Proficiency training is the first real step towards owning a firearm legally. It's a course at an accredited training provider where you learn the law and show you can handle a firearm safely. Without the certificate you get at the end, there's no competency application, and without a competency there's no licence.
What it is and why it comes first
The Firearms Control Act says a first-time competency applicant must have passed the test on the Act and the prescribed training and practical tests (section 9(2)). SAPS's own guidance puts it in order: pass the tests at an accredited training provider, then apply for competency once you have the training certificate.
Training, then competency on the SAPS 517, then a licence on the SAPS 271 for each firearm.
What it covers
The course has two parts: knowing the law, and handling the type of firearm you want. Each part has been built on a SAQA unit standard (SAQA is the South African Qualifications Authority).
| Unit standard | What you show you can do |
|---|---|
| 117705 | Know the Firearms Control Act as it applies to owning a firearm (NQF level 3, 3 credits). |
| 119649 | Handle and use a handgun. |
| 119650 | Handle and use a self-loading rifle or carbine. |
| 119651 | Handle and use a manually operated rifle or carbine. |
| 119652 | Handle and use a shotgun. |
Pick the handling modules that match the firearm you plan to buy. A self-loading rifle and a bolt-action rifle are separate units, and hunting associations report that SAPS treats them as separate competencies too.
SAQA's register shows unit standards 117705 and 119650 as "Passed the End Date", with registration ending on 30 June 2023. We couldn't confirm what replaces them or the last date to achieve them. A December 2025 news report also says SASSETA (the safety and security sector education body) is trying to take firearm trainer qualifications back from the Professional Firearm Trainers Council, and that this is in dispute. Ask your provider which course and certificate you'll get, and how it's recognised today.
Finding an accredited provider
Use official lists, not adverts. We don't name or recommend any provider.
- The SAPS list. SAPS publishes accredited training providers as a PDF on its firearms (FLASH) page, under "Accreditation". The file on the page is dated 2019, and we couldn't confirm whether SAPS keeps a newer one. The same page lists accredited shooting ranges and associations.
- The trainers' council. The South African Professional Firearm Trainers Council is a SAQA-recognised professional body, recognised until 9 May 2027. A national hunting association says proficiency training may only be given by providers accredited to the council, and points to its website (pftc.co.za) to check. We didn't find an official provider search there.
- Ask SAPS. The SAPS firearms call centre is on 012 353 6111, or email cfrenquiry@saps.gov.za.
Questions to ask before you book
- Are you accredited, and can I see the proof? Check it against the SAPS list or with the trainers' council yourself.
- Which firearm types does the course cover? Make sure it matches what you'll tick on the SAPS 517.
- Is the knowledge test on the Act included, or is it a separate booking?
- Is the practical done at an accredited range? The regulations require it.
- Which certificate and statement of results will I get, and how long until I have them?
- What does the price include: range fees, ammunition, use of a firearm?
- Given the unit standard changes, how is this course recognised today?
What you take away
You leave with a proficiency (training) certificate from the provider. SAPS says you apply for competency "on receipt of the training certificate" from an accredited provider or the trainers' council. A national hunting association also advises keeping copies of your training certificates and the council's statement of results, and adding them to your licence application later.
Older certificates may still count. The same association says POSLEC certificates and SASSETA certificates from before 2016 remain valid.
Next step: apply for your competency certificate.
What it costs
We haven't found a reliable source for training prices, so we don't quote one. Prices vary by provider and by how many firearm types you train for. Ask for a written quote that lists everything included.
The SAPS fees that follow are separate. The 2025/26 gazetted fee for a competency certificate is R92. Confirm the current fee at your DFO.
Questions
Can I apply for competency without training?
No. The Act requires a first-time applicant to have passed the test on the Act and the training and practical tests.
Do I need to train separately for a rifle and a shotgun?
Yes. Each firearm type has its own handling unit, and rifles are split into self-loading and manually operated.
Is my old training certificate still valid?
A national hunting association says POSLEC certificates and SASSETA certificates from before 2016 remain valid. If you're unsure, ask your DFO before you apply.
How do I know a provider is genuine?
Check it on the SAPS accredited providers list on the SAPS firearms page, or with the trainers' council. Don't rely on the provider's own word alone.
