Kentucky Concealed Carry Training Requirements

Important Context: Permitless Carry

Kentucky is a permitless carry state (effective June 2019). Persons 21 years of age or older who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms may carry concealed without a permit. However, Kentucky still issues Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) licenses for those who wish to obtain one (e.g., for reciprocity with other states). The training requirements below apply to obtaining a CCDW license.

General Training Requirement

Pursuant to KRS 237.110(4)(i), applicants for a CCDW license must demonstrate competence with a firearm by successful completion of a firearms safety or training course that meets one of the following criteria:

Option 1: Course Conducted by a Nationally Certified Firearms Instructor

A firearms safety or training course conducted by a firearms instructor who is:

• Certified by a national organization that certifies firearms instructors
• Includes the use of written tests
• Includes in-person instruction
• Includes a component of live-fire training

Option 2: Course Offered or Approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT)

The DOCJT-approved firearms safety course shall:

1. Be not more than eight (8) hours in length (with at least six (6) hours of classroom instruction per 503 KAR 4:050)
2. Include instruction on:
   • Handguns
   • The safe use of handguns
   • The care and cleaning of handguns
   • Handgun marksmanship principles
3. Include actual range firing of a handgun in a safe manner, including:
   • Firing of not more than twenty (20) rounds at a full-size silhouette target
   • During which firing, not less than eleven (11) rounds must hit the silhouette portion of the target
4. Include information on and a copy of laws relating to:
   • Possession and carrying of firearms (KRS Chapters 237 and 527)
   • Laws relating to the use of force (KRS Chapter 503)

Additional Knowledge Requirement

Per KRS 237.110(4)(j), applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of the law regarding justifiable use of force by:

• Including with the application a copy of the concealed carry deadly weapons legal handout made available by the Department of Criminal Justice Training
• Including a signed statement indicating the applicant has read and understands the handout

Training Certificate Validity

A valid CCDW training certificate is good for life. Applicants never have to repeat the course unless they choose to, or unless they received incomplete or insufficient training. Duplicate certificates can be obtained from DOCJT by contacting [email protected] or calling 859-622-2299.

Certificate of Completion

Per KRS 237.110(5)(a), a legible photocopy or electronic copy of the certificate of completion issued by a firearms instructor certified by a national organization or the Department of Criminal Justice Training constitutes evidence of qualification.

After course completion, the instructor mails the applicant's application form and test answer sheet to DOCJT's CCDW office within five business days. DOCJT processes the application and sends the applicant a "Certificate of Completion of Training" within 15 business days if they passed the course.

Training Exemptions (KRS 237.110(6))

The following individuals are exempt from the training requirement:

1. Kentucky Peace Officers

• Peace officers currently certified by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council pursuant to KRS 15.380 to 15.404
• Retired peace officers who are members of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or other retirement system operated by or for a city, county, or urban-county in Kentucky

2. Federal Peace Officers (Current and Retired)

• Any peace officer employed by a federal agency specified in KRS 61.365
• Any peace officer employed by a federal civilian law enforcement agency who has successfully completed the basic law enforcement training course required by that agency
• Any military peace officer of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or reserve component thereof, or of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard who has successfully completed the military law enforcement training course
• Any member of the U.S. Coast Guard serving in a peace officer role who has successfully completed the law enforcement training course specified by the Coast Guard

3. Certain Corrections Officers

• Corrections officers currently employed by a county containing a consolidated local government or an urban-county government who have successfully completed a basic firearms training course required for their employment
• Retired corrections officers formerly employed by such counties who successfully completed the required firearms training and are members of a state-administered or local government retirement system

4. Active or Honorably Discharged Military Service Members

Active or honorably discharged service members in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or a reserve component thereof, or of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard who have:

• Successfully completed handgun training conducted by their branch of service; OR
• Successfully completed handgun qualification within their branch of service

Documentation for Military Exemption (KRS 237.110(5)(b))

Persons seeking the military training exemption may submit with their application at least one of the following forms showing evidence of handgun training or qualifications:

• Department of Defense Form DD 2586
• Department of Defense Form DD 214
• Coast Guard Form CG 3029
• Department of the Army Form DA 88-R
• Department of the Army Form DA 5704-R
• Department of the Navy Form OPNAV 3591-1
• Department of the Air Force Form AF 522

Alternatively, in lieu of the above forms, applicants may submit:

• Documentary evidence of an honorable discharge; AND
• A notarized affidavit on a form provided by the Department of Kentucky State Police, signed under penalty of perjury, stating the person has met the training requirements of KRS 237.110(6)(d)

No Out-of-State Training Transfer

There is no statutory authority for out-of-state training to satisfy Kentucky's CCDW training requirement. Currently, no waiver of the training requirement is authorized based upon prior completion of out-of-state training approved for obtaining a license in another jurisdiction. The only training waivers authorized by statute are those listed in KRS 237.110(6) as described above.

Instructor and Trainer Requirements

Firearms Instructor Trainers (KRS 237.120)

• Must meet all requirements to be a firearms instructor
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Must successfully complete a firearms instructor trainer course of not more than 16 hours provided by DOCJT
• Must possess at least one valid firearms instructor certification (e.g., NRA Personal Protection Instructor, NRA Pistol Marksmanship Instructor, or equivalent)
• Certification valid for 3 years; must conduct or assist in at least one course and attend in-service training during that period
• Instructor trainer course fee: not more than $100

Certified Firearms Instructors (KRS 237.122)

• Must hold a CCDW license issued pursuant to KRS 237.110
• Must successfully complete a firearms instructor training course of not more than 16 hours provided by a certified firearms instructor trainer
• Certification valid for 3 years; must conduct or assist in at least one applicant training course and attend in-service training
• Instructor course fee: not to exceed $150 (of which $50 is remitted to DOCJT)

Applicant Course Fees (KRS 237.122(8))

• No instructor trainer or certified instructor shall charge a fee in excess of $75 for an applicant training course
• May charge actual cost of range use, targets, associated range materials, and classroom rental not to exceed $10 total
• Instructor remits $25 to DOCJT for training materials and evidence of completion

Penalties for Training Violations

• Not providing firearms training (KRS 237.126): Representing to DOCJT that training was conducted when it was not — Class D felony
• Providing incomplete firearms training (KRS 237.128): Representing training was conducted but failing to provide required components — Class D felony
• Failure to report nonreceipt of firearms training (KRS 237.130): Receiving certification without actually receiving training and not reporting it — Class A misdemeanor
• Failure to report insufficient firearms training (KRS 237.132): Receiving certification without receiving complete training and not reporting it — Class A misdemeanor

Application Process After Training

• Present the Certificate of Completion to the local sheriff's office and fill out an application, OR apply online at the KSP licensing website
• Paper application fees: $40 to the Kentucky State Treasurer (license and background check) + $20 to the sheriff's department (plus photo charge)
• Online application fee: $70 total ($50 for KSP permit application + $20 sheriff's fee)
• Background check takes approximately 3 to 6 weeks
• CCDW license is valid for 5 years
• No additional training is required for renewal