PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Requalification

California Penal Code (PC) Section 832(e) requires individuals who previously completed a California PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course to "requalify" prior to exercising peace officer powers if they:

• Have not been employed as a California peace officer within three years of the course completion date, or
• Have a three-year or longer break in service as a California peace officer.

Exemptions from Requalification

An employer may grant a requalification exemption for an individual who establishes eligibility with the employer by:

• Returning to a law enforcement management position at the second level of supervision or higher, or
• Successfully requalifying for a POST Basic Course within the last three years, or
• Maintaining proficiency through teaching the PC 832 Course, or
• Continuous employment as a peace officer in another state or at the federal level during the break in service, or
• Previously meeting the PC 832 training requirement, being appointed as a peace officer under subdivision (c) of Penal Code Section 830.1, and being continuously employed as a custodial officer, as defined in PC 831 or 831.5, by the agency making the peace officer appointment since completing PC 832 training.

The employing agency shall retain, as a permanent record, all supporting documentation.

Two Options for Requalification

An individual may requalify their training by:

1. Repeating and successfully completing the PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course, or
2. Applying for and successfully completing the requalification testing process at specified test centers in California.

The proficiency standard is the same for both options. The required tests are:

• Comprehensive Test: Includes multiple-choice questions on laws of arrest and related topics.
• Arrest Methods Exercise Tests: Include searching, takedown techniques, control holds, and handcuffing.
• Firearms Exercise Test: Includes basic handgun shooting principles.

Course Presenters

Information on PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course presenters can be found in POST's Catalog of Certified Courses. PC 832 Course presenters that are also Requalification Test Centers are:

Requalification Application

To apply for the requalification testing process, the applicant must select a test center, and prepare and mail the items listed below to the test center.

• Testing Process Request: The applicant must submit a written request specifying which test(s) they are applying for and include their:
• Full name
• Mailing address
• Daytime phone number
• POST Profile to verify prior PC 832 training
• Proof of Prior PC 832 Course Completion: The applicant will provide the Testing Center with a POST Profile.  A POST Profile is a computer database record that provides the history of an individual's California law enforcement employment, POST professional certificates, and POST-certified training.  This FAQ section provides information on how to obtain your POST Profile.
• Criminal History Clearance: An applicant for the firearms course or exercise test who is not sponsored by a local or other law enforcement agency, or is not a peace officer employed by a state or local agency, department, or district, shall be required to submit a written criminal history clearance from the Department of Justice to the testing center prior to being admitted to the Firearms test. POST Bulletin 98-28 (pdf) provides further information about obtaining a clearance.
• Test Fee(s): Contact the PC 832 Requalification test centers for test fee requirements. (Fees may vary by presenter.)

Eligibility for the Testing Process

After prior PC 832 training has been verified, the test center will contact the applicant within 30 days to arrange a test date. The applicant must complete the test(s) within 90 days of the exam eligibility date.

Test Results

The test center will provide the test results to POST, postmarked within five working days of the test date.

Retest Options

If the individual fails a test, one retest is allowed within 90 days of the initial test. (Fees may be charged for retesting.) If the individual fails a retest, a POST-certified PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course must be successfully completed prior to exercising peace officer powers.