Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Questions and Answers Part 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How long is a California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) valid?
- 1 year
- 3 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 10 years
Correct answer: 5 years
A California Firearm Safety Certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. After 5 years, the holder must retake and pass the FSC test to obtain a new certificate in order to purchase another handgun in California.
Question 2: Which California agency administers the Firearm Safety Certificate program?
- California Highway Patrol (CHP)
- California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) (Correct answer)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- California Department of Consumer Affairs
Correct answer: California Department of Justice (CA DOJ)
The California Firearm Safety Certificate program is administered by the California Department of Justice. DOJ-certified instructors at licensed firearms dealers administer the FSC test and issue certificates to qualifying purchasers.
Question 3: What score must you achieve on the California FSC written test to pass?
- At least 60%
- At least 70%
- At least 75% (Correct answer)
- At least 80%
Correct answer: At least 75%
Applicants must correctly answer at least 75% of the questions on the 30-question FSC test, meaning at least 23 correct answers, to receive a passing score and be issued a Firearm Safety Certificate.
Question 4: Who is exempt from the California FSC requirement when purchasing a handgun?
- Anyone over age 65
- Active duty military personnel and peace officers who meet statutory requirements (Correct answer)
- California residents who already own a firearm
- People who have completed a Hunter Safety course
Correct answer: Active duty military personnel and peace officers who meet statutory requirements
California law provides specific exemptions from the FSC requirement for active duty military members, peace officers, and certain other qualified individuals. These exemptions are narrowly defined and do not apply to the general public based on prior ownership or age.
Question 5: Where must the California FSC test be taken?
- At any California DMV office
- At a California Department of Justice facility
- At a California licensed firearms dealer that employs a DOJ-certified instructor (Correct answer)
- Online through the CA DOJ website
Correct answer: At a California licensed firearms dealer that employs a DOJ-certified instructor
The FSC test must be administered in person by a DOJ-certified instructor at a California licensed firearms dealer. The test cannot be taken online, at the DMV, or at a DOJ facility. You receive the certificate from the licensed dealer after passing.
Question 6: What is the fee for taking the California FSC test?
- Free of charge
- $5
- $25 (Correct answer)
- $50
Correct answer: $25
California law sets the maximum FSC test fee at $25. This fee is paid to the licensed firearms dealer/DOJ-certified instructor who administers the test. Of this fee, a portion goes to the dealer and a portion goes to the Department of Justice.
Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Questions and Answers Part 3
How long is a California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) valid?