Permit Training Requirements

Permit Training Requirements

Handgun Safety Permit Training Requirements

An applicant for an initial permit to carry weapons shall demonstrate knowledge of firearm safety by any of the following means:

  • Completion of any national rifle association handgun safety training course or a handgun safety training course offered by an instructor certified by an organization approved by the department of public safety pursuant to section 724.9. 
  • Completion of any handgun safety training course available to the general public offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, college, private or public institution or organization, or firearms training school, utilizing instructors certified by the national rifle association or an organization approved by the Department of Public Safety pursuant to section 724.9 or another state’s department of public safety, state police department, or similar certifying body. 

The Iowa Department of Public Safety has approved has approved the organizations listed below under section 724.9A.

National Rifle Association (NRA)* 
United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
Concealed Coalition 

*Approval to certify instructors provided pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 724.9 are exempt from the Iowa Department of Public Safety training organization approval process.

Educator Permit Training Requirements

School Bus

To be eligible for an Iowa Educator Professional Permit to Carry Weapons, applicants must first meet the standard handgun safety training requirements required for any of Iowa’s carry permits as outlined in 724.9. Applicants for an Educator Permit must also meet the additional training requirements shown below:

An applicant for the Educator Permit to Carry Weapons must also submit proof of successful completion of the training courses outlined in Administrative Rule sections 661-91.14 – 661-91.19.

Please see a brief overview of required training courses below. 

Educator Permit Training Requirements

Approved Educator Courses

The Iowa Department of Public Safety has approved the educator courses listed below under Administrative Rule section 661-91.13. 

DPS-Approved List of Educator Courses