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Renewing your firearm competency: the SAPS 517(g)
Your competency certificate expires on the same day as the licence it belongs to. It is renewed on the SAPS 517(g), handed in together with the licence renewal.
When does a competency expire?
Since 2011 a competency certificate stays valid for as long as the licence it relates to (section 10(2) of the Act). So it is not a flat five years: it follows your licence, five years for a section 13 licence, ten for a section 15 or 16 licence.
| Section | What it is for | Valid for | How many |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 13 | A firearm for self-defence, a handgun, not fully automatic | 5 years | 1 |
| Section 14 | A restricted firearm for self-defence, where a Section 13 handgun is not enough for the threat | 2 years | 1 |
| Section 15 | Occasional hunting and sport-shooting | 10 years | 4 |
| Section 16 | Dedicated hunter or dedicated sport-shooter | 10 years | No fixed limit |
| Section 17 | Private collection | 10 years | No fixed limit |
| Section 19 | Public collection, a museum or accredited institution | 10 years | No fixed limit |
| Section 20 | Business purposes, security, training, film and TV, game ranching, hunting businesses | 5 years (10 for hunting businesses) | No fixed limit |
The exception is a muzzle-loader competency, which lapses ten years from when it was issued.
Renew it with the licence
Section 10A says the competency renewal is applied for together with the renewal of the licence it relates to. In practice: the SAPS 517(g) and the SAPS 518(a) go in at the same time, at least 90 days before the licence expires. If they are lodged in time, both stay valid until SAPS decides.
What the SAPS 517(g) asks
- Your personal details, address and contact details.
- The competency you are renewing (the type of firearm, and the certificate number).
- The SAPS declarations about your record and health, answered honestly.
- A sworn declaration that you still meet the requirements for competency.
- Two character references: people who know you, each completing and signing a reference form with a copy of their ID.
Commonly forgotten
People renew the licence and forget the competency, or the other way round. If the competency lapses, the licence renewal has nothing to stand on. Renew both together, and use the free renewal date checker to see your last day.
This is general information about South African firearm law and SAPS procedure, not legal advice, and we are not SAPS. Where your situation is unusual, a past conviction, a pending case, a firearm inherited from a deceased estate, speak to a firearms attorney.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a firearm competency certificate valid?
As long as the firearm licence it relates to (section 10(2) of the Firearms Control Act): five years for a section 13 self-defence licence, ten years for sections 15 and 16. A muzzle-loader competency lapses ten years after issue.
Which form renews a firearm competency?
The SAPS 517(g), handed in together with the SAPS 518(a) licence renewal, at least 90 days before the licence expires.
How many character references do I need for a competency renewal?
Two. Each referee completes and signs a reference form and attaches a copy of their ID.
Let us prepare it for you
Firearm License Pro SA builds your complete SAPS-ready application from the details on your profile, the correct SAPS form, a motivation letter written for your section, and a checklist of the supporting documents you need for a competency renewal. You check it, print it, and hand it in.
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