Title: Firearms Training Instructor Certification -Organizations / Instructors
Alternate Title:
Description:
Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
Subject: Firearms
Creation Date: 9/11/2008 2:13:10 PM
Modification Date: 11/18/2024 3:28:19 PM
Agency Name: Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota Department of
Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov
Agency Description:
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), Emergency Communication Networks, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Office of Justice Programs, State Fire Marshal, Pipeline Safety, State Highway Patrol, Capitol Security and Traffic Safety.
Agency Phone: 651-201-7000
Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov
Agency Address: Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota Dept. of
445 Minnesota Street
St. Paul
MN
55101
Division Name: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
Division URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/default.aspx
Division Description:
Division Phone: 651-793-7000 -24 Hours
Division Fax: Division URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/default.aspx
Division Address:
1430 Maryland Ave. East
St. Paul
MN 55106
Unit Name: Firearms Instructor
Unit URL:
Unit Description:
Unit Phone: 651-793-2754
Unit Fax: Contact person(s): bca.permittocarry@state.mn.us
Unit URL:
Audience: Hold
Application URL:
Renewal URL:
Versa URL:
Requirements:
Review:
Firearms
Firearms Carry Permit Instructor Certification
People wanting to obtain a Minnesota Permit to Carry are required by Minnesota law to receive training on the use of a firearm from an approved organization’s certified instructor.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) approves organizations that provide permit to carry training. Approved organizations are allowed to certify instructors. There is no fee to apply. Organizations should use the form:
Business Organization Application for Certification of Firearms Instructors
Certified Firearms Organization Requirements
To qualify for DPS approval as an organization authorized to certify instructors, the organization or government agency must meet, maintain and submit the following items:
- Certificate of Good Standing from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office issued within 60 days of application.
- Lesson plans and course syllabus for instructor and student courses that demonstrate that the successful candidates will be able to teach and have received the basic requirements for applicants for permits to carry required by Minn. Stat, § 624.714, subd. 2a.
- Copy of course of live fire to be utilized in both instructor and student courses. DPS requires a total of at least 25 rounds at multiple distances for the live fire qualification for both courses.
- Copy of certificate to be issued by organization to instructors and students. Certificates issued by your organization must specifically state that the training meets the requirements of Minn. Stat, § 624.714, subd. 2a.
- Written description of how the organization will maintain instructor and student records.
- Written description of how organization will maintain proficiency of instruction (including legal updates) and ensure the instructional practices and integrity of instructors.
- Student instruction must include the psychological and physical effects during and after a critical incident.
- Copy of current (issued within the past five years) instructor credentials of primary contact or owner that document:
- Instruction in the fundamentals of pistol use including mechanical knowledge of handguns and safe practices in shooting, loading, unloading, clearing firearm malfunctions, safe storage and firearm care.
- Completion of a shooting qualification exercise and the ability to evaluate shooting proficiency and safe weapon handling skills of students in a practical firearm shooting exercise.
- Instruction in the legal aspects of pistol possession, carry, and use, including self-defense, the restrictions on the use of deadly force, and the psychological and physiological effects of a violent threat encounter.
- Instruction on how to maintain records of students seeking a permit to carry a firearm.
Materials from the NRA or similar organizations will not be accepted.
Organizations must be approved by the Department of Public Safety every five years. DPS does not send renewal notifications.
View the current list of approved organizations and their certification expiration dates
Instructor Requirements
Approved organizations and government entities may certify individuals to become instructors using the guidelines listed above. Under Minn. Stat, § 624.714, subd. 2a (d) the individual’s certification is valid if issued within the last five years in accordance with Department of Public Safety standards.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding applying to become an organization authorized to certify instructors.
Firearms trainers/organizations seeking more information should contact 651-793-2764 or bca.permit.to.carry@state.mn.us
Rules:
Statutes: 624.714
Forms:
Business Organization Application for Certification of Firearms Instructors
Fees:
None
Period of Issuance: This certification must be renewed every five years.
Length of Determination: There is no processing time associated with this certification.
Other Info:
Activity: Firearms
Firearms Instructor
License Detail URL:
Firearms Carry Permit Instructor Certification
Firearms
Business Organizations Approved to Train Instructors
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)

Social Media
