Nebraska Concealed Carry Training Requirements

Training Requirements

Nebraska requires completion of an approved Handgun Training and Safety Course before applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP). The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) oversees instructor certification and course approval.

Permitless Carry vs. CHP Training

Nebraska enacted permitless (constitutional) carry legislation, allowing eligible individuals to carry concealed without a permit. However, training is still required to obtain a formal CHP, which provides benefits such as reciprocity with other states.

Course Requirements

• Instructor: The course must be taught by an instructor certified by the Nebraska State Patrol. Instructors began seeking certification in November 2006. (Neb. Rev. Stat. §69-2432)
• Duration: Courses typically last 8 to 16 hours. There is no statutorily required minimum length.
• Live Fire: A live fire exercise must be completed at a firing range.
• Online Courses: The Nebraska State Patrol does not recognize any online training course to satisfy the handgun training and safety requirement.
• No Purchase Permit Required: A firearm purchase permit is not required before taking the training course.

Required Curriculum Topics

Per Title 272, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 21, Section 024, the minimum course curriculum must cover:

1. Conflict Avoidance & Situational Awareness - Knowledge of ways to avoid a criminal attack and to defuse or control a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution and situational awareness (024.03A)
2. Handgun Operation & Safe Handling - Basic firearm safety rules, general handgun nomenclature, types of safeties and their uses, loading/unloading, and techniques for concealed carry (024.03B)
3. Ammunition Safety - Use of factory new vs. reloaded ammunition, inspection, identification of squib loads and misfires, and avoiding lead contamination (024.03C)
4. Storage Practices - Use of safes, locking devices, separate storage of handguns and ammunition, cleaning and maintenance, and practices to reduce accidental injury to children (024.03D)
5. Shooting Fundamentals - Stance, grip, sight alignment, trigger control, breathing, and follow-through (024.03E)
6. Applicable Laws - Federal, state, and local laws pertaining to purchase, ownership, transportation, and possession of handguns, including: (024.03F)
   • State statutes §28-1201 to §28-1212.02 (purchase, ownership, possession, transportation)
   • Prohibited carry locations (§28-1202.01)
   • Required documents to carry concealed (§28-1202.03)
   • Law enforcement contact procedures (§28-1202.04)
   • Federal law: Title 18 U.S.C. §§922, 926A, 929, 930; Title 27 U.S.C. §§478.29, 478.30, 478.32
7. Use of Force Laws - Self-defense, justifiable homicide, degrees of assault (§28-308 to §28-310), terroristic threats (§28-311.01), and use of force statutes (§28-1406 to §28-1416) (024.03G)
8. Suicide Prevention Training - Required as of September 2, 2023 per Neb. Rev. Stat. §69-2432

Proof of Training

Per Neb. Rev. Stat. §69-2429, "proof of training" means an original document or certified copy of a document certifying that the applicant:

• (a) Within the previous three (3) years, has successfully completed a Handgun Training and Safety Course approved by the Nebraska State Patrol pursuant to §69-2432; or
• (b) Is a member of the active or reserve armed forces or National Guard and has had handgun training within the previous three years that meets the minimum safety and training requirements of §69-2432.

Training Certificate Validity

• Training certificates are valid for three (3) years from the date of completion.
• The course must be completed within the three years prior to submitting the CHP application.

Permit Renewal & Retraining

• Permit holders who renew before expiration are not required to retake the training course.
• Permit holders who allow their permits to expire must retake the certified training course and pay the $100 fee for a new permit.
• Permits are valid for five (5) years and may be renewed four months prior to expiration.

Military Training Exception

Active or reserve armed forces members and National Guard members may satisfy the training requirement with military handgun training if:

• The training was completed within the previous three years
• The course meets the minimum safety and training requirements of Neb. Rev. Stat. §69-2432 and Title 272 NAC Chapter 21, Section 027
• The military course does not need to be certified by the Nebraska State Patrol, but it must meet all statutory content requirements
• The applicant must submit the curriculum and evidence of successful completion to the NSP for review

Note: The Nebraska State Patrol advises that very few, if any, military courses cover all of the required topics.

Instructor Certification Requirements

Per Title 272, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 21, instructors must:

• Apply in person for initial or renewal certification
• Submit a completed, signed, and notarized application
• Provide proof of identification (driver's license, state ID, or military ID)
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers)
• Submit a notarized Firearms Instructor Certification to teach handgun courses
• Hold a current Firearms Purchase Certificate (§69-2401 to §69-2409), a valid Nebraska CHP, or a current Federal Firearms License (ATF)
• Submit a proposed course curriculum
• Pay a $30.00 criminal history check fee
• Provide fingerprints and photograph at the time of application

Military pistol instructors may also be certified if they meet the same standards required for all instructors and provide a notarized copy of their Military Pistol Instructor certification.

Items Excluded from Training

Instructors are specifically directed to exclude:

• Legal advice or interpretation
• Reference to concealed weapons other than handguns (brass knuckles, knives, tasers/stun guns), except to clearly state that a Nebraska CHP does NOT authorize carrying such weapons concealed
• Use of the "CCW" acronym - the correct term is "CHP" (Concealed Handgun Permit)

Key Statutes & Regulations