Alaska Concealed Carry Training Requirements

Training Requirements for Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit

Alaska is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state, meaning individuals who are legally eligible to possess a firearm may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. However, Alaska also issues the Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit (ACHP) for those who want one — for example, to take advantage of reciprocity agreements with other states or for NICS-exempt status. The training requirements below apply only to obtaining the optional ACHP, not to permitless carry.

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Handgun Competency Course Requirement

• Applicants for a new ACHP must successfully complete a handgun competency course that is approved by the Alaska Department of Public Safety within the 12 months immediately preceding the application, per AS 18.65.715 and 13 AAC 30.090(a).

• Proof of training is established by providing the department, at the time of application, a copy of a certificate of successful completion of an approved handgun course. The certificate must contain the information required by 13 AAC 30.070(a)(2)(A) and must show that the course was completed within the 12 months immediately before submitting the application, per 13 AAC 30.090(a).

Approved Courses — Key Restrictions

• A list of approved courses is available from the Permits and Licensing Unit upon request.
• There are no online or correspondence courses approved for the ACHP.
• Programs outside of Alaska are not approved for the ACHP.
• Only courses that have received a certificate of approval from the department under 13 AAC 30.070 qualify.

Course Approval Standards (13 AAC 30.070)

To receive a certificate of approval from the department, a handgun course must meet specific standards. The regulations at 13 AAC 30.070(a) require that approved courses cover certain topics (referenced as the topics set out in 13 AAC 30.070(a)(1)(A)), and that the course includes testing in the subject matter of the curriculum — as stated in 13 AAC 30.070(g): "'instruction' or 'instructs' includes testing in the subject matter of the curriculum."

The application for a certificate of approval for a handgun course must be signed by a person designated as the chief operating officer of the course, per 13 AAC 30.070(e).

Instructor Requirements

Instructors for approved handgun courses must meet department standards, including:

• Submitting an instructor information form provided by the department, per 13 AAC 30.070(a) and (b).
• The form must state the instructor's Alaska driver's license number or identification card number, per 13 AAC 30.070(b)(2).
• The form must have attached a copy of a certificate of training showing that:
  • The instructor has successfully completed a handgun instructor's training course recognized by the department under 13 AAC 30.070(d) as providing adequate handgun instructor training, per 13 AAC 30.070(b)(3)(A).
  • The instructor has provided a signed statement that the instructor remains current with the standards of that handgun instructor's training course, per 13 AAC 30.070(b)(3)(B).
• The instructor information form includes a statement that the person signing it understands that an investigation may be conducted regarding the information given, including a search of computer records, and authorizes the investigation, per 13 AAC 30.070(c).

Handgun Instructor Training Course Recognition (13 AAC 30.070(d))

The department will recognize a handgun instructor's training course as providing adequate instruction if the course provides students with instruction in:

1. How to instruct in the topics set out in 13 AAC 30.070(a)(1)(A)
2. Preparing a curriculum and course outline for a handgun training course
3. Organizing and conducting a handgun training course
4. Use of visual aids and techniques in student skill development
5. Proper testing techniques

Revocation of Course Approval (13 AAC 30.080)

The department will immediately revoke a handgun course certificate of approval if:

• The department has reason to believe the course no longer meets the requirements of 13 AAC 30.070(a), per 13 AAC 30.080(a)(1).
• The certificate holder submitted an application or document containing a false statement or material misstatement or omission, per 13 AAC 30.080(a)(2).

If the department obtains disqualifying information about a specific instructor, the department will notify the chief operating officer that the instructor may not continue providing instruction. Any course of instruction being provided by that instructor at the time of notice will not satisfy the requirements of AS 18.65.700–18.65.790 and 13 AAC 30.010–13 AAC 30.900, per 13 AAC 30.080(b).

Appeal process: The holder of a revoked certificate may appeal to the commissioner in writing within 30 days after the date of the notice of revocation. The commissioner's decision must be made within 45 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, per 13 AAC 30.080(c).

Reinstatement: A revoked certificate may be reinstated if the reason for revocation has been rectified and a new application meeting requirements is resubmitted. However, a certificate revoked for false statements may not be reinstated sooner than one year following the date of the notice of revocation, per 13 AAC 30.080(e).

Honorably Retired Peace Officers — Alternative Training Path

An honorably retired peace officer of Alaska may satisfy the handgun qualification requirements through an alternative path under AS 18.65.700(e) and 13 AAC 30.085:

• The applicant must provide evidence of employment as a peace officer with a law enforcement agency in Alaska for two or more years before terminating employment, and within one year before application, per 13 AAC 30.085(1)(A).
• The applicant must show they did not terminate employment in lieu of firing, suspension, or other involuntary separation or employee discipline, per 13 AAC 30.085(1)(B).
• To satisfy the handgun qualification requirement, the retired peace officer must demonstrate they qualified with a handgun within five years of termination of employment, per 13 AAC 30.090(d).
• The applicant must submit a notarized copy of the handgun qualification record and a copy of the law enforcement agency's handgun qualification policy, per 13 AAC 30.090(d).
• The qualification record must indicate the applicant's score met or exceeded the minimum passing standard under the agency's handgun qualification policy.

False Statements Penalty

A false statement made in an application, on a form, or in other information provided to the department for purposes of the concealed handgun permit program is punishable under AS 11.56.210 (unsworn falsification), per 13 AAC 30.070(e).

Ongoing Instructor Reporting Obligation

A person or organization that has been issued a certificate of approval must notify the department's Permits and Licensing Unit in writing if they are no longer providing instruction on an annual basis, per 13 AAC 30.070(f).

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Key Statutes and Regulations