Riverside County · CA DOJ Certified

CCW License
Training.

State-mandated concealed carry training delivered by a CA DOJ Certified Instructor. 16-hour initial. 8-hour renewal. Riverside County approved.

16
Hours — Initial
8
Hours — Renewal
70%
Passing Score
⚠️

THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER'S CLASS. You must arrive able to safely handle, manipulate, and shoot your firearm. If you are unsafe or cannot pass the qualification, you will be failed. No exceptions.  New to shooting? Start with the APEX Basics of Pistol Shooting course →

Before You Register

Confirm You Qualify

Firearm Requirement

You must own a handgun registered with the CA DOJ in your name — not a spouse's or partner's name.

Age

You must be 21 years of age or older to apply for a CCW in California.

Clean Record

No felonies, misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, or 5150 psychiatric holds.

Residency

Proof of Riverside County residency required — current DL with matching address, or utility bill in your name.

The Process

Step-by-Step

1

Start your application with Riverside County first

Begin your official CCW application with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office before anything else. You need your Permitium application and order number before you can be fingerprinted.

→ Start Riverside County Application

Do you need the Sheriff's approval before taking class? No. Riverside County does not require you to complete your interview before attending training. You can take this class before or after your sheriff's interview — up to 6 months either way. That said, apply first so your application is active and your order number is ready for Live Scan. Renewals: start the process at least 6 months before your permit expires.
2

Complete your Live Scan fingerprinting

After submitting your application and before your sheriff's interview, complete Live Scan at an authorized Riverside County Sheriff location. Do not go elsewhere — off-list locations are not accepted.

Sheriff HQ (5th Floor)4095 Lemon St, Riverside
(951) 955-2440
Lake Mathews — Corona9 Latitude Way
(951) 272-5600
Southwest — TemeculaPromenade Mall, Suite 2020
(951) 506-5151
Moreno Valley Station22850 Calle San Juan
(951) 486-6700
Lake Elsinore Station333 Limited Ave
(951) 245-3300
Hemet Station43950 E. Acacia Ave
(951) 791-3400

CCW Unit: (951) 486-2856

3

Book and pay for your class

Register and pay to secure your spot. Your seat is not held without payment. Bring the right gear — see the equipment section below.

→ Register for Initial Course (USCCA)
→ Register for Renewal Course (USCCA)

4

Complete the classroom training

Initial applicants attend a 16-hour, 2-day course covering state-mandated topics: firearm safety, legal use of force, CA-specific carry laws, mental wellness, and written exam. Renewal applicants complete 8 hours — typically Day 2 of the initial course schedule, though standalone renewal dates are also offered.

5

Pass the live-fire qualification

You must qualify with each firearm you want listed on your permit. See the qualification details below. You must arrive able to hit a target at 15 yards — this is not the time to learn.

6

Receive your certification and submit to the county

Upon passing, you'll receive your CCW Qualification Certificate. Submit it to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office as part of your permit application. Renewals: your certificate must be submitted within 90 days of your permit's expiration — effective January 1, 2026.

Renewal Applicants

Critical 90-Day Rule

Effective January 1, 2026

Your renewal application — including your CCW Qualification Certificate — must be submitted to Riverside County within 90 calendar days of your permit's expiration date. Do not wait until your permit expires to schedule class. Plan ahead.

Renewal courses are 8 hours. Renewals typically attend Day 2 of the initial class schedule, though standalone renewal-only sessions are offered periodically — check current dates when registering.

Range Protocol

This Is a Cold Range

All students must follow cold range protocol at all times. These are not suggestions — failure to comply will result in immediate removal from the range.

Arriving to Class

All firearms must be brought to class in a locked case, unloaded. If you carry daily and arrive with your firearm on your person, you will keep it holstered until given specific instructions on when and how to safely unholster and clear it — this happens during paperwork check-in under instructor supervision.

On the Range

Magazine out, chamber empty at all times until you are at the firing line and the instructor gives the command to load and make ready. Not before. Additional firearms being qualified must remain unloaded in a locked container until it is their turn on the line.

Range Qualification

Riverside County Course of Fire

Distance Rounds
7 Yards 6 Rounds
10 Yards 6 Rounds
15 Yards 6 Rounds
70% to pass — all shots in the green Not timed Two attempts allowed

You must qualify with each firearm you want on your permit (up to 6). Each firearm is scored independently. Range fees and targets are included in your course fee.

Day-of Requirements

What to Bring

✦

Handgun(s)

Up to 6 on your permit. First included. +$30 for 2nd, +$30 for 3rd. Free after that. All in locked, unloaded cases.

✦

Ammunition

100 rounds per firearm. Bring the full amount — you may need extra if you use your second qualification attempt.

✦

Eye & Ear Protection

Your own — required. You will not be allowed on the range without both. No exceptions.

✦

Photo ID

Government-issued. Required for check-in.

Targets and range fees are included in your course fee.

Holster Requirements — Non-Negotiable

  • Kydex only — purpose-built for your make & model
  • No leather holsters
  • Full trigger guard coverage at all times
  • No nylon or universal holsters
  • Strong-side hip carry permitted
  • No shoulder, ankle, or cross-draw
  • Appendix (AIWB) carry permitted
  • No small-of-back carry
  • Retains firearm when held upside down
Pricing

Course Fees

Initial
New Applicants
$300
16-Hour Course + Live-Fire Qualification
Covers certification of one firearm. +$30 for 2nd firearm, +$30 for 3rd. Firearms after the 3rd are free. Range fees and targets included.
Renewals
$150
8-Hour Course + Live-Fire Qualification
Same per-firearm add-on fees apply. Range fees and targets included.
✅ Range fees and targets are included in your course fee. No additional range payment required on the day.
Course Curriculum

What You'll Cover

Initial Only Initial + Renewal
Day 1 — Initials Only
8 Hours
Introduction 30 min
Lesson 1 — Personal & Home Protection Plan 90 min
Lesson 2 — Self-Defense Firearm Basics 90 min
Lesson 3 — Shooting Fundamentals 60 min
Lesson 4 — Legal Use of Force 90 min
Lesson 5 — Violent Encounters & the Aftermath 60–90 min
Lesson 6 — Gear & Gadgets 30 min
Lesson 7 — Basic & Advanced Skills 30–60 min
Day 2 — Initial + Renewal
8 Hours
⚡ Renewal applicants arrive Day 2 ready to shoot — class begins at the range.
Dry-Fire & Holster Draw Instruction Safety check · draw reps · holster inspection before live fire
1 hr
Live-Fire Qualification 7 / 10 / 15 yds · 6 rounds each · 70% to pass · two attempts
1 hr
Non-Lethal Self-Defense 1 hr
Instructor-Guided Simulations 1 hr
Mental Wellness (CA state-mandated) 2 hrs
California Legal Supplement 2 hrs
Written Examination 1 hr

Students who do not pass the live-fire qualification do not continue to the written examination. Certification is issued only upon passing both the qualification and the written exam.

See It First

What Class Looks Like

▶

Class Preview Video

Coming soon — Dr. Tahir walks you through exactly what to expect on class day. Check back before your registration.

Ready to Get Certified?

Start your Riverside County application first, then register for your class below.

Register — Initial (16 hr) Register — Renewal (8 hr)

Need to start your county application first? Apply with Riverside County here.