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Can you take a concealed carry class online?
It depends on your state. Virginia's law asks you to show competence with a handgun in person, Illinois asks for a live-fire exercise for a new license, and Utah asks for a course certified by its state agency. Read your state's rule before you pay for any online class.
By State Cert GuideChecked against the sources listed below.
The steps, in order
Read your state's rule
What proof does it name?
Check the class
Does it fit that rule?
Take the class
Including any in-person part
Keep your certificate
You may need it to apply
Steps: read your state's rule, check each class against it, take the class, and keep your certificate.
What the rule says
What does Virginia ask for?
The permit statute says the court shall require proof that you have demonstrated competence with a handgun in person. It lists ways to show it, and no applicant has to submit to any additional demonstration.
law.lis.virginia.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
Does Virginia name a type of class?
Among the ways the statute lists is any in-person firearms training or safety course conducted by a state-certified, National Rifle Association-certified, or United States Concealed Carry Association-certified firearms instructor.
law.lis.virginia.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
What does Illinois ask for?
For a new license, the statute asks for proof from a certified instructor that you passed a live fire exercise with a concealable firearm. The exercise includes a minimum of 30 rounds.
What about Utah?
Utah's Bureau of Criminal Identification says applicants must complete a firearms familiarity course certified by BCI.
Where people go wrong
- You buy an online class before you read your state's rule. We haven't confirmed which online classes any state accepts.
- You assume a class that counts in one state counts in another. Virginia, Illinois and Utah each word their rule differently.
- You skip the range. For a new license, Illinois asks for proof that you passed a live fire exercise.
Questions
How long is the Illinois training?
For a new license, the statute asks for proof of a firearms training course, or a combination of courses, that the Illinois State Police has approved, of at least 16 hours. That time includes range qualification.
Does Illinois ask for training again at renewal?
Yes. To renew, the statute asks for proof of a firearms training course, or a combination of courses, that the Illinois State Police has approved, of at least 3 hours.
Where do I find an Illinois course?
The statute says the Illinois State Police makes a list of courses it has approved available on its website.
Is anyone exempt from the Illinois training rule?
Among those the statute exempts are an active law enforcement or corrections officer who completed his or her agency's firearms training and is authorized to carry, and a person currently certified as a firearms instructor under the Act or by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board.
What if my Virginia training is not on the list?
One item on the statute's list lets you show competence with any other firearms training that the court deems adequate.
Your next step
Read your state's rule and check each class against it. The link below is Virginia's statute.
Sources we read
- bci.utah.gov › new permits · read Nov 13, 2026
- www.ilga.gov › 043000660K75 · read Nov 13, 2026
- law.lis.virginia.gov › section18.2 308.02 · read Nov 13, 2026
Who publishes this guide
State Cert Guide is an independent guide to what each state requires. If a fact on this page is wrong, tell us and we fix it.