ARTICLE 5. Firearms and Baton Training Facilities [7585. - 7585.20.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 5.
in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585. Section 7585.

(a) The course of training in the carrying and usage of firearms, the satisfactory completion of which shall be required of applicants who wish to obtain a firearms qualification card, shall be in the format prescribed by the Department of Consumer Affairs as delineated in the bureau’s “Firearms Training Manual.” The course of training contained in the manual shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Moral and legal aspects of firearms usage. (2) Firearms nomenclature and maintenance. (3) Weapon handling and shooting fundamentals. (4) Emergency procedures. (5) Prequalification range training, including the firing of practice rounds. (6) Qualification course of fire. (7) Examination which has been provided by the bureau of the subject matter taught. (8) The appropriate use of force, as described in paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) of Section 7583.7. (b) The bureau’s development, adoption, amendment, or repeal of the Firearms Training Manual is exempt from the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). (c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2023.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.3. Section 7585.3.

(a) Any institution, firm, participating tribe, or individual wishing the approval of the bureau to offer the firearms course shall complete an application for certification as a firearms training facility. The application shall be in a form prescribed by the chief and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: (1) The name, business address, and telephone number of the institution, firm, entity, or individual. (2) A detailed description of the places, days, and times the course will be offered. (3) An estimate of the minimum and maximum class size. (4) The location and description of the range facilities. (5) The name or names of the firearms training instructors who will teach the course who have been certified by the bureau, and their certificate numbers, if available. (b) The application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.4. Section 7585.4.

Upon approval by the bureau of a firearms training facility, the chief shall issue to the facility a “Firearms Training Facility Certificate.” The certificate is valid only when the firearms training facility has in its employ a firearms training instructor who has been certified by the bureau. The certificate shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the facility.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.4.1. Section 7585.4.1.

(a) (1) Within 120 days after issuance of a “Firearms Training Facility Certificate,” the bureau shall inspect the facility for compliance with the applicable requirements of this article and the applicable rules and regulations of the bureau adopted pursuant to this article. (2) The bureau may inspect the establishment for which a certificate application has been made prior to the issuance of the certificate. (b) The bureau shall maintain a program of random and targeted inspections of facilities to ensure compliance with applicable laws relating to the conduct and operation of facilities. (c) If the bureau determines that any facility is not complying with applicable laws relating to the conduct and operation of facilities, notice thereof shall immediately be given to the facility. (d) In addition to the notice, the bureau may issue a citation or take other disciplinary action for violations of applicable laws.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.5. Section 7585.5.

(a) Any individual who desires certification by the bureau to instruct a firearms course shall complete an application for a firearms training instructor certificate. An application shall be made on a form provided by the bureau. (b) An applicant for a firearms training instructor certificate shall meet the following minimum qualifications: (1) Possess an associate of arts degree in the administration of justice or one year of teaching or training experience in firearms or the equivalent thereof. (2) Possess a police or security firearms instructor training certificate issued by the National Rifle Association or a firearms instructor training certificate issued by a federal, state, or local agency. (c) The application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in this chapter. (d) Upon approval by the bureau of an applicant for certification as a firearms training instructor, the chief shall issue to the applicant a “Firearms Training Instructor Certificate.” The certificate shall be posted at the training site.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.6. Section 7585.6.

(a) All firearms course material provided to the certificate holder in the “Firearms Training Manual” issued by the bureau shall be covered in each class session. In no event shall the class instruction total less than eight hours for the initial firearms qualification. The range instruction for the initial firearms qualification shall not exceed eight hours and shall cover the following subjects: (1) Range safety and procedure. (2) Demonstration and dry firing. (3) Practice rounds. (4) Qualification firing. (b) If a person fails to successfully complete the range instruction, that person may, at the discretion of the firearms training facility, continue range instruction for an additional eight hours. However, the person shall, in order to receive a firearms qualification card, be required to successfully pass the range instruction within 30 days of the passage of the classroom instruction. (c) Prior to range instruction a person shall participate in the classroom instruction and pass a bureau-developed examination of the subject matter with a minimum score of 85 percent. If a person fails to pass the written examination, they shall once more participate in the entire classroom instruction prior to retaking the examination. In no event shall a firearm instructor review the examination question by question with a person, allow a person to review the examination questions and answers, or in any manner assist a person with the examination. (d) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2023.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.7. Section 7585.7.

(a) Each firearms training facility shall be required to retain for two years the following information regarding each student: (1) The student’s name. (2) The date of course completion. (3) Any information regarding the passage or failure of the firearms training course. (4) The instructor’s name. (5) The make and caliber of the qualifying weapon. (6) The range scores. (7) The written examination scores. (b) Records shall be made available for examination by the bureau on demand. (c) Each firearm training facility shall have a written procedure for the security of the written examination which shall be made available for inspection by the bureau on demand.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.8. Section 7585.8.

(a) Each firearm training facility shall, before allowing any person to participate in the course of training in the carrying and usage of firearms, verify and certify on the firearms qualification application that they have seen documentation verifying that the person to whom they are providing firearms training is a citizen of the United States or possesses permanent legal immigration status in the United States in accordance with Sections 7583.23 and 7596.3. (b) Each firearm training facility shall, before allowing any person to participate in the requalification course in the carrying and usage of firearms, verify and certify on the firearm requalification application that the firearm training facility has seen documentation verifying that the person to whom they are providing firearms training is a citizen of the United States or possesses permanent legal immigration status in the United States in accordance with Sections 7583.32 and 7596.7.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.9. Section 7585.9.

(a) The course of training in the carrying and usage of the baton, the satisfactory completion of which shall be required of applicants who wish to obtain a baton permit, shall be in the format prescribed by the Department of Consumer Affairs as delineated in the bureau’s “Baton Training Manual.” The course of training contained in the manual shall include, but not be limited to, the following subjects: (1) Moral and legal aspects of baton usage. (2) Use of force. (3) Baton familiarization and uses. (4) First aid for baton injuries. (5) Fundamentals of baton handling. (A) Stances and grips. (B) Target areas. (C) Defensive techniques. (D) Control techniques. (E) Arrest and control techniques. (6) Examination of the subject matter as taught in the classroom and as provided by the bureau. (b) The baton training outline distributed by the Department of Justice shall be recognized as an approved outline for the baton training course until January 1, 1984, or until the bureau distributes the “Baton Training Manual.”

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.11. Section 7585.11.

(a) Any institution, firm, participating tribe, or individual wishing approval of the bureau to offer the baton course shall complete an application for certification as a baton training facility. The application shall be in a form prescribed by the chief and shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following information: (1) The name, business address, and telephone number of the institution, firm, or individual. (2) A detailed description of the places, days, and times the course will be offered. (3) An estimate of the minimum and maximum class size. (4) Location and description of the facilities. (5) The name or names of the baton instructors who will teach the course who have been certified by the bureau, and their certificate numbers if available. (b) The application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in this chapter. (c) No approval shall be given, and no certification shall be issued, to a baton training facility until a baton training instructor who has been certified by the bureau has been approved to teach the course. (d) Upon approval by the bureau of a baton training facility, the chief shall issue to the facility a “Baton Training Facility Certificate.” The certificate is valid only when the baton training facility has in its employ a baton training instructor who has been certified by the bureau. The certificate shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the facility.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.12. Section 7585.12.

Any individual who desires certification by the bureau to instruct the baton course shall complete an application for a baton training instructor certificate. An application shall be made on a form provided by the bureau. An applicant for a baton training instructor certificate shall meet the following minimum qualifications: (a) Possess an associate of arts degree in the administration of justice or the equivalent thereof. (b) Possess a baton instructor certificate issued by a federal, state, or local agency or one year of verifiable baton teaching or training experience or the equivalent thereof to be determined by the chief. (c) The application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in this chapter. (d) Upon approval by the bureau of an applicant for certification as a baton training instructor, the chief shall issue to the applicant a “Baton Training Instructor Certificate.” The certificate shall be posted at the baton training site.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.13. Section 7585.13.

All baton course material provided to the certificate holder in the “Baton Training Manual” issued by the bureau shall be covered in each class session. In no event shall the class instruction for the course required for baton certification total less than eight hours.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.15. Section 7585.15.

(a) Each baton training facility shall be required to retain for two years the following information regarding each student: (1) The student’s name. (2) The date of course completion. (3) Any information regarding the passage or failure of the baton training course. (4) The instructor’s name. (5) Written examination scores. (b) Records shall be made available for examination by the bureau on demand. (c) Each baton training facility shall have a written procedure for the security of the examinations and the baton certificates which shall be made available for inspection by the bureau on demand.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.16. Section 7585.16.

(a) In the event of the loss, theft, or destruction of a baton permit, a permitholder may request the bureau to issue a replacement permit. The request shall be in writing, shall state the circumstances surrounding the loss, theft, or destruction of the permit and the name of the instructor, training facility, and date of instruction relating to the issuance of the original baton permit. The request shall be accompanied by a fee prescribed in this chapter. The bureau may issue a replacement baton permit upon verification of successful baton training. (b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2018.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.17. Section 7585.17.

Each firearms training facility or baton training facility shall notify the bureau within five working days whenever any training instructor certified by the bureau is employed or ceases to be employed with the training facility.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.18. Section 7585.18.

Each firearms training facility, firearms training instructor, baton training facility, or baton training instructor shall report to the bureau the name of any person who, while taking the course, demonstrated that the carrying and usage of a firearm or the carrying and usage of a baton by that person would present an undue hazard to the safety of the public. The report shall contain the name and address of the student, the name of the student’s employer, if available, and the reasons or specific incident which caused the certificate holder to make the report. All substantiating documents, including, but not limited to, an affidavit from the instructor regarding the incident, or reasons, shall be included in the report.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.19. Section 7585.19.

(a) The chief may refuse to issue or may cancel a previously issued firearms training facility certificate, firearms training instructor certificate, baton training facility certificate, or baton training instructor certificate, or may assess fines pursuant to Section 7587.7, on the grounds that one or more instructors have done any of the following: (1) Failed to maintain the records required by Section 7585.7 or 7585.15. (2) Failed to submit the records to the bureau as required by Section 7585.14. (3) Given inaccurate instructions regarding the laws of California and the regulations of the bureau, including, but not limited to, the necessity of an individual to possess a valid firearms qualification card issued by the bureau prior to carrying any firearm; or the necessity of an individual to possess a valid baton permit issued by the bureau prior to carrying any baton. (4) Used improper caution while instructing students, so as to endanger the safety of students. (5) Failed to instruct completely in accordance with the bureau’s “Firearms Training Manual” as required by Section 7585.6. (6) Failed to instruct completely in accordance with the bureau’s “Baton Training Manual” as required by Section 7585.9. (7) Allowed a noncertified instructor to teach any portion of the firearms course, including range qualification. This does not include range coaches employed to assist the instructor. (8) Allowed a noncertified instructor to teach any portion of the baton course. (9) Falsified any application for registration, firearms qualification card, firearms requalification permit, or baton certificate. (10) Failed to inform the bureau of any range or classroom incident as required by Section 7585.18. (11) Failed to notify the bureau of any change of employment pursuant to Section 7585.17. (12) Made any false statement of fact required to be revealed in the application for certification as a firearms training facility or as a firearms training instructor. (b) Fines shall not be assessed on firearms training facilities which are a part of the California community college system.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7585.20. Section 7585.20.

(a) A firearms training facility certificate, a firearms training instructor certificate, a baton training facility certificate, or a baton training instructor certificate which expires on or after January 1, 1985, shall be placed on a cyclical renewal and shall expire two years following the date of issuance or assigned renewal date. In order to implement the cyclical renewal, the population of licensees mentioned in this section shall be divided into 24 equal groups, the licenses of each group to expire on the last day of each successive month. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the bureau shall have authority to extend or shorten the first term of licensure following January 1, 1985, and to prorate the required license fee in order to implement this cyclical renewal. To renew an unexpired certificate, the certificate holder shall apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the director and pay the renewal fee prescribed by this chapter. (b) If renewal is granted, evidence of renewal of the certificate that the director may prescribe shall be issued to the certificate holder. (c) In the event the certificate holder fails to renew his or her training facility certificate, the certificate shall be automatically canceled, but may be reinstated within three years of the date of cancellation upon application for reinstatement and upon the payment of the reinstatement fee provided by this chapter. In the event the certificate holder fails to renew his or her training instructor certificate, the certificate shall be automatically canceled, but may be reinstated within 30 days of the date of cancellation upon application for reinstatement and upon the payment of the reinstatement fee provided by this chapter. Reinstatement of a canceled certificate shall not prohibit the bringing of disciplinary proceedings for any act committed in violation of this chapter during the period the certificate is canceled. (d) A firearms training facility, a firearms training instructor, a baton training facility, or a baton training instructor whose certificate has not been renewed may obtain a new license only upon compliance with all of the provisions of this article relating to the issuance of an original certificate. (e) A firearms training facility, firearms training instructor, baton training facility, or a baton training instructor certificate shall not be renewed until any and all fines assessed pursuant to Section 7587.7 and not resolved in accordance with the provisions of that section have been paid.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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