Maryland Wear & Carry Permit – 16 Hour Handgun Training
$300
This Maryland State Police–compliant 16-hour Wear & Carry course meets the training requirement for original and renewal Maryland Handgun Wear & Carry Permit applications. Training is conducted over two days and includes classroom instruction and the required live-fire qualification.
Day One – Concealed Carry & Defensive Handgun Fundamentals (Classroom)
Day one covers the USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Program, providing a strong foundation in responsible handgun ownership and defensive use.
Topics include:
Firearm safety and safe handling
Handgun fundamentals and defensive shooting principles
Concealed carry methods and gear considerations
Home defense strategies and situational awareness
Use of force principles and legal considerations
Mindset, conflict avoidance, and post-incident considerations
Day Two – Maryland & Federal Law + Live-Fire Qualification
Day two focuses on the legal responsibilities of permit holders and required qualification.
Classroom instruction includes:
Maryland Wear & Carry laws and regulations
Legal carry locations and prohibited places
Transport and storage requirements
Use of deadly force under Maryland law
Law enforcement interactions
Applicable Federal firearms laws
The afternoon consists of outdoor live-fire training and completion of the Maryland State Police required handgun qualification course, conducted under instructor supervision.
What’s Included
16 hours of MSP-approved instruction
USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense curriculum
Maryland State Police qualification shoot
Course completion certificate valid for MSP application
Requirements
Handgun suitable for qualification
Eye and ear protection
Ammunition (quantity provided prior to class)
Holster (if required for class drills)
Who This Class Is For
First-time Maryland Wear & Carry applicants
Renewal applicants
New or experienced handgun owners seeking professional, compliant training
Rental equipment will be available at registration if needed.
16 Hour Full Course
Maryland Wear & Carry Permit Renewal – 8 Hour Handgun Training
$150
This Maryland State Police–compliant 8-hour Wear & Carry Renewal course is for renewal applicants only. It is designed for permit holders who have already completed the initial 16-hour training and need to satisfy the MSP renewal training requirement.
This course focuses on Maryland and Federal law updates and completion of the required live-fire qualification.
Eligibility – Renewal Applicants Only
This class is NOT for first-time applicants.
You must:
Be renewing an existing Maryland Handgun Wear & Carry Permit
Have previously completed the initial 16-hour MSP-approved training
If you are applying for your first Wear & Carry Permit, you must enroll in the 16-hour course.
Classroom Instruction – Maryland & Federal Law (Morning)
The classroom portion provides a focused review of the legal responsibilities of Wear & Carry permit holders, including recent changes and clarifications.
Topics include:
Maryland Wear & Carry laws and regulations
Legal carry locations and prohibited areas
Transport and storage requirements
Use of deadly force under Maryland law
Interaction with law enforcement
Relevant Federal firearms laws for permit holders
Live-Fire Qualification – Outdoor Range (Afternoon)
In the afternoon, students will move to an outdoor range to complete the Maryland State Police required handgun qualification course.
Conducted under instructor supervision
MSP qualification course of fire
Emphasis on safe gun handling and accuracy
Qualification score documented for MSP compliance
What’s Included
8 hours of MSP-approved renewal instruction
Maryland State Police handgun qualification
Course completion certificate for renewal submission
Equipment Requirements
Handgun suitable for qualification
Eye and ear protection
Ammunition (quantity provided prior to class)
Who This Class Is For
Renewal applicants only
Rental equipment will be available at registration if needed.
8 Hour Renewal Only
Maryland Handgun Qualification License (HQL) – 4 Hour Classroom Course
$75
This 4-hour HQL classroom course is designed for individuals seeking to meet the training requirement for the Maryland Handgun Qualification License (HQL) only. Students enrolled in this option will attend the first four hours of Day One of our Wear & Carry course and are not required to attend the remaining portions of the 16-hour class.
This course satisfies the instructional training requirement for the Maryland HQL when combined with fingerprinting and application submission through the Maryland State Police.
Course Content – 4 Hour Classroom Instruction
This course covers the required HQL training topics, including:
Firearm safety rules and safe handling
Basic handgun operation and terminology
Ammunition fundamentals
Proper storage and transportation of handguns
Maryland firearms laws relevant to handgun ownership
Responsibilities of handgun ownership
Introduction to use of force principles
Overview of the handgun purchasing process in Maryland
Live fire demonstration to show the instructor that you can safely handle, load, and fire the weapon into a target
Who This Course Is For
Individuals applying for a Maryland Handgun Qualification License (HQL) only
New handgun owners
Students who do not need a Wear & Carry Permit
If you are applying for a Maryland Wear & Carry Permit, you must register for the full 16-hour course.
What’s Included
4 hours of MSP-compliant HQL instruction
Certificate of training for HQL application submission
What This Course Does NOT Include
Maryland Wear & Carry Permit qualification
Wear & Carry Permit certificate
Next Steps After Class
To complete your HQL application, you will also need:
Digital fingerprinting from an approved provider
Submission of your application through the Maryland State Police Licensing Portal
Equipment Requirements
No firearm required
No ammunition required
Notebook and pen recommended