Go to Page Section:
- 1. Start Your Own Business
- 2. Job Security
- 3. Repairing & Troubleshooting
- 4. Special Expertise
- 5. Flexibility
- Types of Gunsmith Certification Available
- What Do You Learn When Earning a Gunsmith Certificate?
- How Long Does It Take to Earn a Gunsmith Certificate?
- What Can You Do With a Gunsmith Certificate?
- What Are the Licensing Costs for Acquiring a Gunsmith Certificate?
- Key Takeaways
Are you on the fence about whether obtaining a gunsmith certificate is worth it?
A career as a gunsmith can be extremely rewarding if you are passionate about firearms, repairing them, and maintaining them.
Earning a certificate would be your next step, but how would you go about it?
Continue reading about whether it would be a good fit for you, types of gunsmith certificates available, licensing costs, and more.
What are the benefits of having a gunsmith certificate?
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of having a gunsmith certificate:
1. Start Your Own Business
Having a certificate as a gunsmith means that you can start your own business, if you wish to.
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Request InformationSponsoredTo do this, you would need to have a Federal Firearms License, and you can open your very own gunsmithing shop.
2. Job Security
Luckily, gunsmiths are in demand.
There are various opportunities available in sporting goods stores, gun stores, and law enforcement.
This means that having a gunsmith certificate allows you to always have job security.
3. Repairing & Troubleshooting
Another benefit of having a gunsmith certificate is being able to troubleshoot and repair firearms.
But to do this, you must have the necessary gunsmithing skills so that you can make sure firearms are functional and safe.
4. Special Expertise
Having a gunsmith certificate can also allow you to focus on certain areas, thus giving you specialized expertise.
That means you can take on customizing guns, restoring them, or working with certain types of firearms.
5. Flexibility
Earning a gunsmith certificate also allows you to have a flexible career.
You have the option to work in various settings.
If you want to work in a large factory, you have that option. Or if you choose to start your own business, you can also do that.
Types of Gunsmith Certification Available
There are various gunsmith certifications available, and they can range from standard courses in rifle customizing to other types of programs that cover a broader range of firearm skills.
Here are several types of certifications available for gunsmiths:
Federal Firearms License (FFL)
The most common and popular gunsmith certification is the FFL license.
Even though this is not a traditional certificate, it is necessary to obtain your FFL whether you plan on operating your own business or selling firearms.
Certain Platform Certifications
There are various courses that specialize in certain types of firearms, including AR-15/M4 rifles, 1911 pistols, and more.
Master Gunsmith Courses
These are considered more comprehensive programs, but are necessary because they are a combination of basic and advanced courses.
They also educate you on topics such as welding and more.
Journeyman Gunsmith
A journeyman gunsmith is also recognized in the gunsmithing world.
This can be acquired through experience and apprenticeship.
What Do You Learn When Earning a Gunsmith Certificate?
There are many skills you will learn during the time you are enrolled in a gunsmith program.
Here are a few examples of the core areas involved in a gunsmith program:
- Firearm repair and maintenance
- Machining and metalworking
- Assembly and disassembly
- Gun safety
- Firearm fundamentals
- Finishing and welding
Besides just technical skills, many gunsmith programs may also teach students the following:
- Firearm appraisals- You will learn how to determine the value of firearms
- Customer relations and business- You will develop an understanding of the business side of being a gunsmith, such as communicating with customers and maintaining your retail shop.
- Specific Training- You will also learn specialized knowledge in areas such as AR-15s, 1911 pistols, and other types of firearms.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Gunsmith Certificate?
The length of time it takes to become a certified gunsmith varies depending on different factors.
The training program that you choose to enroll in plays a big role in determining how long it will take for you to become a certified gunsmith.
However, many gunsmith programs can take anywhere from three months to two years to complete.
Various factors come into play when determining the duration of the program, such as curriculum depth, whether you are enrolled as a part-time or full-time student, and the number of required hands-on training hours.
What Can You Do With a Gunsmith Certificate?
Here is a list of career paths you may choose to take should you receive a gunsmith certificate:
1. Firearm Manufacturer
With a gunsmith certificate, you can work as a gunsmith at a firearm manufacturer in various areas such as repair, quality control, or development.
2. Business Owner
You can also choose to go the independent path and become a business owner, where you will run and operate your very own gunsmith business.
You can sell firearms, offer customization, and even offer firearm repairs.
3. Law Enforcement
You also have the option of working as a gunsmith for law enforcement, customizing and maintaining firearms that are utilized by various agencies in the field.
4. Retail Store
Working in a retail store as a gunsmith is another option.
You have the option of working at a gun retail shop or a sporting goods shop where you will repair and maintain firearms for customers.
Besides the career paths listed above, you also have the option to work in specialized areas as a gunsmith, such as stockmaking, firearm engraving, pistol smithing, and much more.
What Are the Licensing Costs for Acquiring a Gunsmith Certificate?
The most common type of gunsmith certificate is an FFL license.
The cost of this license can range anywhere from $30 to $3,000, depending on the license type you apply for.
The Federal Firearms License is issued by the ATF.
The most common FFL license that people apply for is a type 01 FFL (gunsmith/dealer of firearms), which costs $150 and is valid for three years.
Overall, there are nine different types of FFL licenses.
You will also have to submit a background check and provide fingerprints along with an application fee.
The application and renewal fees are both $30.
Key Takeaways
Obtaining a professional gunsmith certificate may be worth your time if you can commit to learning the skills and acquiring a certificate to be successful at your job.
Earning a gunsmith certificate comes with many benefits, such as job security and the ability to start your own business.
There are various gunsmith certifications available, with the most popular being the FFL license.
Once enrolled in a program, you will learn everything from gun safety and firearm repair and maintenance to welding and finishing.
It can take anywhere from three months to two years to complete a gunsmith program, depending on various factors.
You have various career paths working as a gunsmith.
You can become a business owner, work for law enforcement, or even work in a retail store.
Licensing costs for a gunsmith can range anywhere from $30 to $3,000, depending on the type of license you apply for.
The most common type of license is type 01 FFL, which costs $150.
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