Florida CCW Permit Training Requirements

The Brave Response Appendix Holster

The state of Florida requires firearm training in order for its residents to be given a concealed weapons permit. In this article I will shed some light on what the training requirements are, and how to locate qualified instructors.

These requirements are meant to provide an introductory course to familiarize citizens with firearms who want to carry concealed. This introductory course, while meeting the letter of the law, should in no way be considered adequate training.

Concealed carry is a heavy responsibility and carries with it great risk to the public if done incompetently. If you want to carry a firearm for the use of lethal force, you must seek out additional training so you can properly address a threat to the lives of you and your family. Without good training, odds of successful self-defense decrease while odds of severely injuring or killing an innocent are dramatically increased.

“Wow, great sales pitch,” you might be thinking. “But that’s all it is. You just want to sell CCW classes.”

And you’re not wrong. Yes, it’s my job to write these articles, but I also believe resolutely that training saves lives. Armed citizens who use deadly force to protect themselves, or other innocents, are accepting responsibility for every bullet exiting their barrel, and the duty to employ that deadly force with precision and skill is no small thing and should not be taken gently.

Of course, you don’t have to take a class from us, there are plenty of other qualified instructors out there who will do a great job teaching the fundamentals of concealed carry. But, read here for CCW classes in your area, and visit Concealedcarry.com for everything you need for concealed carry including instructional videos, laws, and gear and firearm reviews.

Training Requirements

In order to be given your concealed weapons permit, you must present the state of Florida with proof you have undergone firearms training on how to safely (and competently) manipulate a handgun and pass a shooting proficiency test.

There are a number of ways to meet the training requirements. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) site, Florida residents must submit one of the following in order to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun:

1. “Any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or a similar agency in another state;
2. Any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course;
3. Any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school, using instructors certified by the National Rifle Association, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;
4. Any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement;
5. Any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a state-certified instructor or by an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association.”

Active Duty Military

Get Some

Florida is continuing to serve the military in many ways including expediting the concealed weapons applications submitted by either active duty military or veterans.

Active duty military are allowed by the state of Florida to obtain a concealed weapons permit if they provide copies of their orders “including call to active-duty letter,”  or a statement from their CO, or, “signed by, or at the direction of, the adjutant or personnel officer,” confirming active duty status.

Active duty military are encouraged to submit a copy of their CAC or similar military photo ID and don’t forget to copy both front and back of the ID.

Veteran Training Requirements

There aren’t any. Just provide a copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge and you’re cleared hot.

Competition Shooters

One interesting thing to note is, Florida residents are allowed to use any documentation they may have showing evidence of firearm experience gained through competitive shooting. I’d imagine a statement from the Range Safety Officer (RSO) confirming your presence at a few matches wouldn’t be difficult to obtain if you asked politely.

Now for the disclaimer: I am not currently, nor do I intend to become a lawyer. Seek out your own expert opinion in the law. If you have information that can clarify or reform the article, please feel free to leave a comment below so it can be addressed.

Visit Concealedccarry.com for everything you need relating to CCW.