PSP Practice Test

The PSP is the ASIS International certification for security professionals who assess sites, design physical security systems and put those measures in place. This page has free practice sets by topic and worked explanations for sample questions. It also lists the official content weights, the current fees, eligibility and retake rules, and a study plan that connects our questions to the official ASIS material.

PSP Exam at a Glance

What changed for PSP in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Delivery changed to Prometric test centers; remote proctoring only by approved accommodation from 1 Sep 2026; English or Spanish (previously Prometric test centers (remote proctoring only as an approved accommodation since 1 Sep 2026); English or Spanish).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Eligibility changed to 5 yrs physical security experience (no degree); 4 yrs with a bachelor's; 3 yrs with a master's; 1 year less with an APP (previously 5 yrs physical security experience (no degree), 4 yrs with a bachelor's, 3 yrs with a master's; 1 year less with an APP).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Exam fee changed to $580 ASIS members / $910 nonmembers (previously $580 ASIS members / $910 nonmembers (application + exam)).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Score release changed to Preliminary result within ~5 hours; official score in about 3 weeks (previously Preliminary results within 5 hours; official score in about 3 weeks).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Other (update 2026-08-04) changed to ASIS updated its Board Certification Handbook on 4 August 2026, including moving PSP exam scheduling to the Prometric website. (previously ASIS updated its Board Certification Handbook on August 4, 2026, and moved PSP exam scheduling to Prometric's website.).^[1]
• Aug 4, 2026: ASIS updated its Board Certification Handbook on 4 August 2026, including moving PSP exam scheduling to the Prometric website.^[1]

What the PSP is and how it works

According to ASIS International, “A scaled score of at least 650 is required to pass ASIS examinations.”^[1]

The Physical Security Professional (PSP) credential from ASIS International shows that you can assess physical security risk, design and integrate security systems, and put those measures into practice. The exam covers Application, Design, and Integration of Physical Security Systems (35%), Physical Security Assessment (34%) and Implementation of Physical Security Measures (31%).

Eligibility. You need 5 years of physical security experience without a degree, 4 years with a bachelor's degree, or 3 years with an advanced degree. If you already hold the APP, you need 1 year less. The ASIS certification handbook explains what counts as qualifying experience and which degrees qualify.

Delivery. The exam is offered year-round at Prometric test centers, in English or Spanish. Since 1 September 2026, remote proctoring is available only through an approved accommodation. Once ASIS approves your application, you have a 1-year eligibility period to sit the exam.

Cost and scoring. The fee is $580 for ASIS members and $910 for nonmembers. You need a scaled score of at least 650. You get a preliminary result within about 5 hours, and ASIS sends official verification of your score in about 3 weeks.

Retakes and renewal. You can take the exam up to 3 times within your eligibility period, with 60 days between testing dates. Each retake costs $480. Certification runs on a 3-year cycle and requires continuing education to stay current. Fees and policies change, so check the details on the ASIS website before you apply.

PSP content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official PSP content outline published by ASIS International, with the share of the exam each area carries. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through PSP questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: In access control, what does the term 'two-person integrity rule' require?

1. Two guards must patrol together at all times
2. Two authorized individuals must be present to access a sensitive area
3. Two separate authentication factors must be used
4. Two supervisors must approve access requests

Answer: B. Two authorized individuals must be present to access a sensitive area

Explanation:

B is correct. The two-person integrity rule requires two authorized individuals to be present together when a sensitive area or material is accessed. Neither person can act alone without the other seeing it, which reduces insider threat.

• A describes patrol staffing. Guards walking in pairs does not control who enters a protected space.
• C describes multi-factor authentication. It confirms a person's identity with several credential types but still lets that person enter alone.
• D describes an approval workflow. Supervisors sign off before access happens, but that does not put a second person at the point of access.

Rule to remember: two-person integrity means authorized people are physically present at the same time. It is not about extra credentials or paperwork.

Example 2

Question: According to ASIS guidelines, how long should alarm event logs be retained for commercial and industrial facilities?

1. 30 days minimum
2. 90 days minimum
3. 1 year minimum
4. Indefinitely

Answer: C. 1 year minimum

Explanation:

C is the keyed answer: keep alarm event logs for commercial and industrial facilities for at least 1 year. That much history lets investigators trace incidents that are reported late. It also supports legal proceedings and shows trends, such as nuisance alarms that keep recurring in the same zone.

• A (30 days) and B (90 days) are too short. Many investigations, claims and audits start after those windows close, and seasonal alarm patterns would be lost.
• D (indefinitely) sounds safe but is not the guideline. Keeping logs without a limit adds storage and records-management costs with no stated need.

Rule to remember: keep logs long enough for investigations, legal action and trend analysis. Local law or company policy may require longer, so check the current ASIS references.

Example 3

Question: What is the role of a central management system (CMS) in security system integration?

1. To monitor and control integrated security systems from a single interface
2. To physically connect all security devices
3. To increase the number of security cameras
4. To replace the need for on-site security guards

Answer: A. To monitor and control integrated security systems from a single interface

Explanation:

A is correct. A central management system ties integrated subsystems such as access control, video and intrusion detection together. Operators can then monitor alarms and control devices from a shared interface, which improves situational awareness and response.

• B confuses software with infrastructure. Cabling and network hardware connect the devices physically; the CMS manages them logically.
• C is wrong because a CMS does not add cameras. It manages whatever devices are already installed.
• D is wrong because integration supports security officers rather than replacing them. People still assess alarms, dispatch responses and handle incidents.

Rule to remember: integration means unified monitoring and control. It does not mean adding hardware or removing the human response.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official ASIS certification handbook and content outline so you know what each domain covers. Then take the PSP practice test without notes to see where you stand.

Split your time by weight. Application, Design, and Integration of Physical Security Systems (35%) and Physical Security Assessment (34%) make up most of the exam, so give them the largest share of your study hours.

• Design and integration: work through Security System Integration, Access Control Systems, Intrusion Detection Systems and Video Surveillance and CCTV.
• Assessment: use Risk Management and Asset Protection.
• Implementation (31%): use Maintenance Procedures, Perimeter Security and Physical Barriers, Security Lighting and CPTED and Emergency Planning and Response.

After each set, read every explanation, including the ones for questions you got right, and write the rule in your own words. If a topic keeps tripping you up, go back to the ASIS reference material instead of memorising our wording. Our questions are practice items, not real exam questions. Take the full practice test again near the end and spend your last review on the areas that are still weak. Book your Prometric appointment with enough time left in your eligibility period.

Sources & last verified

1. ASIS International — passing score, retake policy, delivery, eligibility (official source). “A scaled score of at least 650 is required to pass ASIS examinations.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.
2. ASIS International — exam fee, retake fee (official source). “ASIS Members: $580” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.
3. ASIS International — validity (official source). “You must complete 60 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours during your three-year certification cycle to remain certified.” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
4. ASIS International — other (official source). “application design and integration of physical security systems 35%” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.