Private Security, Private Investigator, and Bail Bond Recovery Agent Firearms Certificate

Welcome to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Private Security, Private Investigator, and Bail Bond Recovery Agent Firearms Certificate Page.  You must have a Firearms Certificate to obtain an Armed License from the Washington State Department of Licensing (WA DOL).  The WSCJTC is mandated to issue Firearms Certificates per RCW and WAC.

Firearms Certificate Program Update 11/2023

Firearms Certificate Program Update 10/2023

Firearms Certificate Program Update 05/2023

Obtaining a Firearms Certificate

 To obtain the firearms certificate, please follow these steps.

  1. Apply at the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) for your Armed License.
  2. Complete an 8-hour Firearms Certificate Training Class using one of our Private Security Certified Instructors.  We offer a study guide that is available for download.
  1. Complete the written test.
  2. Complete your firearm qualification for each firearm make/model you carry while working (including long arms, if applicable).

 

Fully Commissioned Law Enforcement Officers that would like to apply for a Firearms Certificate, please view this information sheet. 

 

Application submission:

Your agency/company must send the complete application packet to WSCJTC on your behalf. Fees are submitted separate from the application packet.

 

Fee submission:

After submitting the application, the $100 application fee (per application type & per person) must be sent to the WSCJTC. Once the application and fee are processed, the firearms certificate will be emailed to the applicant, the  company, and WA DOL. 

 

There are 2 options:

  1. Mailed in:
    1. Please allow 2 weeks for processing this type of payment.

WSCJTC

Attn: PS/PI/BBRA

PO Box 40905

Olympia, WA 98504-0905

      1. The WSCJTC accepts checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or ACH/Wire Transfers. We do not accept credit or debit cards.
      2. There must be a note attached to the fee identifying whose application the fee is for.

 

  1. ACH/Wire Transfer: If you would like to use ACH/ Wire Transfer, click here for instructions. 
    1. Attach a copy of your wire transfer receipt to your application packet.

 

 

     

 

Termination, Resignation and Transfers

Terminations/Resignations:

  • If you have an employee who is no longer working armed, has resigned, or has been terminated, please complete this form to report information to us.

Agency Transfers:

  • To be eligible for an agency transfer, the applicant’s current firearms certificate must have at least 6 months remaining and the break in service must be less than 30 days.
  • Agencies/Companies may contact WSCJTC staff to verify certificate status by emailing pspi@cjtc.wa.gov. 

Contacts

For additional information on the Firearms Certificate Program, please contact:

Tisha Tyler, Program Manager
(206) 779-5381

Instructor Materials

 The following forms are to be used by instructors for Firearms Certificate Training.

If you have a complaint about an Firearms Certificate Instructor, please use this form:

Question Answer

I have a Firearms Certificate already and want to add a weapon to my record. How do I do this?

Complete and submit the “Packet – Add-Remove Firearms.” 
• We add the firearm to the existing certificate, adding a firearm will not renew the certificate.

Private Security/Investigator - can I participate in the 8-hour Firearms Certificate Training Class if I don’t have an active unarmed Private Security or Investigator license issued by the WA DOL?

No, you must have an active unarmed license issued by the WA DOL. See RCW 18-170-050 or RCW 18-165-040. 

 

My company name, address, or contact details have changed; how do I notify the WSCJTC of the change?

  • Business name: If changing the name of your company, submit Form 721C also attach a list of employees and business license showing the name of your business.
  • Address or contact information: Submit Form 721C

Do I send my fingerprint information to the WSCJTC?

No. Do not send any fingerprint information to the WSCJTC. Fingerprinting is processed by the Department of Licensing (DOL), please visit this website for more information.

Can a Firearms Certificate be used by more than one company?

No. If you work for more than one company, you will need a Firearms Certificates issued for each company in each license type. Firearms Certificates cannot be shared between companies or types because firearms used while working are owned or leased by the company you work for per RCW. (To read more about this requirement please click on the RCW links: RCW 18.170.050 2 and RCW 18.165.060 2).

Bail Bond Recovery Agent - can I participate in the 8-hour Firearms Certificate Training Class if I don’t have an active unarmed Bail Bond license issued by the WA DOL or concealed pistol license/permit?

No, you must, at a minimum, have a concealed pistol license/permit. See RCW 18-185-250. 

Do I need to submit a separate application and $100 fee for a firearms certificate for my PS, PI, and BBRA (or any combination) companies?

Yes. Firearms Certificates are issued for each company in each license type. Firearms Certificates cannot be shared between companies or types because firearms used while working are owned or leased by the company you work for per RCW. (To read more about this requirement please click on the RCW links: RCW 18.170.050 2 and RCW 18.165.060 2).

Is there a fee for agency transfers, add/remove firearms, or renewals?

Not currently.

I hired an employee who has a Firearms Certificate with another company do I have to pay the full application packet fee of $100?

Yes. Firearms Certificates are issued for each company. Firearms Certificates cannot be shared between companies, because firearms used while working are owned or leased by the company you work for per RCW. (To read more about this requirement please click on the RCW links: RCW 18.170.050 2 and RCW 18.165.060 2).

What am I supposed to do to renew my (or my employees) Firearms Certificate each year?

Once you obtain your initial Armed Certificate you do not need to send us any notification unless you need to add or change a firearm to an existing Firearms Certificate record. To renew, you need to contact a PS Certified Firearms Instructor and set up a date and time to have your employee take the 4-hour renewal course. Once your employee completes it, the instructor sends us a roster of who attended. Your agency keeps the paperwork and test scores, do not send anything to the WSCJTC for renewals. Unless requested through pspi@cjtc.wa.gov, we will not email a renewed certificate.

  • Fully commissioned peace officers must be reported on a Form 727 annually to maintain their firearms certificate.

I am the main training contact for my company, is there a way for me to view our employee’s records?

Yes. Send an email to pspi@cjtc.wa.gov and we will assist you in setting up your account in Acadis®.

What am I supposed to do to renew my (or my employees) armed license each year?

You will need to contact the DOL directly for information about renewing your armed license.
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