California Online CCW Initial 16-Hour Course for Non-Residents

Complete Part A of your California CCW initial training online from home, then complete Part B — your required live-fire qualification — in your hometown with an approved instructor or approved training facility.

Enroll in the Online CCW Course
Check Approved Agencies

What You Should Know Before Enrolling

Each California licensing agency maintains its own list of approved CCW training providers. Before purchasing this course, you should verify that this online training is accepted by the Sheriff’s Department or Police Department that will process your California CCW application.

Acceptance of online training varies by issuing agency. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that this course satisfies the classroom training requirements established by their specific licensing authority before registering.

Click here to view the list of California licensing agencies that currently recognize our training.

Approved Training & Trusted Instruction

This page and online initial CCW course are proudly brought to you by Nationwide CCW, one of Los Angeles County’s premier CCW training providers.

Nationwide CCW has proudly trained thousands of students from all walks of life, including judges, deputy district attorneys, attorneys, current and former law enforcement officers, federal agents, military personnel, first responders, security professionals, business owners, and responsible law-abiding citizens.

Our instructors are committed to providing professional, practical, and responsible firearms education focused on safety, legal compliance, and responsible concealed carry.

Complete Your California CCW Training From Home

Not authorized by all police departments or licensing agencies. Please verify that your issuing agency accepts online CCW training before enrolling.

California online CCW training for non-resident applicants consists of two required parts: Part A and Part B.

Part A is this online California CCW Initial 16-Hour Course, which allows you to complete the classroom portion of your training from the comfort of your home — on your schedule.

Part B is your required live-fire qualification. As a non-resident applicant, you must shoot and qualify with each firearm you want listed on your California CCW permit in your hometown or local area with an approved instructor or approved firearms training facility.

Designed for Non-Resident California CCW Applicants

This course is designed for eligible non-resident applicants applying for a California Concealed Carry Weapon license through a participating California licensing agency.

Whether you are new to firearms or an experienced shooter, this training program guides you through the essential topics needed for responsible concealed carry.

Non-resident applicants may have additional requirements, including agency-specific forms, identification rules, fingerprint instructions, background investigation requirements, and live-fire documentation. Students should carefully review the instructions from the California licensing agency where they are applying before purchasing training or submitting an application.

Important Non-Resident Application Information

Non-resident California CCW applicants may be required to complete the standard California application process, provide valid identification from their home state, submit fingerprints, complete a background investigation, attend an interview, and provide additional documentation requested by the licensing authority.

Applicants may also be required to identify the firearms they intend to carry in California by make, model, caliber, and serial number. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that any firearm they intend to carry in California is lawful to possess and carry in California.

Some agencies may require additional forms, proof of membership in an approved organization, an attestation that the applicant intends to spend time in the jurisdiction, notarized releases, psychological evaluation, fingerprint cards, or other documentation. Always follow the instructions of the California licensing agency where you are applying.

How the Non-Resident Initial CCW Process Works

Part A — Online 16-Hour Classroom Training

Complete the required California CCW classroom instruction online at your own pace using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Your course progress is automatically saved, so you can start, pause, and resume whenever your schedule allows.

This online course is Part A only of the initial training process. After successfully completing and passing the online portion, you must still complete the required live-fire qualification.

Part B — Hometown Live-Fire Qualification

After completing and passing Part A, non-resident applicants must complete the required live-fire shooting qualification for each handgun they intend to list on their California CCW permit.

This live-fire qualification must be completed in your hometown or local area with an approved instructor, qualified firearms instructor, or approved firearms training facility that satisfies the requirements of the California licensing agency processing your application.

You must complete Part B with an approved instructor or facility, similar to the way non-resident applicants complete the shooting qualification during the initial California CCW application process.

Before scheduling your live-fire qualification, confirm that your instructor, training facility, qualification form, and supporting documentation are accepted by your issuing agency.

Trusted by Thousands of Students

• Thousands of trained students
• Professional, licensed, certified, and vetted CCW instructors
• Our instructors and training partners have thousands of positive Google and Yelp reviews
• Clear instruction focused on safety, legal responsibility, and responsible firearm ownership

Students choose this program because it focuses on clear instruction, practical knowledge, and responsible firearm ownership.

Why Non-Residents Choose This Online CCW Course

Professional CCW Instruction

Our curriculum is designed to help students understand both the legal responsibilities and practical skills required for concealed carry.

This course emphasizes firearm safety, legal compliance, responsible decision-making, defensive mindset, safe handling, and the serious responsibility that comes with carrying a concealed firearm in California.

What You Will Learn

This comprehensive California CCW initial training course covers important topics designed to help applicants understand the serious responsibility of carrying a concealed firearm.

• Firearm safety fundamentals
• Safe firearm storage and handling
• California firearm laws and legal responsibilities
• Defensive mindset and situational awareness
• Principles of lawful self-defense
• De-escalation and conflict avoidance
• Shooting fundamentals and range safety
• Responsible concealed carry practices
• Interactions with law enforcement
• Mental health, stress, and decision-making

These lessons help ensure students understand the legal, ethical, and practical responsibilities involved in carrying a concealed firearm in California.

Progress Auto-Save Feature

Train on Your Schedule

Our system automatically saves your progress so you can return to the course anytime.

You can study:

• Early in the morning
• During lunch breaks
• Late at night
• On weekends
• While traveling
• Whenever your schedule allows

You have 60 days to complete the online course from the date of registration.

If the course is not completed within 60 days, you will need to register again and restart the online course.

Part B: Live-Fire Qualification in Your Hometown

After completing and passing Part A, non-resident applicants must complete Part B — the required live-fire shooting qualification.

For non-resident applicants, this live-fire qualification must be completed in your hometown or local area with an approved instructor, qualified firearms instructor, or approved firearms training facility accepted by the California licensing agency processing your application.

This is the same general process non-resident applicants follow during the initial California CCW application process: complete the online classroom training, then complete the shooting qualification locally with an approved instructor or facility.

During the live-fire qualification, you may be required to demonstrate:

• Safe firearm handling
• Safe loading and unloading
• Basic marksmanship
• Proper firearm manipulation
• Proper range safety procedures
• Qualification with each handgun you intend to list on your California CCW permit

Important: You must confirm with your issuing agency that your selected instructor, training facility, live-fire course, qualification form, and documentation are accepted before completing your qualification.

Approved Instructor or Training Facility Requirement

Non-resident applicants must complete the live-fire requirement with an instructor or facility that satisfies the standards of the California licensing authority where they are applying.

Depending on the agency, acceptable instructors may include instructors certified through recognized firearms training organizations, law enforcement firearms instructors, POST-certified instructors, or other agency-approved firearms instructors or training providers.

The student may be required to submit the instructor’s certification, a signed live-fire completion letter, qualification documentation, or agency-required training forms.

Approved CCW Training Provider

We are proud to be an approved training vendor for multiple California licensing agencies.

Our mission is to provide professional CCW training that prepares students to carry responsibly and safely.

Before registering, always confirm that your specific Sheriff’s Department or Police Department recognizes this course and training provider for your application.

Important Information Before Registering

Please review the following before signing up:

• Confirm that your issuing California agency accepts this online course
• Confirm that this course satisfies Part A of the required initial training
• Understand that you must complete Part B live-fire qualification separately
• Confirm that your local instructor or training facility is approved or accepted
• Confirm what documents your instructor must provide after qualification
• Review your agency’s non-resident application instructions
• Review all course requirements and prerequisites
• Review the refund policy before registering

All course registrations are final and non-refundable.

Please review the refund policy before registering.

Start Your California Online CCW Training Today

Complete Part A of your California Initial 16-Hour CCW training online from home, then complete Part B live-fire qualification locally with an approved instructor or approved firearms training facility.

Train on your schedule. Learn from experienced instructors. Prepare for responsible concealed carry.

Enroll in the Online CCW Course
View Approved Agencies

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course for non-resident California CCW applicants?

Yes. This course is designed for eligible non-resident California CCW applicants completing the classroom portion of California initial CCW training, subject to acceptance by the California licensing agency processing the application.

Is this the full California CCW training requirement?

No. This online course is Part A — the classroom portion. Non-resident applicants must also complete Part B — the live-fire shooting qualification — in their hometown or local area with an approved instructor or approved firearms training facility.

Do I need to travel to California for classroom training?

No. Part A is completed online from home using a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Where do I complete Part B?

Non-resident students complete Part B in their hometown or local area with an approved instructor or approved firearms training facility accepted by the California licensing agency processing the application.

Is this the same process as the non-resident initial application?

Yes. Non-resident students generally complete the shooting qualification locally with an approved instructor or facility as part of the initial California CCW application process.

Do I need to qualify with every firearm?

Yes. You must complete live-fire qualification with each handgun you intend to list on your California CCW permit, subject to the rules of your issuing agency.

Can I use any instructor?

No. Your instructor or training facility must be approved or accepted by the California licensing agency processing your application.

How long do I have to complete the online course?

Students have 60 days from the date of registration to complete the online training.

Can I take this course on my phone?

Yes. The course works on phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

Does completing this course allow me to carry a concealed firearm?

No. Taking this course, passing the course, or receiving a certificate of completion alone does not allow you to carry a firearm or carry concealed in California. You must complete all application, training, live-fire, background, and licensing requirements and receive approval from the issuing agency.

Who decides whether my application is approved?

Only the California Sheriff’s Department or Police Department processing your application can approve or deny your application after reviewing all required documents, background information, training, live-fire documentation, and agency-specific requirements.

Important Notice

This online course is intended to satisfy Part A — the classroom training portion — of the California Initial 16-Hour CCW training requirement for participating licensing agencies.

Completion of this course or receipt of a certificate of completion does not grant permission to carry a concealed firearm, does not guarantee application approval, and does not replace the required live-fire qualification.

Non-resident applicants must complete Part B — the live-fire shooting qualification — in their hometown or local area with an approved instructor or approved firearms training facility accepted by the issuing California agency.

Only the issuing California law enforcement agency has the authority to approve or deny a CCW application after all statutory and agency-specific requirements have been met.

This online initial course should take 16 hours to complete, including the live-fire exercise.