CCL Illinois
Illinois Concealed Carry Courses
Firearms Training Requirements in Illinois
A 16-hour firearms training course conducted by a state-approved instructor is required for all new concealed carry license applications. The course consists of:
Firearms safety;
Principles of marksmanship;
Care, cleaning, loading, and unloading of a concealable firearm;
All applicable Illinois and federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carrying, and transportation of a firearm; and
Proof of certification by a certified instructor that the applicant passed a live fire exercise with a concealable firearm consisting of:
A minimum of 30 rounds; and
10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards, 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards, and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a target approved by DSP.
Maximum 8 hours of prior training credit is available for the Applicants that will provide documentation of following courses:
- Illinois Hunter Safety Course 4 hours
- Utah Concealed Carry 4 hours
- Florida Concealed Carry 4 hours
- Nevada Concealed Carry 4 hours
- Missouri Concealed Carry 4 hours
- Kentucky Concealed Carry 4 hours
- Michigan Concealed Carry 4 hours
- Chicago Firearms Safety Course 4 hours
- NRA Basic Pistol 8 hours
- NRA Personal Protection in the Home 8 hours
- NRA Personal Protection outside the Home 8 hours
- Active, Retired or Honorably Discharged Member of US Armed forces 8 hours
- Previously Qualified Law Enforcement or Correction Officer (430 ILCS 66/75(j)) 8 hours
Either two - 4 hour courses or one - 8 hour course from the above list might be aplicable towards Concealed Carry Firearm Training.
Renewal of existing CCL permit requires at least 3 hours of training:
2 hours Classroom recommended for all applicable State and Federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carry and transportation of the firearms,
1 hour range time recommended for weapon handling, handgun fundamentals, handgun concealment, live fire qualification with concealable firearmconcisting of minimum 30 rounds which must include 10 rounds froma distance of 5 yards, 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at the B-27 silhouette target approved by the Illinois State Police.
Illinois grants non-resident licenses only to residents of states or territories of the United States that have laws related to firearm ownership, possession and carrying that are substantially similar to the requirements to Illinois. Currently, the only states considered to be substantially similar are Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Virginia. The application is the same as for residents.