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Training & Proficiency
What does proficiency training cost?
Prices vary by training centre and the number of firearm types you train for. Contact GFT directly or find an accredited provider near you for current pricing. GFT courses are all-inclusive: manuals, firearms, ammunition, shooting range and assessment are covered.How long does training take?
Basic training takes one day and intermediate training takes two days. Certificates are usually issued within 1–7 days after completion.Do I need training per firearm type?
Yes. South African law requires separate proficiency training for each firearm category: handgun, shotgun, self-loading rifle, and manually operated rifle each have their own unit standard. GFT offers combination packages that cover multiple types together, saving you time and money.What do I need to start training?
Register at an accredited training centre with a certified copy of your ID and proof of payment. No experience is required. If you have never touched a firearm before, that is completely fine. That is what the training is for.Can I fail proficiency training?
Yes. You must pass both the written theory tests and the practical shooting assessment to receive your proficiency certificate. If you don't pass the practical on your first attempt, you simply do a re-assessment.Can I upgrade to business-purpose later?
Yes. If you later need to carry a firearm for work (security, armed response, or close protection) you can complete the additional business-purpose modules at any accredited provider. The process is the same as your original training.
Competency & the SAPS Process
Proficiency vs competency?
Proficiency is the training certificate issued by your training provider, like GFT, after you pass your exams and practical shoot. Competency is the certificate issued by SAPS after you submit your application and pass their background checks. You cannot apply for a firearm license until SAPS has issued your competency.How long does competency take?
SAPS take ±120+ days to process your application. Submit your application as soon as you have your proficiency certificate in hand. Do not wait.Does my proficiency certificate expire?
Your proficiency certificate and your PFTC Statement of Results do not have an expiry date. They do not expire as long as you keep the originals safe. Records are stored by providers for 6 years.How do I get SAPS competency?
Once you have your proficiency certificate, submit your competency application with the required documents at your nearest SAPS station. SAPS will take your fingerprints and process your application from there.How long is competency valid?
It depends on which type of license you are applying for. If you are applying for a self-defence license (Section 13), your competency is valid for 5 years. If you are going for dedicated hunter or sport shooter status (Section 16), it is valid for 10 years. If you got a competency certificate but never actually applied for a license, it will lapse after 5 years.Can I apply for several at once?
Yes. You can train for and apply for multiple competency certificates simultaneously (handgun, shotgun, rifle) in the same application process. GFT's combination training packages are designed for exactly this. It saves significant time and cost compared to going back later.
Licensing
How do I apply for a firearm license?
A firearm license is done in three steps, in order. Step one: complete proficiency training at an accredited training provider. Step two: apply for your SAPS competency certificate at your nearest police station. Step three: once SAPS issues the competency, apply for the firearm license. You cannot do these simultaneously.What are Section 13, 15 and 16?
Section 13 is self-defence. Section 15 is for occasional hunters or sport shooters not affiliated with an accredited organisation. Section 16 is for dedicated hunters or sport shooters with proven active membership in an accredited association.What if my license expires?
If you do not renew at least 90 days before expiry, the license lapses and you must surrender the firearm to SAPS or a registered dealer. You cannot keep the firearm while unlicensed. You can apply for a new license but the process starts again from scratch. Set a reminder 3 months before your expiry date.What documents do I need to apply?
Competency (SAPS 517): ID copy, proof of residence, training certificates, 3 references, 2 ID photos, R92 fee. License (SAPS 271): ID copy, proof of residence, training certificates, safe photos, 2 ID photos, R175 fee.Can I carry while I wait?
No. You may not possess or carry a firearm until SAPS has issued the official license card. Even if your application is actively being processed, possession without a valid license is a criminal offence under the Firearms Control Act. There are no exceptions.Can permanent residents apply?
Yes. Holders of a permanent South African residence permit qualify to apply.
Renewals & Refreshers
When must I renew my license?
Submit your renewal application at least 90 days before your expiry date. If submitted on time, your license remains valid while SAPS processes the renewal. SAPS has 120 working days to process it. Do not wait until the last month. Station workloads vary and delays are common.How do I renew my competency?
You submit a renewal application at your nearest police station. The full requirements and forms are available on the SAPS website at saps.gov.za. Submit at least 90 days before your competency expires. If submitted on time it remains valid while SAPS processes it.How long does a renewal take?
SAPS takes ±120 days to process a renewal, the same as a new application. Submit as early as you can. If you submitted before your expiry date, your license remains valid throughout the renewal process even if SAPS takes longer than expected.Do I redo training to renew?
No, not for a standard renewal. You submit a renewal application to SAPS with updated documents. You do not need to go back to the training centre.Adding a new firearm type later?
You need to complete the proficiency training for that specific firearm type at an accredited training centre. Once you have the new training certificate, you submit a further competency application to SAPS for that category. Only once SAPS has issued the new competency can you apply for a license for that firearm type. Each new firearm category needs its own training and its own SAPS application. There are no shortcuts.What is Regulation 21?
Regulation 21 is only relevant if you work in the security industry and carry a firearm as part of your job. It is a mandatory annual refresher course that every active armed security officer must complete every 12 months to stay legally compliant. It has nothing to do with your personal self-defence license. If you carry a company-issued firearm at work (security, armed response, cash in transit) you need Regulation 21 every year. GFT offers this course.
About Global Firearm Trainers
Who is Global Firearm Trainers?
Global Firearm Trainers (GFT) is South Africa's nationally accredited Lead Service Provider for firearm training. We develop PFTC-accredited training material used by accredited training centres across all nine provinces. We are accredited by the PFTC and by SAPS.Where are you and when are you open?
GFT's training centre is at 102 Carol Road, Silverfields, Krugersdorp, Gauteng. We are open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:00. Contact us before you visit to confirm course dates and availability: call +27 11 664 6057.Do you train groups or companies?
Yes. GFT can arrange scheduled group training sessions for security companies and organisations that need to train multiple people. This includes business-purpose training, Regulation 21 annual refresher courses, tactical training, firearm instructor training and standard private license training. Email us with your numbers, location, and what training is needed and GFT will come back to you.Is your training accepted nationwide?
Yes. GFT is both PFTC-accredited and SAPS-accredited. Our training material is aligned with the SAQA Firearms Qualification.How do I find a centre near me?
Use the Training Provider finder on this site. Every centre listed uses GFT’s accredited training material and is authorised to conduct the assessments SAPS requires for your competency application.
Become a Training Provider
Who needs to be registered to offer firearm training?
All organisations claiming to provide firearm training according to the Firearms Control Act need to be registered with the Central Firearms Registrar (CFR). Any organisation that wants to offer accredited firearm training must be registered with both the CFR and the PFTC.How do I become a GFT provider?
GFT guides new training centres through the entire PFTC accreditation process: the compliance requirements, quality management documentation, training material supply, and ongoing support to keep your centre compliant. See How to Become a Provider for full details, or apply directly through the provider application.Is there a fee to sign an agreement with GFT?
There is no annual fee or sign-up charge to enter into the agreement. Optional instructor membership (including an instructor card and certificate) is available for individual instructors and is separate from the provider agreement.Do I need my own external moderator?
Moderation arrangements must be in place; however, providers may not appoint an internal moderator for their own assessments. Moderation must be conducted by an independent external moderator in accordance with accreditation requirements.Can a provider have more than one lead service provider?
No. In accordance with Global Firearm Trainers policy, a provider may not operate under multiple lead service providers simultaneously. Alignment to a single lead service provider is required to maintain assessment integrity, documentation consistency, and compliance control.
Existing Training Providers: Moving to GFT
I am already an accredited training provider. How do I move to GFT?
If you are already accredited under another lead service provider and want to transition to Global Firearm Trainers, you must complete the provider application form and choose Switch to Global (already accredited). GFT will review your details and prepare the necessary agreements.Can I continue using my existing training material during the transition?
You may use your remaining stock from your current lead service provider until it is depleted. Thereafter, only GFT training material may be used.Do I need to provide a list of my existing manuals?
Yes. You must provide a list of the manuals you currently have in stock from your existing lead service provider for record purposes.When must I notify my current lead service provider?
Formal written notice must be given to your current lead service provider once your GFT agreement has been signed. Upload a copy of the notice on the Agreements page in your portal (a PDF, photo or screenshot of the email is fine). GFT submits your documents to PFTC once we have it.Does GFT handle the PFTC update?
Yes. Following signature of the agreement and formal notification to your current lead service provider, the necessary documentation will be submitted to the Professional Firearm Trainers Council (PFTC) to update your lead service provider details.How long does the transition take?
The timeframe depends on your existing accreditation status and the processing of the required documentation. Where your PFTC and SAPS accreditation are already in place, the transition can be finalised without delay.When can I start ordering GFT training material?
Because your PFTC and SAPS accreditation is already in place, ordering opens as soon as your agreements are signed. Your provider account is then enabled for ordering and you can order GFT training material in your portal.