🔥 How do I get started: Proficiency Training for Competence
In South Africa, taking control of your personal safety and exercising your rights as a responsible firearm owner begins with one word — competence.
Competence means more than simply owning a firearm legally; it means understanding how to handle, store, and use it safely, confidently, and effectively. Whether your goal is personal protection, sport shooting, hunting, or professional firearm management, your first step is Proficiency Training through an accredited provider such as Tac SHAC Training Academy.
🧭 Step 1: Complete Proficiency Training
Before applying for a firearm competency certificate from the South African Police Service (SAPS), you must complete accredited proficiency training. This ensures you understand both the theory and practical application of firearm safety, operation, and legislation.
At Tac SHAC, training is conducted by PFTC-accredited instructors with 5–45 years of combined experience, in a safe, supportive environment suitable for beginners, experienced shooters, and professionals.
Legal Knowledge Forms the Foundation
At the core of all firearm competencies is Unit Standard 117705 – Knowledge of the Firearms Control Act.
This unit standard is mandatory and must be completed before any other unit standards. Legal knowledge ensures learners understand their rights, responsibilities, and the legal framework, forming the base for all practical, business, or supervisory training.
💡 Key takeaway: Everything else — civilian proficiency, business units, and Range Officer training — is built on this foundation.
Unit Standards for Civilian Proficiency
Once legal knowledge is complete, learners may proceed to the 4 basic firearm unit standards for civilian competence:
1. Unit Standard 119649 – Handle and Use a Handgun
2. Unit Standard 119650 – Handle and Use a Self-Loading Rifle/Carbine
3. Unit Standard 119651 – Handle and Use a Manually Operated Rifle/Carbine
4.Unit Standard 119652 – Handle and Use a Shotgun
These modules cover safe handling, loading, unloading, malfunctions, maintenance, and live-fire practice.
💡 Tip: Completing all four units ensures versatility, confidence, and full preparedness for Range Officer training or advanced professional pathways.
Business Unit Standards (Professional / Commercial Use)
For firearm trainers, security officers, or individuals intending to trade in firearms and ammunition, Tac SHAC provides the PFTC-accredited Business Unit Standards:
Unit Standard 123515 – Handle and Use a Handgun for Business Purposes
Unit Standard 123514 – Handle and Use a Shotgun for Business Purposes
Unit Standard 123511 – Handle and Use a Self-Loading Rifle or Carbine for Business Purposes
Unit Standard 123519 – Handle and Use a Manually Operated Rifle or Carbine for Business Purposes
These modules are specifically designed for professionals who require legal, practical, and operational competence in their work.
Range Officer Training
Tac SHAC also offers PFTC-accredited Range Officer training, which equips learners to:
• Safely supervise shooting activities
• Manage ranges professionally
• Ensure compliance with legal and safety standards
Prerequisites for Range Officer Training:
• Unit Standard 117705 – Legal Knowledge (mandatory)
• All 4 basic civilian firearm units (Handgun, Self-Loading Rifle, Manually Operated Rifle, Shotgun)
💡 Tip: Range Officer training is the capstone of civilian firearm proficiency — it assumes full legal knowledge and competence in all standard firearm platforms.
📚 Step 2: Complete the Assessments
All modules, whether civilian, business, or Range Officer, include:
• Theory (Formative Assessment) – Open-book test to confirm understanding
• Theory (Summative Assessment) – Closed-book evaluation of knowledge retention
• Practical Assessment – Live-fire evaluation under instructor supervision
At Tac SHAC, assessments are designed to build confidence and competence, not just award certificates.
🧑🏫 Step 3: Choose the Right Training Provider
To be legally recognised, training must be conducted by a PFTC-accredited provider.
✅ Tac SHAC Training:
• We provide both male and female training
• We can provide female trainers and female-only courses
• Trainers bring 5–45 years of experience
• Provides all modules: Legal Knowledge, civilian proficiency, Business Unit Standards, and Range Officer certification
• Ensures legal knowledge is completed first, forming the foundation for all other skills
📝 Step 4: Complete the Application Process
Once training and assessments are complete, the process to apply for your Competency Certificate and subsequent Firearm License is as follows:
- Complete the Open-Book (Formative) Test in the manuals in your own time.
- Complete the Closed-Book (Summative) Test at the training provider, followed by a range session. You will need to shoot four times the rounds required for your final test.
- Example: For a handgun, if your final test requires 10 rounds, you will shoot at least 40 rounds of live ammunition during training.
- The training provider issues a PFTC Statement of Results plus a Certificate of Completion.
- Complete the SAPS 517 form: https://www.saps.gov.za/services/flash/firearms/forms/english/e517.pdf and submit it to your closest Designated Firearms Officer (DFO) along with 3 character references.
- SAPS has 90 working days to process your application, conduct a criminal record check, and approve or decline. If declined, you may appeal.
💡 Support: GOSA provides a CFR Follow-up service for delays beyond 90 days and can assist with the appeals process.
⚖️ Understanding Firearm License Categories
After proficiency training, you can apply for your Competency Certificate and the appropriate Firearm License:
• Section 13 – Self-Defence (1 handgun or manually operated shotgun, valid 5 years)
• Section 15 – Occasional Hunting/Sport Shooting (up to 4 firearms, valid 10 years)
• Section 16 – Dedicated Hunter/Sport Shooter (multiple firearms if justified, valid 10 years)
• Section 14: Restricted Firearm for Self-Defence (1 semi-automatic shotgun or rifle, 2-year validity)
🛠️ Why Train with Tac SHAC?
Legal knowledge is the base, and every other module builds upon it. Tac SHAC ensures learners gain full competence, confidence, and compliance.
Our Advantages:
✅ PFTC-Accredited Training – Civilian, business, and Range Officer modules recognised nationally
✅ Experienced Instructors – 5–45 years combined expertise (Male & Female)
✅ Female Trainers & Female-Only Courses – Comfort, confidence, empowerment
✅ Comprehensive Curriculum – Civilian, Business Unit, and Range Officer training
✅ Safe, Professional Environment – Theory and live-fire conducted under expert supervision
✅ Fast Certification – Official certificates issued promptly
🚀 Take the First Step Toward Competence
Whether your goal is personal safety, sport shooting, hunting, or professional firearm training/business, start with Legal Knowledge, build through the basic civilian units, then progress to business or Range Officer modules for full professional competence.
📍 Location: Tac SHAC, Randburg, Johannesburg
📧 Email: Lynette@TacSHACOnline.co.za
📲 WhatsApp: +27 72 244 8262
🌐 Website: www.TacSHACOnline.co.za