North Dakota Security Guard
Practice Test

A. The North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board ✓

B. The North Dakota Department of Commerce

C. The North Dakota Attorney General's Office

D. The North Dakota State Police

Correct — A. The North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board (NDPISB) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating private security guards. Applicants must meet the Board's requirements before working as a licensed security guard.

A. A graduated scale matching the level of force used to the level of threat presented ✓

B. A policy requiring security guards to use maximum force in every situation

C. A checklist guards complete before each shift

D. A legal document signed by the property owner

Correct — A. The use-of-force continuum is a framework that guides security personnel to apply the minimum level of force necessary to control a situation, escalating only as the threat level increases and de-escalating as the threat decreases.

A. Police power of arrest

B. Eminent domain

C. Citizen's arrest authority ✓

D. Judicial order enforcement

Correct — C. Security guards derive their authority to detain from the same citizen's arrest authority available to any private person. They do not possess police power and cannot arrest beyond what state law allows private citizens to do.

A. Physically subduing a suspect before a confrontation can develop

B. Using communication and calm techniques to reduce tension and avoid the need for force ✓

C. Calling for police backup before attempting any contact

D. Retreating from all confrontations regardless of circumstances

Correct — B. De-escalation involves using verbal skills, tone of voice, body language, and empathy to calm a potentially volatile situation so that physical force becomes unnecessary. It is the preferred approach whenever it can be safely applied.

A. Actively pursuing and apprehending suspects

B. Watching for incidents and documenting them without direct intervention ✓

C. Conducting undercover investigations on behalf of law enforcement

D. Issuing criminal citations to violators on private property

Correct — B. The observe-and-report role means the guard monitors the premises, notes suspicious activity, and reports findings to supervisors or police rather than taking direct enforcement action. This approach minimizes liability and keeps the guard safe.

A. Using verbal commands to direct people

B. Wearing body armor

C. Carrying a flashlight

D. Carrying a firearm while on duty ✓

Correct — D. An unarmed security guard license authorizes the holder to work WITHOUT firearms. Carrying a firearm requires separate armed guard certification, firearms training, and compliance with additional state requirements.

A. A written warning only for a first offense

B. Loss of the employer's business license automatically

C. Mandatory community service of 100 hours

D. Criminal misdemeanor charges and possible fines ✓

Correct — D. Operating as a security guard without a valid North Dakota license is a criminal offense that can result in misdemeanor charges and monetary fines. Both the unlicensed individual and potentially the employer may face penalties.

A. Justified because the person was previously combative

B. Necessary to ensure the person does not escape

C. Excessive force, which could result in criminal and civil liability ✓

D. Reasonable if the guard felt nervous about the situation

Correct — C. Applying force to a person who is restrained and no longer resisting is excessive force. The legal standard for force requires it to be proportional to the current threat, not a past threat that has already been neutralized.