To renew your permit, you must complete:

• Four (4) firearms qualifications
• Two qualifications during each 12-month period
• No two qualifications may be less than four months apart

BSIS recommends following its suggested qualification schedule, but any schedule that meets these timing requirements is acceptable.

Example:

Year One

• Qualification #1
• Qualification #2 (minimum four months later)

Year Two

• Qualification #3
• Qualification #4 (minimum four months later)

Before each of your four range qualifications, you must complete a 2-hour classroom review course covering:

• Use of force
• De-escalation of force

This means you will complete the two-hour review four separate times during your two-year permit period.

During your renewal period, you must also pass the BSIS Written Firearms Examination.

Requirements:

• Minimum passing score:
  • 86% (45 correct answers out of 52)
• The law does not require the exam to be taken during a specific qualification.
• BSIS recommends taking it during the second year of the permit period.

The written exam is a separate requirement from the four classroom reviews.

You do not take the written exam four times.

You only need to pass it once during the renewal cycle.

Each qualification requires you to successfully complete the BSIS course of fire.

Minimum passing score:

• 80% (200 out of 250 points)

You must qualify with every caliber that appears on your permit. If your permit lists multiple calibers, you must qualify with each caliber during that qualification. The instructor certifies that you completed the review course, passed the written exam (if applicable), and qualified with at least an 80% score.

A firearm simulator may be used, but only under limited circumstances.

Rules:

• Maximum one simulator qualification during each 12-month period
• The other qualification that year must use live ammunition
• Simulator qualifications must use a simulator that complies with BSIS regulations

This means during a normal two-year permit period:

Year One

• One live-fire qualification
• One simulator or live-fire qualification

Year Two

• One live-fire qualification
• One simulator or live-fire qualification

A simulator cannot replace all four qualifications.

After each qualification, the BSIS-certified Firearms Training Instructor completes one certification page.

The instructor records:

• Review-course date
• Written exam date and score (when applicable)
• Range date
• Qualified caliber(s)
• Live ammunition or simulator
• Instructor certificate number (TIF)
• Facility certificate number (TFF)

Only the instructor who conducted the training may complete and sign that qualification page.

Once all training is finished:

Complete pages 1 and 2 of the Firearms Permit Renewal Application.

You are responsible for providing:

• Personal information
• Current qualifying BSIS license information
• Signature under penalty of perjury

By signing, you certify that you completed:

• Required classroom training
• Required range qualifications
• Required written examination

Every renewal must also include the California Department of Justice:

BOF 4040A – Biennial Firearms Permit Qualification Application, which can be found here – Biennial Firearms Permit Qualification Application

This allows DOJ to verify that you remain legally eligible to possess firearms.

Your renewal package should include:

✔ Completed BSIS Renewal Application

✔ Four instructor-certified qualification pages

✔ DOJ BOF 4040A application

✔ Renewal fee

Mail the complete package to BSIS at least 60 days before expiration or submit via Breeze.ca.gov