Everything You Need To Know about Nevada CCW Requirements

As Nevada law mandates, the concealed carry weapon permit allows any resident or non-resident to carry a concealed firearm legally. The law was implemented in 2007. Any individuals who would like a permit must attend a permit training course that teaches safe handling and legal responsibilities.

The permit applies to all handguns that you own, so no matter which one you are carrying around, the permit is still applicable.

Here are some general requirements to be eligible for a permit:

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must not be prohibited from owning a firearm
• A Nevada Sheriffs’ & Chiefs’ Association approved firearms safety course completion certificate
• Haven’t been convicted of a felony

There are also further requirements for both residents and non-residents when applying for a new permit or renewing an expired one.

Nevada Resident CCW New Permit

The Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association (NvSCA) establishes the minimum training standards for permits. All the training must be completed in Nevada, and the coursework must total at least eight hours.

Training providers have the option to offer a long, intensive one-day, eight-hour class or two four-hour classes that cannot be more than 15 days apart.

You’ll need to pass a firearms safety course, a written examination, and a live fire qualification. Once you complete the course, your course certificate will be valid for one year from your date of completion.

Here is a look into the specific parts of the course you need to pass:

The Firearms Safety Course

The Firearms Safety Course is really an umbrella term for your entire permit coursework. It includes classroom instruction, live fire qualification, and written examinations.

By the end of the course, you need to be familiar with the following:

• Basic firearm knowledge and safe handling
• Ammunition knowledge and safe handling of ammunition
• Proficiency in cleaning and care of firearm
• Proficiency in storage and child-proofing firearms
• Proficiency in handgun shooting techniques and positions
• Laws pertaining to the use of firearms in the state of Nevada
• Use of deadly force, force continuum, civil and criminal liability
• Avoiding criminal attacks and controlling violent confrontations

An instructor will sign off that you have completed each of these sections.

The Written Examination

The written examination consists of 50 questions, both multiple-choice and true/false. Its purpose is to assess your knowledge and understanding of firearms safety and laws.

You only get one chance to pass your written examination, so listening closely throughout your course and taking notes is essential. All participants will need 70% to pass, and tests are only scored as a pass/fail.

No one receives a CCW permit without passing the written exam. Take your time and ask your instructor any questions if you’re unsure of what a question means.

Live Fire Qualification

Here is where all your training and practice will pay off. The live fire qualification has different requirements based on the type of firearm you’ll be using. Any guns that have a six-shot capacity or larger will need to fire a total of 30 live rounds. A firearm with a five-shot capacity is required to shoot 25 live rounds.

To pass, you need a score of 70% or better, and just like the written exam, scores are judged by a pass/fail system.

Here are the details to expect for a six-shot capacity course:

• Three yards: Six rounds, no time limit, freestyle stance and grip
• Five yards: 12 rounds, no time limit, freestyle stance and grip
• Seven yards: 12 rounds, no time limit, freestyle stance and grip

Here are the five-shot capacity requirements:

• Three yards: Five rounds, no time limit, freestyle stance and grip
• Five yards: 10 rounds, no time limit, freestyle stance and grip
• Seven yards: 10 rounds, no time limit, freestyle stance and grip

A live round must consist of the case, primer, propellant powder, and metallic projectile. No simulated ammunition will be accepted in your CCW course.

Resident Renewing CCW Permit

The course length for renewing your CCW permit is half as long, so only four hours are required. The best part about renewing your CCW permit is that you don’t need a written examination.

The course completion certificate is valid for up to one year after you complete the course, and all training must be conducted within the state of Nevada.

Live Fire Qualification

The live fire qualification for renewing your permit is the exact same as when you applied the first time. Six-shot capacity firearms require 30 live rounds, and you must stand at three, five, and seven yards from your target.

The five-shot capacity firearms still require 25 live rounds in the same distances as the six-shot capacity course.

Any firearms that have less than a five-shot capacity will require a reload at each stage to meet the five-shot standard. Typically, a humanoid-style target like the B27, B21, or FBI Q is used.

Non-Resident New and Renewal Qualifications

Even non-residents can get their firearm CCW permit in Nevada, but they’ll have to follow more stringent rules to be accepted.

For starters, non-residents have to complete their training in Nevada and in the specific county they are applying for a non-resident permit.

Non-residents applying for a permit for the first time need to take an eight-hour course or two four-hour courses that are no longer than 15 days apart.

All other qualifications for the written examination and the live fire qualification are the exact same, and the course completion certificate is good for one year.

Renewal applicants must complete the training in Nevada and the specific county where they apply for a non-resident permit. All other qualifications and requirements are the same as those for resident applicants.

How To Get the Best CCW Class Experience

The right CCW permit class will make a huge difference in your experience and how well you retain the information. A good course has excellent instructors who are knowledgeable and can answer any questions you have.

Excellent classes also combine learning methods from hands-on training to interactive discussions and multimedia presentations.

The best way to find a class in Nevada is by looking through online reviews. You’ll get real feedback from Nevada residents to see if the class is worth investing in.

If you are interested in applying for a CCW permit, here’s an additional guide to getting a Nevada CCW, which covers Nevada’s CCW qualifications.

We offer concealed carry classes at The Range 702 in Las Vegas! Our courses aim to give you the knowledge and practical application you need to be safe and responsible with your concealed firearm.