What is a California Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and who needs one?

Under Penal Code 26710, DOJ examines its own records and the records available to it in the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System. If those records show the applicant is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms, DOJ issues the certificate.

The DOJ COE page explains that the certificate reflects the result at the time of the check. DOJ can revoke it at any time if the holder becomes prohibited.

Section 26710 describes a records check and nothing more. It does not describe a license to sell or carry firearms.

Several statutes require a COE as a condition of working in the firearms business.

• Firearms dealer employees. A dealer "shall require any agent or employee who handles, sells, or delivers firearms" to obtain a COE and give it to the dealer (Penal Code 26915).
• Ammunition vendor employees. A vendor must require the same of any agent or employee who handles, sells, delivers, or controls ammunition (Penal Code 30347).
• Others DOJ lists. The DOJ COE page names prospective licensed firearms dealers, licensed ammunition vendors, manufacturers, certified instructors, gun show promoters, and explosive permit holders.

In both employee statutes, DOJ must notify the employer if the worker later becomes prohibited.

Ammunition purchases. Penal Code 30370 lists three ways a buyer can be approved at an ammunition vendor. One is having "a current certificate of eligibility." The DOJ ammunition FAQ calls this the COE Verification Check and lists its fee as $5. The same page lists $5 for the Standard check, which requires a matching firearm record in DOJ's system, and $19 for the Basic check.

Federal collector license (03 FFL) holders. Some California exemptions apply only to a person who holds both a federal collector license and a current COE:

• Penal Code 27966 lets such a collector acquire a curio or relic long gun without going through a dealer, if the collector reports it to DOJ within 30 days. Handguns are excluded.
• Penal Code 30312(c)(6) exempts such a collector, with licensed premises in California, from the rule that ammunition sales and deliveries go through a vendor face to face.
• The DOJ FAQ lists certain curio and relic collectors with a valid COE among those exempt from the 10-day waiting period.

Each exemption has its own conditions written into its statute.

The DOJ COE page describes three steps for a first application, or for a COE that expired more than 90 days ago:

1. Fingerprints. Take DOJ's Request for Live Scan Service form to a Live Scan station and pay the fees there.
2. Tracking number. Keep the Applicant Tracking Identifier (ATI) number the operator writes on the form.
3. Online application. Create a free CFARS account, enter the ATI number, and submit.

An out-of-state resident who cannot use Live Scan mails two fingerprint cards and a $71 check to DOJ, then applies in CFARS.

DOJ's identification regulation also applies. If the applicant's California license or ID is marked "FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY," 11 CCR 4045.1 requires a document showing lawful presence, such as a U.S. passport, a certified U.S. birth certificate, or a Permanent Resident Card.

Renewal is done in CFARS and costs $22. DOJ accepts a renewal starting 60 days before the expiration date. No new fingerprints are needed if the renewal is filed in that window or within 90 days after expiration. DOJ suggests filing as soon as the window opens, because processing can take up to eight weeks.