North Dakota Concealed Carry Training Requirements

North Dakota CWL Training Requirements

Training requirements for North Dakota's Concealed Weapon License (CWL) are set by N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03 and administered by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) within the Attorney General's office. Permitless (constitutional) carry under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-01(2) does not require any training - this section addresses only the CWL.

There are two license classes with different training requirements:

Class 1 License (21+) - Full Training Track

Class 1 requires the most rigorous preparation and is recognized by more reciprocity states.

Components:

1. Classroom instruction - Covers North Dakota concealed weapon law, safe handling, transportation, storage, prohibited locations, use-of-force law, duty to inform, and related topics. The curriculum is based on the North Dakota Concealed Weapon License Manual published by the Attorney General.
2. Open-book written test - Based on the Concealed Weapon License Manual. Closed-content rules and passing thresholds are set by the test administrator under BCI authorization.
3. Firearm-familiarity demonstration - The applicant must demonstrate competent handling: loading, unloading, safe direction control, safe holstering/unholstering, and clearing a malfunction.
4. Live-fire proficiency test - The applicant must demonstrate the ability to safely operate and discharge a handgun on a range under instructor supervision. The exact course of fire is determined by the BCI-authorized test administrator.

Class 2 License (18+) - Open-Book Test Only

Class 2 omits classroom instruction, the firearm-familiarity demonstration, and the live-fire test. It requires only:

1. Open-book written test based on the North Dakota Concealed Weapon License Manual.

Class 2 was originally introduced to accommodate younger applicants and applicants who prefer not to undergo live-fire qualification. It is honored by fewer reciprocity states than Class 1.

Test Must Be in North Dakota

Under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03, all training and testing must be completed within the state of North Dakota and must be conducted by a BCI-authorized concealed weapon test administrator. Specifically:

• Out-of-state training courses cannot be substituted, even if the curriculum is equivalent.
• Training and testing cannot be combined with training or testing for any other state's permit.
• Test administrators must be currently authorized by BCI.

The single statutory exception to testing is for active licensed North Dakota law enforcement officers, who are exempt from the testing requirement. There are no other exceptions - including no carve-outs for military service, hunter education, NRA basic pistol completion, or out-of-state instructor credentials.

LEOSA Training (Retired Law Enforcement)

Under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), 18 U.S.C. 926C, qualified retired law enforcement officers may carry concealed nationwide without a state permit if they meet the federal requirements. North Dakota allows BCI-authorized concealed weapon test administrators to conduct LEOSA annual qualifications (under HB 1589). Qualified retired officers must:

• Demonstrate that within the most recent 12 months, at the officer's expense, they have met either:
  • North Dakota's standards for active law enforcement firearms qualification, or
  • The standards established by the law enforcement agency from which the officer separated.
• Possess photographic identification issued by the agency from which they separated.
• Carry the qualification documentation issued by the agency or the authorized instructor.

LEOSA carry is in addition to, not a substitute for, the state CWL track. A retired officer may obtain a ND CWL for additional benefits (e.g., NICS alternative status).

Test Administrator Standards

BCI authorizes individual concealed weapon test administrators. To be authorized, an instructor must satisfy BCI's criteria for instructor qualifications, including:

• Demonstrated firearms instructional experience.
• Documented familiarity with North Dakota concealed weapon law.
• Compliance with BCI administrative requirements (records retention, examination integrity, range safety).

Authorized administrators are listed on the Attorney General's website or available by request from the BCI Concealed Weapon Licensing Unit at (701) 328-5523.

The Concealed Weapon License Manual

The North Dakota Concealed Weapon License Manual is the foundational study guide for both Class 1 and Class 2 applicants. It is published and maintained by the Office of the Attorney General and is updated periodically. The manual covers:

• Statutory authority and definitions.
• License classes and eligibility.
• Application and renewal procedures.
• Prohibited locations.
• Use-of-force law overview.
• Duty to inform law enforcement.
• Vehicle carry.
• Reciprocity overview.
• Penalties for unlawful carry.

The manual is available from BCI and at attorneygeneral.nd.gov. Applicants should obtain the current edition prior to testing.

Training Cost

Training costs are set by the BCI-authorized administrator and are separate from the BCI application fee ($60 for both classes). Class 1 courses typically cost more than Class 2 (the open-book test alone) because of classroom and range time. Range time, ammunition, and target costs are typically the applicant's responsibility.

What the CWL Training Does NOT Cover

The CWL training is a competency floor, not a comprehensive use-of-force or tactical curriculum. Topics typically not covered in depth include:

• Advanced shooting under stress.
• Force-on-force training.
• Civil-liability exposure following a defensive use of force.
• Out-of-state law for travel.
• Tactical medicine.

Many ND instructors offer follow-on courses (advanced defensive handgun, low-light, etc.) that go beyond the statutory CWL minimum. These are recommended but not required.

Recertification Training (Renewal)

• Class 1 renewal: Full retake of training and testing every 5 years.
• Class 2 renewal: No testing required if the renewal application is submitted within the 6-month window before expiration. Use of fingerprints already on file with BCI.

See the Renewal Process section for full procedural detail.

Statutory References

Contact

• ND BCI Concealed Weapon Licensing Unit: (701) 328-5523
• Mailing: BCI-CWL, PO Box 1054, Bismarck, ND 58502
• Website: attorneygeneral.nd.gov (Concealed Weapon Licensing section)