PSIRA Grade D study plan

Define the core legal concepts governing private security work in South Africa, including the distinction between public and private security authority

Explain the role and mandate of the regulatory authority for the private security industry

Distinguish between the powers of a security officer and those of a police officer in law

Identify the ethical duties of a security officer toward the public, clients, and colleagues

List the consequences of operating without registration or in breach of industry regulations

Describe the legal limits on the use of force, detention, and search by a security officer

Explain how the Bill of Rights constrains security operations, especially regarding dignity, privacy, and freedom of movement

Outline the officer's duties when making a citizen's arrest

Identify offences commonly encountered in security work and the correct reporting response to each

Apply a legal principle to two short workplace scenarios and justify the correct action

Describe the daily duties and expected conduct of a security officer on shift

Explain the chain of command and reporting lines within a security team

Distinguish between the officer's responsibilities to the client, the employer, and the public

Identify professional presentation and communication standards for dealing with the public

Explain the officer's duty to record and report incidents accurately and on time

Integrate legal constraints with day-to-day role duties in written answers

Explain how ethical conduct applies when handling conflict with members of the public

Describe the officer's obligations when a colleague acts unlawfully or unethically

Apply the correct reporting procedure to a combined legal-and-role scenario

Explain the purpose and principles of access control at a controlled entry point

Describe the correct procedure for verifying identity and authorisation before granting entry

Outline the steps for searching persons, vehicles, and items within legal limits

Explain the purpose, types, and frequency of patrols and how to record them

Identify common access control and patrol failures and how to prevent them

Describe how to conduct a patrol that observes, records, and reports anomalies

Explain the correct response to an access control breach or unauthorised entry

Outline fire safety basics: prevention, detection, and evacuation principles

Describe the officer's role during an emergency evacuation and how to account for people

Explain how to write an accurate incident report using the who, what, when, where, and action structure

Describe first-response priorities at an emergency scene: safety, alerting, and preserving life

Explain basic first aid principles appropriate to a security officer's scope

Outline the correct procedure for reporting emergencies to internal and external parties

Identify health and safety hazards in the officer's own workplace and how to mitigate them

Explain the officer's duty to preserve a scene and evidence until relieved

Revise all four domains using your own notes and corrected self-tests

Complete a timed full-length practice exam under exam conditions

Analyse every incorrect answer and identify the underlying knowledge gap

Re-test weak areas until you reach consistent accuracy

Confirm exam-day logistics, requirements, and what to bring