quiz

8 Questions | By Ssundahl | Updated: Mar 18, 2022 | Attempts: 1165

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A Short California Private Investigator Exam Sample Quiz - Quiz

California state government introduced some new laws replacing a few old ones that affecting private investigators in the state. So, if you are residing in California and aspire to become a private investigator, you certainly need to have a face-off with those laws. This quiz is created with the consideration of those new changes to laws. So, take this quiz and brush up your CA PI laws knowledge that will help you clear your exam for such a role.

Questions and Answers

1.

Robert is a retail sales clerk. One day, he sees an old detective show on T.V. and decides he’d like to be a “Private Investigator” despite having no experience in the PI business. Though he never actually claims to be licensed, he buys some camera gear, puts on an old trench coat, and starts soliciting clients who pay him for his investigative services. Due to lack of experience, of course, Robert makes some serious mistakes and his angry clients report him to BSIS. What action may be taken against Robert?
- A.
  
  BSIS may immediately have Robert arrested for misdemeanor fraud per Civ. Code §1572 and have him imprisoned in the county jail for up to 1 year.
- B.
  
  BSIS may issue Robert a citation with an administrative fine of up to $5,000 and where appropriate, an order of abatement.
- C.
  
  Robert may be fined $2,500 and charged with an infraction per B&P Code §7520.1(c); and at arraignment, Robert will have the option to elect to have his case proceed as a misdemeanor instead.
- D.
  
  Authorities may ignore Robert because he has not actually broken any laws.
2.

Sam is not a licensed private investigator; however, advertises private investigation services in an online phone directory. What type of action can BSIS undertake?
- A.
  
  Issue a citation with an administrative penalty up to $5,000 and an order to cease and desist.
- B.
  
  BSIS does not have authority over internet advertising; therefore BSIS can do nothing but ask Sam to remove his listing.
- C.
  
  Notify the local District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
- D.
  
  Issue a citation with an administrative penalty up to $7,500.
3.

Private Investigator Mary is hired by attorney Sam to help prove his client is innocent of a crime he is accused of. Mary goes out to interview neighbors near the crime scene and runs into a sex offender who attacks her in his garage. Mary sprays him with a tear gas weapon she carries openly on her belt at all times and thus escapes unharmed. Mary has not taken any training courses for such a simple weapon because it works so easily. Which of the following is the best answer?
- A.
  
  All Private Investigators should carry some form of self-defense weapon if they are doing any work in the field. Mary was smart to be prepared.
- B.
  
  Mary has violated the B&P Code and the Penal Code and may have her PI license suspended immediately by the Dept of Consumer Affairs/BSIS.
- C.
  
  Mary has not violated the law because the CA Penal Code §12403.5 specifically allows Private Investigators to carry tear gas (not guns) without taking a training course, as long as it is not concealed.
- D.
  
  Mary may be issued a citation and a fine by BSIS for not taking the required BSIS teargas course in advance of carrying the weapon.
4.

A popular tabloid known as “Extreme Press,” hires a well known Private Investigator named “Robert.” Extreme Press requests Robert to locate a popular vocal artist named Janet Star. Extreme Press also requests Robert to take close-up photographs of Janet’s face. Sources say Janet was recently beaten by a former lover. Robert is able to locate Janet shopping in a clothing store. Robert approached Janet and asks her for an interview. Janet declines by saying “not now.” When Janet begins to walk out of the store, Robert uses his body to block the exit. Robert says “hold on” and snaps several photographs of Janet. Which of the following is true?
- A.
  
  Robert is able to take the photographs as long as he blocks Janet’s exit for a “reasonable” amount of time.
- B.
  
  There is no crime, tort, or administrative violation since celebrities lose a “reasonable expectation of privacy” afforded to others without celebrity status.
- C.
  
  The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services may impose a $3,000 fine and/or suspended/revoke Robert’s Private Investigator license.
- D.
  
  Robert is liable for up to three times the amount of any general and special damages, disgorgement, subject to punitive damages, and a fine of not less than $5,000, but no more than $50,000.
5.

If you have any outstanding tax obligations due to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) or the State Board of Equalization (BOE) and appears on either the FTB or BOE's certified lists of top 500 tax delinquencies over $100,000, BSIS is required to _________________________________.
- A.
  
  Suspend the license/certificate/registration of any applicant or licensee.
- B.
  
  Deny the application for an applicant for a period not to exceed 30 days or suspend the license for a period not to exceed 60 days.
- C.
  
  Administer a fine of no less than $10,000, but no more than $5,000 and require the outstanding tax obligations be met.
- D.
  
  Administer a fine of no less than $2,500, but no more than $5,000 and require the outstanding tax obligations be met within 90 days of notice.
6.

Mark, a private investigator is hired by Corporation XYZ to perform pre-employment background checks on prospective employees. Which of the following is not true regarding the obtaining of credit reports for employment purposes?
- A.
  
  Mark may not obtain a credit report for employment purposes under any circumstances.
- B.
  
  Mark can obtain a credit report for an applicant applying for a managerial position.
- C.
  
  Mark can obtain a credit report for an applicant applying for a position having regular access to bank or credit card information, social security numbers, and date of births.
- D.
  
  Mark can obtain a credit report for an applicant applying for a position involving regular access to cash totaling $10,000 or more in one day.
7.

John, a private investigator is hired by Corporation XYZ to perform pre-employment background checks on prospective employees. Prior to requesting a consumer credit report for employment purposes, which of the following is true?
- A.
  
  The user of the report must inform the person that a report will be used, identification of the specific basis for use of the report, the source of the report, and a checkbox if he/she desires a copy.
- B.
  
  The user of the report must inform the person that a report will be used, identification of the specific basis for use of the report, and cost.
- C.
  
  John may not use any form of the consumer credit report for employment purposes.
- D.
  
  The user of the report must inform the person that a report will be used and a statement mentioning the person has a right to an attorney.
8.

Which of the following is true regarding the denial of employment based wholly or partly because of information contained in a consumer credit report?
- A.
  
  The user of the report must advise the applicant that an adverse action has been taken and supply the name and address or addresses of the consumer credit reporting agency making the report.
- B.
  
  The applicant may file a lawsuit under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- C.
  
  The user of the report must report the findings to the Department of Labor, then the Federal Trade Commission.
- D.
  
  The user of the report does not have to do anything.