Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL) Training Requirements

Overview

Illinois requires all concealed carry license applicants to successfully complete 16 hours of firearms training, including both classroom and range instruction. This requirement is established under the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66).

Required Training Curriculum

The 16-hour training course must, at minimum, cover the following topics:

Classroom Instruction

1. Firearms Safety - minimum of 1 hour
2. Basic Principles of Marksmanship - minimum of 1 hour
3. Care, Cleaning, Loading and Unloading of a Concealable Firearm - minimum of 1 hour
4. All Applicable State and Federal Laws Relating to the Ownership, Storage, Carry and Transportation of a Firearm - minimum of 2 hours
   • Includes but is not limited to the appropriate and lawful interaction with law enforcement while transporting or carrying a concealed firearm

Range Instruction

1. Weapons Handling - minimum of 1 range hour

Live-Fire Exercise Requirements

All applicants must pass a live-fire exercise with a concealable firearm consisting of:

• Minimum of 30 rounds total
  • 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards
  • 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards
  • 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards
• Fired at a B-27 silhouette target approved by the Illinois State Police (ISP)
• "Hit the Target" / "Scoring Area" means a round that has impacted within the black portion of the silhouette on a B-27 target. Any round that breaks the line between the black portion of the silhouette and the non-scoring area is considered a "hit."

Prior Training Credit (Up to 8 Hours)

Certain individuals may receive credit for up to 8 hours of the 16-hour training requirement:

Military Personnel & Veterans

• Active, retired, and honorably discharged members of the United States Armed Forces are considered to have completed 8 hours of the 16-hour training requirement.
• Required documentation:
  • Active military: Documentation identifying the holder as an active member (e.g., CAC or DD Form 2 ID cards in green, blue, or red)
  • Veterans: Copy of DD-214 or NGB 22

Prior Approved Training from Other States

• Applicants who have completed a training course approved by the ISP and recognized under the laws of another state may receive up to 8 hours of credit toward the 16-hour requirement.
• Two different four-hour classes from the ISP's list of approved curricula may be combined for up to 8 hours of prior training credit.

Hunter Safety Course Credit

• The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' hunter safety classes qualify as approved training, with instructors able to apply 4 hours of credit.

Remaining Requirements After Credit

Applicants receiving prior training credit must still complete the remaining hours, which must at least cover:

• Applicable State and Federal Laws relating to ownership, storage, carry, and transportation of a firearm
• Weapons Handling as defined in the statute and administrative rules
• The instructor must verify aggregate hours and provide additional training to equal 16 hours total
• Applicants must meet the minimums set out in the 16-hour curriculum

Instructor Requirements

All training must be conducted by an ISP-certified Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor. Instructor qualifications include:

• At least 21 years of age
• Legal resident of the United States and qualified for a CCL in Illinois
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Hold at least one valid firearms instructor certification from:
  • A law enforcement agency
  • A firearm instructor course offered by a state or federal governmental agency
  • A firearm instructor course offered by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board
  • An entity approved by the Illinois State Police that offers firearm instructor education and training

Important Training Rules

• Single class requirement: Outside of prior training credits, all hours must be completed during a single class. Applicants cannot split hours between different instructors/classes.
• Multiple instructors in one class: If multiple instructors teach during a single class, all instructors must sign the training certificate and provide their Instructor ID.
• Equipment: Applicants do not necessarily need to own their own firearm or equipment; requirements are set by the approved instructor.
• Training certificate: A completed training certificate must be submitted with the CCL application. Failure to include it will result in rejection (not denial), with 60 days to submit the missing documentation.

Penalties for False Training Certification

Pursuant to 430 ILCS 66/70(i), a certified firearms instructor who knowingly provides or offers to provide a false certification that an applicant has completed firearms training is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A person guilty of this violation is not eligible for court supervision, and the ISP shall permanently revoke the firearms instructor certification of a person convicted under this provision.

Statutory Exemptions

The Act provides certain exemptions from training requirements, which are set by statute and cannot be expanded upon by the ISP. Specific exemptions are defined within the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66).