Specialist certificate in arms trading

Teaser

As part of the authorisation procedure for the commercial arms trade, you must provide evidence of the relevant specialist knowledge. To do this, you take a specialised knowledge test at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

  • Service description

    The examination is usually carried out by order of the authority to which you have applied for the firearms licence and cannot be applied for separately.

    Depending on the scope of the trading licence you have applied for, the check will cover certain categories of weapons.

    In the theoretical part of the examination, you must demonstrate knowledge of the regulations governing the trade in firearms and ammunition, the acquisition and carrying of firearms and the main features of other firearms regulations.

    In the practical part of the test, you must demonstrate safe handling of the tested weapon categories. This includes disassembling and assembling, naming essential parts and describing how the weapon works.

    In order to successfully pass the specialised knowledge examination for the trade in weapons and ammunition, you need not only theoretical but also practical knowledge. Extensive preparation is therefore recommended.

    If you have applied for a licence to trade in ammunition, the handling of the common ammunition and its use in the associated firearm will be checked.

    As a master gunsmith registered in the Register of Craftsmen, you already have the expertise and do not have to prove this again by taking an examination at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

  • Procedure

    Normally, you apply for a licence to trade in weapons and are then registered for examination via the relevant licensing authority. You can or must register yourself with some chambers of industry and commerce.

    • As a rule, you will receive notification from the authority responsible for the trading licence that the examination is to take place.
    • Your registration will be confirmed by the IHK and you will receive an invitation to the examination date.
    • You take the examination on site at the IHK.
    • You will receive a certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce confirming that you have successfully passed the examination.

    With the proof of expertise, you can continue the authorisation procedure for the arms trade.

  • Prerequisites

    As a rule, the authority to which you have applied for the firearms trading licence must register or pre-register you for the examination.

  • Which documents are required?

    • If applicable, notification of the authority responsible for the trading licence that the examination is to take place
    • Official photo ID for identification during the examination

  • What fees are incurred?

    You can find out the fees from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) where you are taking the examination. They can be found in the fee schedule of the relevant state authority.

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    The certificate of competence is valid indefinitely and nationwide.

  • Processing time

    • Specialist examinations take place at irregular intervals, so the time between notification by the authorities and the examination may vary.
    • The certificate is normally available immediately or a few days after passing the oral part of the examination.
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  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    • Detailed information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification of failure of the examination.
    • Administrative court action

  • Applications / Forms

    • Forms: As a rule, you will receive all the necessary forms from the authority issuing the firearms trading licence, in some cases also directly from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
    • Online procedure possible: no
    • Written form requirement: no
    • Personal appearance required: yes

  • Short text

    • Expertise test for the commercial arms trade Implementation
    • Proof of the relevant expertise must be provided in order to obtain a licence for commercial arms trading.
    • Proof of expertise must be provided by passing an examination before a competent examination board at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
    • To carry out the examination, the authority responsible for the authorisation procedure generally transmits the applicant's data to the IHK.
    • The point of contact for applying for a licence and registering for the test is the relevant local regulatory authority of the district and independent city.

  • Typing

    2/3

  • Library entry status

    5

Who should I contact?

The point of contact for the application for a licence and registration for the examination is the relevant local regulatory authority of the district and independent cities. From there, the application for the examination of expertise is forwarded to the responsible IHK.

Responsible departments