NZ Security Licence NZ Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the PSPPIA, what is a 'certificate of approval'?
- A document issued to an individual security worker confirming they are licensed under the Act (Correct answer)
- A company licence allowing a business to operate as a security company
- A training completion certificate from a security training provider
- A temporary permit allowing an unlicensed person to work under supervision for up to 30 days
Correct answer: A document issued to an individual security worker confirming they are licensed under the Act
A certificate of approval is the individual licence issued to a security worker. It is personal to the holder and distinct from any company licence their employer may hold.
Question 2: What must a security guard carry while performing security duties?
- Their certificate of approval or a copy, available for inspection on request (Correct answer)
- Only their employer's company ID card
- A copy of the PSPPIA
- A first aid certificate and their employment contract
Correct answer: Their certificate of approval or a copy, available for inspection on request
Security guards must carry their certificate of approval (or a copy) while on duty and must produce it for inspection if requested by Police or other authorised persons.
Question 3: Under the Act, can a security company employ an unlicensed person to carry out security work?
- No — any person performing security functions must hold a valid certificate of approval (Correct answer)
- Yes — for the first 30 days of employment while awaiting licence approval
- Yes — if they are under direct supervision of a licenced guard at all times
- Yes — unlicensed staff may perform crowd control but not guarding duties
Correct answer: No — any person performing security functions must hold a valid certificate of approval
The Act prohibits security companies from employing persons who do not hold a valid certificate of approval to perform security functions. There is no grace period for employment of unlicensed workers.
Question 4: What obligations does the Act place on security companies regarding their employees' licences?
- Companies must ensure all security staff hold valid certificates of approval and must notify the PSPLA of relevant changes (Correct answer)
- Companies only need to verify licences at the time of hiring
- Companies must provide monthly licence status reports to the PSPLA
- Companies are only responsible for their permanent staff, not contractors
Correct answer: Companies must ensure all security staff hold valid certificates of approval and must notify the PSPLA of relevant changes
Licensed security companies have ongoing obligations to verify that all security staff hold valid licences and to notify the PSPLA of changes relevant to their staff's fitness or conduct.
Question 5: What does it mean for a security guard to act 'within the scope of their licence'?
- Performing only the security functions authorised by the type of licence they hold (Correct answer)
- Acting within the geographic boundaries of their employer's area of operation
- Only working the hours specified in their licence conditions
- Only working at premises where their employer holds a contract
Correct answer: Performing only the security functions authorised by the type of licence they hold
The PSPPIA creates different licence categories (security guard, crowd controller, etc.) and holders may only perform the functions authorised by their specific licence type.
Question 6: Under the Act, what is the term of a security guard's certificate of approval?
- One year (Correct answer)
- Two years
- Three years
- Five years
Correct answer: One year
Certificates of approval under the PSPPIA are issued for one year and must be renewed annually, allowing ongoing suitability to be assessed regularly.
NZ Security Licence NZ Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010 2
Under the PSPPIA, what is a 'certificate of approval'?