SB948 (2026): Amendments to Firearm Safety Certificate Requirements

What the Bill Would Do

Senate Bill 948 proposes amendments to California's Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) program, which is governed by Penal Code sections 31610-31700^[1]. Since January 1, 2015, California has required all firearm purchasers to possess a valid FSC, which is obtained by passing a written test administered by a DOJ-certified instructor at a licensed firearms dealer. The FSC replaced the former Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC), which applied only to handgun purchases. The certificate costs $25 and is valid for five years.

SB948 was amended in committee and passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on a 5-1 vote on March 17, 2026^[2]. The fact that the bill was amended as part of the committee process suggests substantive changes were negotiated before passage. The bill has been re-referred to the Appropriations Committee.

Current Status

SB 948 passed the Senate 28-9 on May 27, 2026, after coming off the Senate Appropriations suspense file with further amendments in May. In the Assembly, the Public Safety Committee passed it 7-1 as amended on June 30, and it was re-referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on July 2, 2026. The Legislature is in summer recess until August 3, 2026, and August 31, 2026 is the last day for final passage in the 2025-2026 session. The bill was amended at several stops, so the current text on the Legislature's website should be reviewed for the operative changes to the FSC program.

What to Watch

The FSC program affects every firearm purchase in the state, so any changes to testing requirements, fees, validity periods, or exemptions will have broad impact. Current exemptions include active and retired law enforcement (PC 31700), licensed hunters (PC 31700(b)), and military personnel (PC 31700(c)). Whether SB948 modifies these exemptions, changes the test content, or adjusts the fee structure will determine its practical impact on the approximately 1.2 million firearms transactions processed annually in California.