Thank you for visiting our website and making contact with us. Due to misinformation and confusion in the firearms industry, many people are misinformed and are confused regarding training certificates, the SAPS competency process and licensing of firearms. Here are the facts and the steps to assist you.
Training Questions
How long will the Competence and firearm license take from the SAPS?
It depends on the paperwork load they have, approximate 12-15 weeks for the SAPS competence and another 3-6 weeks for the license. Follow up with your DFO.
How long will the training certificates take?
When both open and closed book tests, practical’s complete, the assessor will mark your file, then we print the certificates for you to collect, normally in the same week so you can start your process at the SAPS.
How long will it take me to complete the open book tests?
This is up to you; approximately two weeks, if you complete the questions in the evening, it should take about two weeks. 10 questions a night, Easy
How long will it take me to complete the closed book tests?
It depends on person to person, around one hour.
What if I “fail” my tests?
Then you redo them again, no extra charge!
How long will the Practical take?
Normally we shoot on a Sat from 9am-1pm
Can someone else complete my tests? No, the open book tests must be done by yourself for legal reasons.
What happens when I cannot pass the practical qualificationshoots? you can attend the shoots again; you will need to pay for the ammunition and range fees costs.
The process is a process, however it should be straight forward if you are prepared, share a smile with the SAPS, don’t complain, they also have a job to do. Here are the three phases.
Phase 1: PROFICIENCY TRAINING
Step 1: Make an appointment with us 072.348.7555 or office@magnum-sa.co.za to register for your course. Bring a friend; it’s great to do a course with someone you know.
Step2: Please bring cash or make an EFT payment into our account & bring 2 Copies of ID. Bank details: on request with your invoice
Step 3: Fill in the registrations with us and ask questions
Step 4: Fill in the OPEN BOOK EXAMS with a black pen, no pencil or Tip-ex, do this at home/office or anywhere you want – the answers are in the book.
Step 5: Make an appointment to write your CLOSED BOOK EXAMS at our office. This can only be done at an accredited training centre. The answers cannot be given to you; your books cannot be open during the exam.
Step 6: Join us on the shooting range to complete your practical. This includes the practise with the Firearm including all the fundamentals. Evaluation will be explained to you; however it’s in the back of your book. The basics are easy, if you don’t pass the shooting evaluation, then you just do it again. Don’t stress. We don’t charge for re-assessment
Step 7: Magnum Shooting Academy will mark your tests, complete your portfolio of evidence and then we certify you with a PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE. You will also receive a STATEMENT OF RESULTS from the (P.F.T.C). PROFESSIONAL FIREARM TRAINERS COUNCIL.
These two originals documents must never be lost / stolen; they must NEVER be given to any SAPS / DFO member. These are your property aswell as the training materials you got from the training provider. If you have lost a training provider certificate, you will have to produce an Avadavat from the SAPS stating those facts in order to ask your training provider for a copy.
If the certificate was issued older than 6 years, then you must redo the course, we cannot reprint / reproduce or keep a spare on your file just in case. Certificates cannot be reprinted without a physical Portfolio of Evidence, according to SAQA ruling, we destroy our Portfolios after 6th years in storage.
*Once you have the NEW training provider certificate/s and the NEW P.F.T.C Statement of Results, you never have to repeat this PROFICIENCY TRAINING AGAIN – Our certificates don’t expire so long as you have copies and the originals.
Make certified copies of the certificate and the Statement of Results and give them to the D.F.O. at the SAPS. Make extra copies and keep on file, aswell as copy and scan them into a computer for you next renewal or application, don’t lose them.
If you have attended any courses, from old or new, your certificates must have these Unit Standard numbers on them, aswell as a P.F.T.C. Statement of Results. If you only have the certificate “Knowledge of the Act”, you must do a practical aswell. This is a SAPS ruling not ours.
E.g. Training provider certificate -Unit standard: 117705 – Demonstrate the Knowledge of the Firearms control Act -60-2000
Practical course: Unit Standard: 119649 – Handle and Use a Handgun
You need both these unit standards when you are applying for a Handgun license or renewal of the license; you need the NEW TRAINING CERTIFICATE and the NEW STATEMENT OF RESULTS FROM PFTC.
Phase 2: SAPS COMPETENCE
Step 1: Complete a SAPS COMPETENCE APPLICATION in black pen.
Download applications from our website www.magnum-sa.co.za or go to the SAPS and collect.
2x Copies of your ID Book
Copies of your Training certificates and P.F.T.C. Statement of Results!!!
4 Colour photos
R70.00 in cash to be paid to the SAPS
References from wife, friend, Doctor, Priest (Church) or work, people that know you for a long time, this is for your background check to see you are not violent or dependant to drugs or alcohol etc.
Hand this into the SAPS in the area that you reside, find the firearm department and apply with the D.F.O (Designated Firearms Officer).
This will take approximately 3 months
Phase 3: SAPS LICENSE
Step 1: Complete a SAPS LICENSE APPLICATION in black pen.
Download applications from our website www.magnum-sa.co.za or go to the SAPS and collect.
Purchase / Deposit a firearm at a Firearm dealer, he will give you the firearm details for the application.
Check their terms and conditions of the firearm purchase
R140.00 per firearm application to be paid to the SAPS
Copies of your ID Book.
Build a motivation; it’s like a C.V. – WHY DO YOU WANT THAT FIREARM. Our motivations are FREE!! – Download a free motivation from our website here and fill it in using all you’re details, if it’s a Firearm for SELF DEFENSE, then you must say in your motivation that the firearm will be used for
“Last resort”, as you have already all the necessary security measures in place – walls, dogs, alarm etc.
Make a copy of your application in the case of the SAPS have misplaced or lost it.
We can build your application / motivation for a fee so you can hand it all in to SAPS.
Buy a safe (SABS Approved – GUN SAFE) and bolt it into your house. Not a cheap digital safe.
Magnum Shooting Academy can assist you in your safe purchase, delivery and fitment, enquire for a quotation.
If you would like to download Training Registration and SAPS Procedure in PDF form please feel free to do so via the link below.
The team at MSA are here to assist you, request if you want higher levels of training for Intermediate /Business purposes/ Security/ Game ranger/ Tactical and Close Protection Officer training.
MSA-South Africa is accredited with SASSETA, SAPS, P.F.T.C and PSIRA to offer all training from Basics to Firearms Instructor, Tactical Instructor and Assessor.
If you need assistance with company applications or you need a consultant, please email the MSA team.
We are sure that this information will assist you with your applications and getting your firearms licensed.
Firearm ownership is a great responsibility, the firearm will do what is asked, be safe with your firearms and always use your awareness to prevent an attack. See them before they see you. James Bristow
World Class training program with outstanding instructorship from James Bristow and Craig Bristow. Thank you for your high standard of professionalism and guidance. Would highly recommend MSA.
Vadim Dobrin August 15, 2022
Thank you James and Craig, you presented a very well presented course and learned new skills.
Nico Le Roux March 15, 2023
Well done Instructors
James Bristow August 15, 2020
Did my instructors course with magnum And i can proudly say that i would refer anyone that wants to do firearm training to these guy.
