CA-FSC FSC Legal Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How long is a California Firearms Safety Certificate valid after it is issued?
- 1 year
- 3 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 10 years
Correct answer: 5 years
A California FSC is valid for five years from the date of issuance.
Question 2: Which state agency is responsible for administering the Firearms Safety Certificate program in California?
- California Highway Patrol
- Department of Justice (Correct answer)
- Department of Consumer Affairs
- Bureau of Firearms Licensing
Correct answer: Department of Justice
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) oversees and administers the FSC program.
Question 3: A California resident purchases a long gun (rifle or shotgun) from a licensed dealer. Under FSC law, who is required to have a valid FSC?
- Only the licensed dealer
- Only buyers under age 21
- Any purchaser or transferee of a firearm (Correct answer)
- Only buyers of handguns
Correct answer: Any purchaser or transferee of a firearm
Since January 1, 2015, any person who purchases or receives a firearm of any type must have a valid FSC.
Question 4: Which of the following persons is EXEMPT from the FSC requirement when acquiring a firearm in California?
- A first-time gun buyer
- An active peace officer acquiring a firearm for personal use (Correct answer)
- A person who completed a hunter safety course 10 years ago
- A non-resident purchasing at a gun show
Correct answer: An active peace officer acquiring a firearm for personal use
Active peace officers are among the statutory exemptions from the FSC requirement under California law.
Question 5: What minimum score must an applicant achieve on the FSC written test to pass?
- 70%
- 75%
- 80% (Correct answer)
- 85%
Correct answer: 80%
Applicants must correctly answer at least 23 of the 30 questions, which equals 80% correct, to pass the FSC test.
Question 6: Under California law, what is the minimum age to take the FSC test and receive an FSC?
- 16
- 18
- 21
- There is no minimum age for taking the test (Correct answer)
Correct answer: There is no minimum age for taking the test
There is no minimum age requirement to take the FSC test itself, though a person must still meet the legal age to purchase a firearm.
Question 7: If a person's FSC expires and they wish to purchase a firearm, what must they do?
- Renew it online through the DOJ website
- Retake and pass the FSC test at a licensed dealer (Correct answer)
- Present their expired FSC to the dealer as proof
- Apply for a waiver from the county sheriff
Correct answer: Retake and pass the FSC test at a licensed dealer
An expired FSC cannot be renewed; the person must retake and pass the FSC test at a licensed dealer to obtain a new certificate.
CA-FSC FSC Legal Requirements 2
How long is a California Firearms Safety Certificate valid after it is issued?