Q: Do you need those certificate to get a archery bow or does those only apply to guns, knives, spray, etc.... For california
A: I cannot help but wonder when a permit became required to purchase a knife or a can of spray-paint -- even in California. No, a permit is not required to buy a bow, or even to use one (unless you intend to use it for hunting, but a permit is required for hunting, anyway). Even in California. Local (town, county, etc) rules/regulations/laws concerning archery may be a different critter, though.