CCL Eligibility and Training Requirements (16 Hours)

Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL) applicants must satisfy the applicable statutory eligibility criteria and training requirements, which generally require at least 16 hours of approved training subject to prior-training credits and statutory exemptions. These requirements, established under 430 ILCS 66/25 and 430 ILCS 66/75, are administered by the Illinois State Police (ISP).^[1] This article covers the full eligibility standards, disqualifying conditions, and the training curriculum that applicants must complete.

Eligibility Requirements (430 ILCS 66/25)

To qualify for an Illinois Concealed Carry License, an applicant must satisfy the applicable eligibility criteria in Section 25 of the Act, subject to the nonresident provisions of Section 40. Failure to meet an applicable requirement results in denial of the application.^[1]

Age and FOID Requirements

The applicant must be at least 21 years of age. Illinois residents must hold a valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card to receive a CCL, but may apply for both together. Eligible nonresidents may submit the documentation required by Section 40 in place of a FOID card.^[2] An applicant under 21 may obtain a FOID card if he or she has never been convicted of a misdemeanor other than a traffic offense or adjudged delinquent and has the written consent of a parent or legal guardian or is an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces or the Illinois National Guard. The CCL has no provision for applicants under 21.^[3]

Disqualifying Conditions

The Act incorporates and expands upon the disqualifiers found in the FOID Act. An applicant is ineligible if they:^[1]

• Have been convicted of any felony
• Have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force within the past 5 years
• Have two or more violations of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past 5 years
• Have been adjudicated as a person with a mental disability or involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility, or have been a patient in a mental health facility within the past 5 years. Admission more than 5 years ago also disqualifies an applicant without the required certification, unless firearm rights have been restored under the FOID Act
• Are addicted to narcotics
• Are intellectually or developmentally disabled, unless firearm rights have been restored under the FOID Act
• Are the subject of a pending arrest warrant, prosecution, or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification to own or possess a firearm (430 ILCS 66/25(4))
• Have been in residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the preceding 5 years (430 ILCS 66/25(5))

Training Requirements (430 ILCS 66/75)

Unless exempt under Section 75(h), new CCL applicants must satisfy the requirement for at least 16 hours of firearms training through ISP-approved courses, with qualifying prior training credited toward that total.^[2] The training curriculum covers two distinct components: classroom instruction and live-fire qualification.

Classroom Instruction

The classroom portion covers firearm safety rules, fundamental operation of handguns, Illinois laws relating to the use of force, carrying in prohibited areas, and the responsibilities of a CCL holder when interacting with law enforcement.^[1] An approved curriculum may only be taught by an instructor approved by the Illinois State Police.^[4]

Live-Fire Qualification

The live-fire component requires the applicant to fire 30 rounds total on a B-27 silhouette target at three distances: 10 rounds at 5 yards, 10 rounds at 7 yards, and 10 rounds at 10 yards. An applicant must hit the target with at least 70% of the rounds fired to pass, which is 21 hits when the minimum of 30 rounds is fired.^[1]

Prior Training Credit

Applicants who have completed prior firearms training may receive credit for up to 8 of the 16 required hours, provided the prior training meets ISP approval standards. Applicants who are not exempt under Section 75(h) must complete at least 8 hours of new training, including the required legal instruction and range qualification.^[2]

Renewal Training

Unless exempt under Section 75(h), CCL holders must complete at least 3 hours of ISP-approved firearms training when renewing their license. Renewal applicants must provide proof that they have completed the required training. Under ISP rules, the 3-hour renewal course must cover any updates to Illinois or federal firearms laws governing concealed carry in Illinois, updates in the listed Criminal Code sections, and appropriate and lawful interaction with law enforcement, along with a live fire qualification.^[1]

Application Processing

Once training is completed, the applicant submits the application electronically and uploads the electronic training certificate during the application process. The ISP has 90 days to process a completed application (430 ILCS 66/10(e)). When the applicant does not submit fingerprints, 430 ILCS 66/30(b)(8) gives the ISP 30 additional days, extending the window to 120 days. The split turns on fingerprints, not FOID status. During this period, the applicant's background is checked against criminal history records, FBI/NICS databases, and Department of Human Services mental health and developmental disability files.^[5]