In order to obtain the Florida CWFL, an applicant must demonstrate competence with a firearm through completion of a firearm safety or training course taught by certified instructors. The training has two components, classroom (or online) instruction, and a live fire shooting exercise. This online training course satisfies the requirements for the classroom portion of the training, and our network of instructors will be able to easily facilitate the completion of the live fire exercise.

See: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.06

The total course completion time will vary somewhat depending on your learning pace, but it generally takes 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.

Yes. In addition to completing this eLearning course, a certified instructor must certify that they “observed the student safely handle and discharge the firearm in his or her physical presence and that the discharge of the firearm included live fire using a firearm and ammunition”.

Once you complete this eLearning course, you will be provided with a certificate of completion verifying the eLearning portion of the training is complete. You will then take that certificate to any certified instructor who can sign off that you have completed the live fire portion of the training. We will provide a list of certified instructors in your area. Once you complete the short live fire exercise, you simply complete the application and send in a copy of your signed certificate in with the application.

Instructions for how to submit the application and complete the live fire exercise will be provided to you during the course.

See: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.06.

Once you complete this eLearning course, you will be provided with a certificate of completion verifying the eLearning portion of the training is complete. You will then take that certificate to any certified instructor who can sign off that you have completed the live fire portion of the training.

We will provide a list of certified instructors in your area. Once you complete the short live fire exercise, the instructor will sign your certificate. You then simply include a copy of your signed certificate with your completed application packet.

The exact format of the live fire exercise will vary somewhat depending on the range/instructor you select, but it is generally a brief shooting exercise that simply demonstrates your ability to safely handle and fire a handgun.

This course was created by the instructor team at U.S. LawShield.

Founded in 2009, U.S. LawShield, America's premier Legal Defense for Self-Defense® organization, offers coverage in 46 states and has served more than 2 million members. A network of 300+ Independent Program Attorneys is readily available, plus access to a 24/7/365 hotline and protection for members throughout the legal process after acts of self-defense.

The lead instructor for the eLearning portion of this course is Phil Nelsen. Phil is an attorney, former prosecutor, tenured professor of law, expert witness, and certified firearm instructor. Prior to joining the LawShield team, Phil founded a nationwide firearm training firm that has certified over 500,000 individuals to obtain their carry permits. A copy of Phil’s instructor credentials will be provided with your certificate of completion.

This course was designed to cover the most essential information you’ll need to know prior to carrying a firearm in Florida. The course is divided up into two main sections. The first section is basic firearm safety, and includes the following topics:

• Parts and operation of a handgun
• Shooting fundamentals
• Ammunition selection and safety
• Care and storage (guns and ammo)
• Maintenance & cleaning
• Malfunctions overview and resolution
• Range rules & safety
• Concealed carry techniques
• Holsters

The second section of the training course will focus on the law, including the following topics:

• Purchase and transfer of firearms
• Vehicle transport laws (local and interstate)
• Airplane transport
• Police encounters while armed
• Open carry vs. concealed carry
• Self-defense laws
• Castle doctrine (defense of habitation)
• Stand your ground vs. duty to retreat
• Miscellaneous state laws to know

To be eligible for a Florida concealed weapon or firearm license:

• You must be 21 years of age or older unless you are a servicemember, as defined in Section 250.01, Florida Statutes, or you are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who was discharged under honorable conditions; in these instances, you may carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm if you are 18 years of age or older.
• You must be able to demonstrate competency with a firearm.
• Unless you are serving overseas in the United States Armed Forces, you must currently reside in the United States and be a U.S. citizen or deemed a lawful permanent resident alien by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. If you are serving overseas in the U.S. Armed Forces, submit a copy of your deployment documentation with your application. Those who are Resident Aliens must provide a valid Permanent Resident Alien card.

Possible Reasons for Ineligibility

• The physical inability to handle a firearm safely.
• A felony conviction (unless civil and firearm rights have been restored by the convicting authority).
• Having adjudication withheld or sentence suspended on a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence unless three years have elapsed since probation or other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled.
• A conviction for a misdemeanor crime of violence in the last three years.
• A conviction for violation of controlled substance laws or multiple arrests for such offenses.
• A record of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Two or more DUI convictions within the previous three years.
• Being committed to a mental institution or adjudged incompetent or mentally defective.
• Failing to provide proof of proficiency with a firearm.
• Having been issued a domestic violence injunction or an injunction against repeat violence that is currently in force.
• Renouncement of U.S. citizenship.
• A dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
• Being a fugitive from justice.