Free firearm competency mock test

How the mock test works

1. Choose your firearms: handgun, self-loading rifle or carbine, manually operated rifle or carbine, and/or shotgun. Knowledge of the Firearms Control Act is always included.
2. Answer 40 questions picked at random from 232, in a new order every time: about 20 on the law, 8 on safe handling and 12 on your firearms.
3. See your score by topic and every wrong answer explained, with the section of the Act or unit standard it comes from.
4. Pass mark of 80%. If you don't pass, the next full test opens after 2 hours so you study first. Study mode, with answers as you go, is always open.

What the theory covers

Firearm proficiency training in South Africa is done with an accredited training provider against official unit standards: Knowledge of the Firearms Control Act (compulsory) plus one or more of handgun (119649), self-loading rifle or carbine (119650), manually operated rifle or carbine (119651) and shotgun (119652). The firearm standards cover safe handling, loading and unloading, storage and transport, malfunctions, basic maintenance, and when a firearm may and may not be used.

Each training provider sets its own test, so the format and pass mark can differ from ours. There is no official public SAPS question paper.

Sample questions

1. Who may apply for a competency certificate?

Answer: A South African citizen or a holder of a permanent residence permit. The applicant must be a South African citizen or hold a permanent residence permit. Source: Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, s9(2)(b)

2. How many licenses may you need for three firearms?

Answer: Three: a separate license for each firearm. The Registrar must issue a separate license for each firearm. One document may list several, but each firearm is licensed on its own. Source: Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, s11

3. How long is a section 16 license (dedicated hunting or sport shooting) valid?

Answer: 10 years. A section 16 license is valid for ten years. Source: Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, s27

4. May you change the calibre or barrel length of your licensed firearm on your own?

Answer: No, not without the Registrar's written permission. A firearm whose calibre or barrel length was altered without the Registrar's written permission is a prohibited firearm. Source: Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, s4(1)(f)

5. Your firearm is stolen because you left the safe keys lying around. Can that be an offence?

Answer: Yes: losing a firearm because you didn't keep the keys safe or take reasonable steps is an offence. Losing a firearm because you failed to lock it away, take reasonable steps against loss or theft, or keep the keys secure is an offence. Source: Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, s120(8)(b)

6. A friend asks to borrow your license card to buy ammunition. What does the law say?

Answer: Lending your license document to someone else is an offence. Lending your license, permit or certificate to someone else, or using someone else's, is an offence. Source: Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, s120(9)

7. Where should your trigger finger be until you are ready to fire?

Answer: Straight along the frame, outside the trigger guard. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until your sights are on the target and you have decided to shoot. Source: Basic firearm safety, as taught in all the firearm unit standards

8. Before cleaning a firearm, what must you do?

Answer: Unload it and remove all ammunition from the cleaning area. Unload, check it twice, and keep ammunition away from where you're cleaning. Source: Basic firearm safety, as taught in all the firearm unit standards

9. What is a 'backstop'?

Answer: Something behind the target that safely stops the bullet, like an earth bank. A safe backstop, like a solid earth bank, stops bullets that miss or pass through the target. Source: Basic firearm safety, as taught in all the firearm unit standards

10. After removing the magazine from a pistol, how do you clear the chamber?

Answer: Pull the slide back to eject the round, lock it open and look into the chamber. Work the slide to eject any chambered round, lock the slide open and visually (and physically) check the chamber and magazine well are empty. Source: Unit standard 119649: handle and use a handgun

11. What does the bolt catch (bolt hold-open) do?

Answer: Holds the bolt open, for example after the last shot or for inspection. The bolt catch keeps the action open so you can see the chamber and reload. Source: Unit standard 119650: handle and use a self-loading rifle or carbine

12. Why hold the rifle firmly into your shoulder?

Answer: To control recoil and avoid injury. A loose hold lets the rifle hit you and hurts accuracy. Source: Unit standard 119651: handle and use a manually operated rifle or carbine

Practice only. LicenseWatch is independent and not affiliated with SAPS, the Central Firearms Register (CFR), PFTC, SASSETA or any training provider. These are our own questions based on the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, its regulations and the published unit standards, with the source for every answer. Your accredited training provider sets and marks the real test, and passing here doesn't mean you'll pass yours.

More practice questions

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After you pass your training

Hand in your competency application (SAPS 517) at your police station, then track your competency status until it's approved.

Frequently asked questions

Is the firearm competency mock test free?

Yes. The mock theory test, study mode and practice questions are free with a LicenseWatch account.

Is this the official SAPS competency test?

No. LicenseWatch is independent and not affiliated with SAPS, the Central Firearms Register (CFR), PFTC, SASSETA or any training provider. Your accredited training provider sets and marks the real test. Our questions are written from the Firearms Control Act, its regulations and the unit standards, with sources.

What is the pass mark?

Our practice pass mark is 80%. Training providers set their own pass marks and formats.

Can I retake the mock test?

Yes. If you pass, you can take another one straight away. If you don't, the next full test opens after 2 hours, and study mode stays open in the meantime.

Which firearms can I practise for?

Handgun, self-loading rifle or carbine, manually operated rifle or carbine, and shotgun, together with the Firearms Control Act.

LicenseWatch is an independent service. It is not SAPS or the Central Firearms Register (CFR), and it is not affiliated with them. It reads the same public SAPS status enquiry you can use yourself.