FSC questions, answered
Short answers to the questions people ask most about California’s Firearm Safety Certificate. Each one links to the DOJ page or regulation it comes from.
How many questions are on the FSC test?
Thirty: 10 true/false and 20 multiple choice. [11 CCR §4253(a)] What's on the test.
What score do you need to pass the FSC test?
At least 23 of the 30 questions right, which is 75%. [11 CCR §4253(g)] [DOJ FAQ]
How much does the FSC cost?
At most $25 for the test and the certificate, and that covers a second attempt if you fail the first. [11 CCR §4252(b)] [DOJ FAQ]
Where do you take the FSC test?
With a DOJ Certified Instructor. Instructors are generally located at firearms dealers. [DOJ FAQ]
What do you need to bring to take the FSC test?
You must be at least 18 and show a valid California driver license or California identification card. [11 CCR §4252(a)] [DOJ FAQ]
Can you retake the FSC test if you fail?
Yes. After 24 hours you can take a different version of the test from the same instructor at no extra charge. Your $25 covers that one retest. [11 CCR §4253(h)] [DOJ FAQ]
How long is an FSC valid?
Five years from the date it was issued. [DOJ FAQ] [DOJ guide p.1]
What if I lose my FSC?
The instructor who issued it can give you a replacement for $5 with proof of identity. The replacement keeps your original expiration date. [DOJ FAQ] [DOJ guide p.32]
How do you study for the FSC test?
Read the DOJ's free FSC Study Guide. The DOJ calls it the best way to prepare and says it contains all the information necessary to pass the test. [DOJ FAQ] The guide, chapter by chapter.
Can I use notes during the FSC test?
No. Once you begin, you may not use notes or review materials or get help from anyone, and being caught doing so disqualifies you. [11 CCR §4253(d), (i)]
Do I need an FSC if my parent gives me a gun?
Yes. You need a valid FSC before you take possession, and you must report the transfer to the DOJ within 30 days. [DOJ FAQ]
Do I have to carry my FSC with me?
No. Simply owning or possessing a firearm does not require an FSC. You present it to the dealer when you begin a purchase. [DOJ FAQ]
Do I need an FSC to move to California with my guns?
No, but there are rules for bringing firearms into the state, and new residents must report their firearms to the DOJ within 60 days or sell or transfer them. [DOJ FAQ] [DOJ guide p.33]
Who is exempt from the FSC?
Groups including active, reserve and honorably retired military, peace officers, CCW permit holders and FFL collectors with a Certificate of Eligibility (curio and relic handguns only). A valid hunting license exempts you for long guns only. [DOJ FAQ] [DOJ FAQ] The full list.
Is the safe handling demonstration part of the FSC test?
No. It is a separate step: before a dealer delivers a firearm, you load and unload it with a dummy round in front of a DOJ Certified Instructor. The guide says the demonstration steps will not appear on the written test. [DOJ FAQ] [DOJ guide p.10] The steps.
Ready to practice?
Try 30 free FSC practice questions, each answer explained and linked to its page in the DOJ guide.
Sources
- California DOJ, Firearm Safety Certificate Program: Frequently Asked Questions
- Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, § 4252: FSC test applicant qualifications and fee
- Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, § 4253: FSC test topics, guidelines, scoring and recordkeeping
- California DOJ, Firearm Safety Certificate Study Guide (2025 edition, PDF)
Every fact on this page was checked against these sources on . noshu is not affiliated with the California Department of Justice, and this is a study aid, not legal advice: the DOJ and the statutes are the authority. If something here is wrong, tell us at a@noshu.net.