California CCW Initial 16-Hour Course

This 16-hour course is designed to meet the training requirements for a California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit under Senate Bill (SB) 2. The curriculum focuses on firearm safety, legal responsibilities, and practical shooting skills, preparing students to confidently and lawfully carry a concealed firearm for self-defense.

Here is a current list of all issuing authorities we are authorized to provide training. This list is regularly updated and should always be considered to be accurate.

Course Content and Structure

Classroom Instruction (8 Hours)

The first half of the course is dedicated to a comprehensive review of state and federal laws governing the use of force, firearms, and concealed carry. Key topics include:

SB 2 Mandates: An in-depth discussion of the new requirements for CCW applicants, including character assessments, firearm training, and prohibited areas.
Legal Use of Force: Analysis of California Penal Code sections related to self-defense and the use of deadly force. We’ll cover concepts such as imminent threat, proportionality, and the legal ramifications of a defensive shooting.
Firearm Safety Rules: A thorough review of the fundamental rules of gun safety, including the proper handling, storage, and transportation of firearms.
Prohibited Places: A detailed breakdown of “sensitive places” where carrying a concealed firearm is prohibited, as defined by SB 2.
Concealment and Holsters: Best practices for safely and effectively concealing a firearm and a review of different types of holsters and carry methods.

Live-Fire Range Training (8 Hours)

The second half of the course is conducted at a live-fire range, where students will apply the safety and handling skills learned in the classroom. This hands-on portion includes:

Shooting Fundamentals: Instruction on grip, stance, sight alignment, and trigger control to improve accuracy and consistency.
Marksmanship Qualification: Students will complete a department-approved shooting qualification course of fire. The course will be a minimum of 25 rounds per firearm on the permit, shot from various distances and positions. This meets or exceeds the qualification standards of most California issuing agencies.
Malfunction Drills: Practical exercises to clear common firearm malfunctions like stovepipes and double feeds.
Practical Application: Scenarios and drills simulating real-world self-defense situations to build situational awareness and decision-making skills under stress.

Prerequisites and Requirements

Students must be legally eligible to own a firearm and be able to present a valid form of identification.
Students must bring the firearm(s) they intend to list on their CCW permit.
Eye and ear protection are mandatory for all range activities.

This course is taught by Certified Instructors with credentials from the Department of Justice, NRA, BSIS, USCCA and/or California Peace Officer Standards of Training (POST). Our instructors are experienced in California’s CCW laws and regulations. Upon successful completion of both the classroom and range portions, students will receive a certificate of completion that is valid for their CCW application.