Iowa Training Requirements for Permit to Carry Weapons

Training is not required for permitless carry under Iowa Code Section 724.4C. Training is required for the Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons under Iowa Code Section 724.9, and for the Professional Permit under Iowa Code Section 724.6.

Statutory Authority

• Iowa Code Section 724.9 - Training requirement for the Nonprofessional PCW
• Iowa Code Section 724.6 - Training requirement for the Professional PPCW

Approved Training for the Nonprofessional PCW

Under Iowa Code Section 724.9(1), an applicant must, within the 12 months immediately preceding the application, satisfy any one of the following:

1. NRA Course - Completed a handgun safety training course taught by an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association or any other handgun safety training course authorized by the Iowa Department of Public Safety
2. State-Recognized Course - Completed any handgun safety training course available to the public offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, college, private or public institution or organization, or firearms training school, taught by an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association or the Iowa Department of Public Safety or any other state's department of public safety, state regulatory agency, or similar agency
3. Hunter Education with Handgun Component - Completed any handgun training class conducted by an instructor certified under Iowa Code Section 483A.27 (hunter education) or by a similar agency of another state. Note: pure hunter-education courses without a live-fire handgun component may not satisfy the requirement
4. Law Enforcement Training - Completed small arms training while serving with the armed forces of the United States, as evidenced by the person's DD-214 or other appropriate document
5. Active or Retired Peace Officer - Currently serving as a peace officer or formerly served as a peace officer who is currently in good standing as a retiree

Course Content Expectations

Although Iowa Code Section 724.9 does not prescribe a fixed curriculum, an acceptable handgun safety training course generally covers:

• Safe handling, loading, and unloading of a handgun
• Safe storage of handguns and ammunition
• Iowa law on use of force (Iowa Code Sections 704.1 to 704.13)
• Iowa law on prohibited places
• The four universal firearm safety rules
• Practical handling on the range, where the course includes live-fire

Online-only courses may satisfy the requirement depending on whether they are recognized by the issuing sheriff and the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Sheriffs vary in their willingness to accept purely online certificates; many require at least some in-person live-fire component.

Training Documentation

The applicant must submit, with the PCW application, a copy of the certificate or other documentation evidencing successful completion of the qualifying course. The certificate must show the instructor's name, certification credential, date of completion, and a description of the course.

Renewal Training

Iowa Code Section 724.9 does not require completion of a separate training course at every renewal. However, the renewal applicant must continue to be eligible under Iowa Code Section 724.8 and may be required by the sheriff to demonstrate continuing eligibility. Practical refresher training is strongly recommended for every renewal.

Professional Permit Training

Under Iowa Code Section 724.6, applicants for the Professional Permit must complete firearms training appropriate to the profession. This typically means a course tailored to law enforcement, security, or similar duties. The training requirement is generally more extensive than for the Nonprofessional PCW and is reviewed by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

No Training Required for Permitless Carry

A person carrying under Iowa Code Section 724.4C (permitless carry) is not required to complete any training course. The use-of-force and prohibited-place statutes still apply.

Finding an Approved Instructor

The Iowa Department of Public Safety does not maintain a comprehensive public list of certified instructors. Applicants typically find instructors through:

• Local gun ranges and shooting clubs
• The NRA Instructor Referral Service
• County sheriff's office referrals
• Iowa hunter-education program (for hunter-education-based qualifying courses)

Common Training Pitfalls

• Online-only training that the local sheriff will not accept
• Courses completed more than 12 months before the application date
• Lack of a dated certificate from a recognized instructor
• Confusing hunter-education completion with the handgun training requirement; the handgun component must be part of the qualifying course