Private Investigator Exam Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Private Investigator Exam facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which type of evidence is considered 'direct evidence' in an investigation? → Evidence that directly proves a fact without requiring inference
2. What is the first step in identifying a photo lineup? → Include only one suspect in each procedure.
3. A PI's client asks them to hack into the subject's email account to gather evidence. How should the PI respond? → Refuse, as this violates the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and is a federal crime
4. Which public records source would BEST reveal whether a subject has had a professional license revoked, suspended, or subject to disciplinary action? → State professional licensing board records
5. When a PI testifies in court, which ethical obligation applies? → Testify truthfully and accurately about observations and methods
6. A PI discovers that a witness in a case is reluctant to provide a statement. Which approach is ethically and legally appropriate? → Explain the PI's role, ask questions politely, and accept refusal if given
7. Anything that tries to verify or invalidate an alleged truth is known as ______. → Evidence
8. A PI is hired to investigate insurance fraud. The subject is the PI's neighbor. What is the PI's ethical obligation? → Disclose the conflict of interest to the client before accepting the case
9. A PI is hired to locate a missing adult. What is the first recommended step? → Interview known associates and family members
10. When is it appropriate to abort a surveillance operation? → When the investigator believes they have been detected
11. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), when can a PI legally obtain a consumer credit report? → Only for permissible purposes such as employment screening or court orders
12. A client asks a PI to find out where a person lives without disclosing why. The PI should: → Determine the purpose and ensure it is lawful before proceeding
13. Before asking you to describe what happened, the investigator first notes that there were two witnesses present. → Stick to your story anyway
14. In a workers' compensation fraud investigation, what type of surveillance is most commonly used? → Mobile and fixed video surveillance
15. When writing an investigation report, which writing style should a PI use? → Objective, factual, and free of personal conclusions or opinions
16. Choose the statement about private investigators that is most accurate. → A Private Investigator must follow all laws Federal, Provincial and Municipal.
17. Which of the following hearsay types is most likely to be admitted as evidence in court? → All of the above
18. Which best describes a "false informant"? → This individual intentionally provides misleading information.
19. The act or process of thoroughly investigating a crime, situation, or statement in order to determine the truth. → Investigation
20. Which public record can reveal whether a subject owns real estate and at what address? → County assessor or property tax records
21. This type of search pattern is used for very large areas. The area is divided into pie-shaped pieces that are searched individually using the Strip/Line method. → Pie/Wheel
22. What is 'chain of custody' and why does it matter to a PI? → The documented, unbroken record of who handled evidence and when, ensuring its integrity
23. Which type of lien appearing in a property records search would indicate that a subject has unpaid federal or state taxes? → Tax lien filed by a government authority
24. The oral statement of a witness who testifies to what they know about the case is this form of admissible evidence: → Testimony
25. Which of these is not a rule for how to deal with informants? → Investigators should pay informants without a signed statement.
26. Which federal law restricts a PI's ability to obtain financial account information through pretext calls to banks? → The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
27. Which of the following describes a 'conflict of interest' situation a PI must avoid? → Representing opposing parties in the same case without full disclosure and consent
28. When writing a PI investigation report, which element is MOST critical to include for professional and legal purposes? → Objective, factual observations with precise times, dates, and locations
29. Which of the following is an example of a 'cold case' investigation that a PI might be hired to assist with? → Reviewing decades-old evidence and locating witnesses for an unsolved crime
30. What is the primary purpose of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between a PI and a client? → To protect confidential information shared during the investigation