Competency renewal
Your competency certificate expires, and if it lapses you cannot renew your firearm licences either. We prepare your complete competency renewal, and your licence renewal with it if the dates line up, so you hand in once and on time.
99% of rejected applications are due to mistakes. Not with us. We prepare your full application and you receive a ready-to-print, ready-to-submit application with further instructions.
Free to ask. You get the right application and your price before you pay anything.
Cathy van der Westhuizen
For 27 years Cathy was the officer who received and checked firearm applications at the station. She knows exactly what the DFO looks for and why files come back. She checks every application before it reaches you.
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google · 27 years SAPS · Not SAPS, no guarantees
1 Hand in at least 90 days before the expiry date on your competency certificate. Read the date on the certificate; do not work from memory.
2 Check your firearm licence expiry dates too. Competency and licences usually expire together, and both can be renewed in one hand-in.
Competency already expired? Message us anyway and we will tell you the correct route for your licences.
How it works
Our process and what it includes
- Everything runs via email. The final product you receive from us is ready to print and submit, with further instructions.
- Each application is 100% correct, without the mistakes that delay the process.
- Includes the declarations and the two testimonials SAPS requires, with wording guidance for the people who write them, and the supporting SAPS documentation completed in advance on behalf of the DFO.
- You simply go to the station by appointment to take fingerprints, pay and sign. The rest is completed and ready for submission, without the risk of delays due to application faults.
- Licence renewal due as well? We prepare both for one hand-in. Ask us for a combined price.
Getting started
WhatsApp us the expiry date on your competency certificate and on your licences. We confirm the right application and send you an estimate.
If you accept the estimate, we send you the invoice. As soon as payment is received, you receive an email with the list of documents we need to complete your renewal.
What you get
- The SAPS competency renewal application typed and complete, for every type of firearm on your certificate
- The declarations SAPS requires, prepared for your signature
- Guidance for your two testimonial writers on what SAPS expects them to say
- Your supporting documents in the order the DFO expects, with a checklist on top
- Every page checked by Cathy before it goes to you
- Exact hand-in instructions, including keeping the stamped proof that you applied in time
Basic document needs
Phone photos are fine. You bring the originals to the station. Your checklist after payment lists exactly what your case needs.
- A copy of your ID
- Your current competency certificate (front and back)
- Your firearm licences, if you hold any
- Proof of where you live, not older than three months
- Two testimonials from people who know you (we tell you what they must say)
Cost. One fixed price, told to you on WhatsApp before you pay. The SAPS fee is paid separately in cash at the station; your checklist gives the exact amount.
Competency renewal: frequently asked questions
South Africa, Firearms Control Act, through your local SAPS Designated Firearms Officer.
Normally five years alongside a self-defence licence and ten years alongside a hunting or sport-shooting licence. If all four firearm categories are on one competency certificate and you hold a licensed section 13 self-defence handgun, the five-year rule applies to the whole certificate, regardless of your section 15 or 16 licences. It runs with the licence it relates to, so the two usually expire together. Read the date on your certificate and diarise it a year ahead.
At least 90 days before the expiry date on the certificate, the same rule as a licence renewal. SAPS does not send reminders.
Usually, because they expire together and a licence cannot be renewed without a valid competency for that type of firearm. We prepare both for one hand-in at the station.
The SAPS 517(g) competency renewal application, with the declarations and two testimonials. It is a different form from the first competency application and from the licence renewal. We complete it for you.
No. A competency renewal does not require new proficiency training. You renew on your existing certificate with the declarations, testimonials and supporting documents.
SAPS asks two people who know you to confirm, in writing, that you are a fit and proper person to keep possessing firearms. We tell your two writers exactly what SAPS expects the testimonial to cover, so it is not sent back.
You cannot renew your firearm licences until competency is sorted, and an expired licence becomes a new licence application. Message us with your dates and we will tell you the correct order of steps.
SAPS publishes no guarantee and it differs by station. Hand in on time and your certificate remains valid while SAPS decides; keep the stamped proof of hand-in.
One fixed price for our work, told to you on WhatsApp before you pay anything. SAPS charges its own fee, paid in cash at the station when you hand in; your checklist gives the exact amount.
No. You hand in your own renewal at your police station; nobody may do that for you. We are an independent private company, not SAPS, and we cannot guarantee a decision. We make sure your file is complete, correct and on time. SAPS decides.
What clients say
Google reviews ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google
“Exceptional service from start to finish!”
Bernadette Richter
“Wow, what an absolute pleasant experience I’ve had working with you.”
Brendon
“Our family had a unique scenario with an estate firearm application and Cathy gave us the proper advice over a consultation call. Her expertise is above and beyond.”
Combrinck Associates
Facebook page reviews Recommended on Facebook · 6 000 followers · See our Facebook page
“Fast, efficient and friendly! Cathy is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with! Highly recommended!”
Chris Kriel · Facebook recommendation
“Best in the business and thoroughly knowledgeable. Quick responses. Most definitely recommend and wish them all the best in their business.”
Ashley Clint Newton · Facebook recommendation
“I have received excellent assistance from Cathy for many years as a firearm owner.”
Alivia Brown · Facebook recommendation
Contact us
Send us your competency and licence expiry dates on WhatsApp or by email. We reply during office hours, Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00, with the right application and your price.
Firearm Licensing Assistance SA is an independent private consultancy. We are not part of SAPS and cannot approve, speed up or guarantee any application. You hand in your own application; we prepare and check it. We do not sell firearms or ammunition.