California requires a Firearm Safety Certificate before you can buy a handgun, and a safety test before you can buy a long gun

California has two separate written tests for gun purchases. The Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) is required to buy a handgun or ammunition. The safety test for long guns (rifles and shotguns) is a separate requirement. Both are pass-or-fail written exams administered by licensed firearms dealers, and you must pass before the dealer can complete your purchase.

You take the test at the gun shop where you are buying the firearm, not at a government office. The dealer gives you the test, scores it on the spot, and issues your certificate if you pass. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You cannot buy the gun until you have passed.

The tests are not hard — most people pass on the first try — but they do cover real safety rules, and you have to score at least 75 percent to pass. There is no fee for the test itself, though the dealer may charge a small fee (usually $1 to $5) to administer it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must pass a written safety test at the gun dealer before buying any firearm in California, and the test is given on the spot when you are ready to purchase.
  • The Firearm Safety Certificate covers handgun safety and is valid for five years; the long gun test covers rifle and shotgun safety and must be passed each time you buy a long gun.
  • Both tests are multiple-choice, cover California law and basic firearm handling, and require a score of 75 percent or higher to pass.
  • You can study the official test materials for free on the California Department of Justice website before you go to the dealer.

What the Firearm Safety Certificate covers

The FSC test has 30 multiple-choice questions about handgun safety, California gun laws, and safe storage. Topics include how to handle a firearm safely, how to store it so children cannot access it, what the law says about carrying a gun in public, and what happens if you break the law. The test is based on a study guide published by the California Department of Justice.

Once you pass, your FSC is valid for five years. You can use it to buy multiple handguns during that time — you do not have to retake the test for each handgun purchase. However, if your certificate expires, you must pass the test again before buying another handgun.

If you fail the test, you can retake it the same day at most dealers, though some may charge another small fee. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it.

What the long gun safety test covers

The long gun test is shorter — usually 10 to 15 questions — and covers rifle and shotgun safety, California hunting and firearm laws, and safe storage. It is also based on a study guide from the California Department of Justice. You must pass this test every time you buy a rifle or shotgun; there is no multi-year certificate for long guns.

The test takes about 10 minutes and uses the same pass-or-fail standard: 75 percent correct. If you fail, you can retake it when ready at most dealers.

How to study for the test

The California Department of Justice publishes free study guides for both the FSC and the long gun test on its website. These guides contain the actual topics and types of questions that appear on the real test. Reading through the guide takes 20 to 30 minutes and covers everything you need to know.

The guides cover basic firearm safety (how to hold a gun safely, how to store it, how to handle it around others), California-specific laws (where you can and cannot carry a gun, what counts as a legal firearm, penalties for breaking the law), and safe storage requirements (what the law requires if you have children or other people in your home).

You do not have to study — the test is designed so that anyone with basic common sense about safety can pass — but reading the guide takes very little time and removes any doubt about what to expect.

When and where you take the test

You take the test at the licensed firearms dealer where you are buying the gun. You cannot take it anywhere else or in advance. The dealer administers the test as part of the purchase process, usually after you have selected the firearm and filled out the federal background check paperwork.

The test is given on paper or on a computer, depending on the dealer's setup. Either way, you get your results when ready. If you pass, the dealer prints or writes your certificate and keeps a copy on file. If you fail, you can usually retake it right away.

There is no waiting period between the test and the purchase — if you pass, the dealer can complete the sale the same day, subject to California's 10-day waiting period that applies to all firearm purchases.

What happens if you fail

If you do not pass the test, you cannot buy the firearm that day. You must retake the test and pass before the dealer can sell it to you. Most dealers allow you to retake the test when ready, though some may ask you to come back another day.

There is no penalty for failing — you can take the test as many times as you need. However, each retake may involve another small fee from the dealer. If you fail multiple times, it may be worth spending 20 minutes reading the study guide before trying again.

If you fail and decide not to buy the gun, there is no record of the failure. The test is only recorded if you pass.

Your FSC and long gun test are separate

Do not confuse the two tests. The FSC is for handguns and ammunition, lasts five years, and you only take it once per certificate. The long gun test is for rifles and shotguns, has no expiration, and you must pass it each time you buy a long gun.

If you have a valid FSC, you do not have to take the long gun test to buy a handgun — the FSC covers that. But you still have to pass the long gun test to buy a rifle or shotgun, even if you have an FSC.

Some people take both tests on the same day if they are buying both a handgun and a long gun. Others take the FSC first and the long gun test later when they buy a rifle. The order does not matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the test before I go to the gun shop?

No. California law requires that you take the test at the licensed dealer where you are buying the firearm. You cannot take it online, at a police station, or anywhere else. The test is part of the purchase process and must be administered by the dealer.

What if I have a gun permit or concealed carry license from another state?

Out-of-state permits do not count in California. You must pass the California test before buying a firearm in California, regardless of what permits you hold elsewhere. The FSC and long gun test are California-specific requirements.

Do I need the FSC to buy ammunition?

Yes. California requires a valid FSC to buy ammunition, just as you do to buy a handgun. If your FSC has expired, you must pass the test again before the dealer can sell you ammunition. Long gun ammunition also requires an FSC.

How much does the test cost?

The test itself is free. Some dealers charge a small fee ($1 to $5) to administer it, but this is optional and varies by dealer. There is no state fee or government charge for taking the test.

What if I lose my FSC certificate?

If you lose your certificate, contact the dealer who issued it and ask for a replacement. The dealer has a copy on file. If you cannot reach the original dealer, you can take the test again at any licensed dealer and get a new certificate. Your five-year period starts from the date you first passed, not from the date you retake the test.