Firearm Permit Renewal: Two Hour Refresher Course

In October 2012, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services published an updated "Firearms Training Manual." The update included a correction to the manual's "Requalification" section which erroneously stated that firearm requalification applicants were required to complete a two-hour refresher course only at the time of their fourth semi-annual range qualification (Section IX, Firearms Training Manual). This reference contradicted provisions of the Firearms Training Manual which specifically provided that requalification applicants must complete the two-hour review course prior to firing on the range (Section I (B), Firearms Training Manual). In accordance with California Code of Regulations Section 633, the two-hour refresher course is required to be completed prior to each range qualification course of fire and this clarification has been incorporated in the current Firearms Training Manual (see, California Code of Regulations Section 633, Title 16, Division 7).

It should be noted that the firearm permit application also has been revised, requiring instructors to verify the completion of the two-hour refresher course prior to each range requalification.