Training Requirements for Massachusetts Concealed Carry

Overview

Massachusetts requires all first-time applicants for a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification Card (FID) to obtain a Basic Firearms Safety Certificate before their application can be accepted or processed by the licensing authority.

Primary Statute: MGL c. 140, § 131P (as amended by Acts of 2024, Chapter 135 - "An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws")

Regulations: 515 CMR 3.00 - Firearms Course and Instructor Certifications and Firearms Surrender Programs

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Basic Firearms Safety Course Requirements

Who Must Complete the Course

• All first-time applicants for an LTC (License to Carry) or FID (Firearm Identification Card) must submit a Basic Firearms Safety Certificate with their application
• Applicants must be at least 15 years old to take the safety course
• The course is typically a one-day course

Course Curriculum

Under MGL c. 140, § 131P(b)(ii), the certified course curriculum must include:

1. Safe use, handling, and storage of firearms
2. Methods for securing and childproofing firearms
3. Applicable laws relating to possession, transportation, and storage of firearms
4. Knowledge of operation, potential dangers, and basic competency in ownership and use of firearms
5. Injury and suicide prevention and harm reduction education
6. Applicable laws relating to the use of force
7. Disengagement tactics
8. Live firearms training (new requirement under 2024 law)

Completion Requirements

To receive a Basic Firearms Safety Certificate, an applicant must demonstrate:

• Class participation meeting minimum requirements
• Satisfactory completion of the written examination prescribed by the Colonel of State Police
• Live firearms training competency

No certificate may be issued to any person who fails to meet any of these minimum requirements.

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Live Fire Training Requirement

2024 Law Change (Chapter 135)

The Acts of 2024, Chapter 135, added a mandatory live firearms training component to the Basic Firearms Safety Course.

• Effective date for new applicants: As of April 2, 2026, a live fire safety certificate is required when applying for a new LTC or FID (per Woburn Police Department guidance)
• The Longmeadow Police Department strongly recommends that applicants seeking an unrestricted LTC complete a Basic Safety Course with a live-fire component or an advanced firearms safety course

Grandfathering / Exemptions from Live Fire

• Persons holding an LTC or FID before August 1, 2024 are exempt from the live fire requirement upon renewal (MGL c. 140, § 131P(a))
• Persons who received an LTC or FID after August 1, 2024 will need a live fire safety certification when applying for renewal
• Under a cost-study provision of Chapter 135 of 2024, the Secretary of Public Safety and Security was directed to study and report on implementation of live fire training to ensure it does not become cost prohibitive and that resources and facilities are reasonably available in all regions of the state

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Exemptions from Training Requirement

The following individuals are exempt from the safety course requirement (MGL c. 140, § 131P(a)):

1. Any officer, agent, or employee of the Commonwealth or any state of the United States
2. Any member of the military or other service of any state or of the United States
3. Any duly authorized law enforcement officer, agent, or employee of any municipality of the Commonwealth

Provided that such person is authorized by a competent authority to carry or possess the firearm and is acting within the scope of their duties.

Active military personnel are not required to complete a safety course; however, they should review local laws including safe storage requirements.

Hunter Education Substitute

A certificate issued under MGL c. 131, § 14 evidencing satisfactory completion of a Basic Hunter Education Course is a valid substitute for the Basic Firearms Safety Certificate when applying for a Firearm Identification Card (FID) under section 129B. Hunter Education courses are administered by the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.

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Instructor Certification

Who Can Be Certified

• Any person certified by a nationally recognized organization that fosters safety in firearms
• Any other person deemed competent by the Colonel of State Police at their discretion
• Applicants for instructor certification are not exempt from any requirements of Massachusetts law

Certification Details

• Certification is valid for 10 years unless sooner revoked for unsuitability
• Initial certification fee: $50
• Renewal fee: $10
• The Colonel of State Police maintains and annually updates a list of approved instructors posted on the Department of State Police website

Instructor Obligations

• Must forward copies of issued certificates to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS), including certification of each person's satisfactory completion
• Instructors who knowingly issue a certificate to a person who has not completed the course face a fine of $5,000-$10,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years, or both

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Harm Reduction Education Component

Under MGL c. 140, § 131P(g), the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, developed educational materials that must be discussed and distributed during every firearms safety course, covering:

1. Prevalence of suicide by firearm compared to other forms of firearms violence
2. Risks of injury and suicide associated with household firearms
3. Best practices for identifying and reducing risk of suicide involving household firearms
4. Available resources for safe practices and suicide prevention

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Fees and Practical Information

Course Costs (Vary by Municipality)

Fees are generally non-refundable.

License Application Fees

• LTC or FID application: $100 (confirmed for Woburn; fees may vary by municipality)
• FID Restricted (under 18, mace/pepper spray only): $25

License Duration

• Both LTC and FID cards are valid for six (6) years

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Penalties for Fraud

• Applicant filing a false safety certificate: Fine of $1,000-$5,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years in a house of correction, or both (MGL c. 140, § 131P(d))
• Instructor knowingly issuing a false certificate: Fine of $5,000-$10,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years in a house of correction, or both (MGL c. 140, § 131P(e))

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Age Requirements

• FID Card: Must be 18 years or older (or 14-17 with parental consent; card not issued until age 15)
• LTC: Must be 21 years or older
• Safety course eligibility: Minimum age 15 years old

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Key Statutory References

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Recent Changes

• July 25, 2024: Governor signed Chapter 135, "An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws," significantly updating training requirements
• August 1, 2024: Key effective date - persons holding licenses before this date are grandfathered from live fire requirement on renewal
• April 2, 2026: Live fire safety certificate required for all new LTC and FID applications (per municipal implementation guidance)
• Section 159 of Chapter 135: Sections 38 (dealer training) and 75 (§ 131P training requirements) take effect 18 months after the effective date of the act
• The Colonel of State Police is required to create a standardized written examination for use in all firearms safety courses statewide