Apply to Become a Concealed Weapons Training Organization
A Training Organization is an entity legally established pursuant to federal, state, county or city requirements and authorized to conduct business in Arizona.
This means a person or corporation must create a business that intends to teach approved firearms safety training programs (CCW classes) and submit an organization application to the CWPU for authorization. Applications are available under the printable forms section of this web page. You will be required to name a point of contact for the organization, along with addresses and phone numbers for both the business and the point of contact. The point of contact is the responsible party for the organization, who has direct knowledge of day to day operations.
Procedure to become an organization and provide instruction:
- Thoroughly research this website
- Obtain an application under the printable forms section
- Research the proposed name of your business to ensure it is not being used
- Complete and submit the application to the CWPU
- When authorized, submit a sample of your organizational stamp for student applications
- Submit a list of your organization's instructors to the CWPU within 90 days
- Request permit applications, fingerprint cards and envelopes from the CWPU by e-mail. Include your organization name and number, complete mailing address and the quantity needed
- Provide all instructors within your organization a copy of the current DPS standardized lesson plan
- Teaching classes, ensure your instructors utilize the current DPS standardized lesson plan and complete the required information on the students application form
- Retain all student records for at least five years. Update the CWPU with any changes to the organization or instructors
Authorization process:
The organization will receive a form letter providing the organization and training program numbers. Organization and training program authorization letters are very important documents and should be stored in a safe and secure place.
Once authorized, the organization must submit in writing (within 90 days) a list of its instructors. All instructors must be authorized by the CWPU and have valid instructor numbers, see instructions on becoming an instructor.
Organizations must submit a copy of the stamp or seal they intend to affix to their students applications. The stamp or seal must be somewhat unique and no larger than 2"x2".
Note: Failure to comply with either of the above requirements will result in the suspension of the organization.
Organizations must notify the CWPU of changes of address, phone numbers and/or status of instructors, in writing within 10 days, of the change. Organizations who fail to do so will be suspended.
Once a training organization is authorized, its status does not expire, nor does it require renewal. The organization remains valid until it:
- notifies the CWPU that it is no longer in business, or
- it is suspended or revoked by the CWPU
Instruction process:
Once the organization has received authorization and has fulfilled the above requirements, the organization may begin enrolling students for instruction. Organizations may use multiple instructors to teach a class, but there must be one "lead" instructor who is in charge. The lead instructor's number will be utilized on the back page of the student's application. Only authorized CCW firearms-safety instructors may teach CCW classes. Guest speakers may only be utilized with prior CWPU approval. To obtain authorization for a guest speaker submit a brief resume of the guest speaker and a memorandum addressing what the speaker will discuss, you may send the resume and memorandum to the CWPU via e-mail. You must receive written approval prior to the class.
Training time versus Administrative time. Administrative time includes, but is not limited to, fingerprinting students, reviewing applications, driving to a range and other related activities which are not training. Lesson plans are very specific as to what will be taught during training time. A 10 minute break taken after every 50 minutes of instruction is acceptable and does not require special scheduling or permission.
Significant deviations from the lesson plans are unacceptable and may result in the suspension of the instructor and/or organization. Gross deviations can result in criminal prosecution. Additionally, deviation may also result in the students having their applications rejected for insufficient training. We randomly conduct inquiries with students regarding the quality and quantity of training they receive.
Remember: All classes for AZ CCW permits must be taught within Arizona. Training for AZ CCW permits conducted outside of Arizona is invalid and will result in the suspension of your organization and/or instructors. Additionally, criminal prosecution may also be pursued. All applicants whose training is conducted outside the state of Arizona will be denied and/or suspended.
Records Retention:
For each student who receives training, the organization shall maintain the following written records for five years from the date of the student's completion of, or withdrawal from, the class. Do not send this information to DPS, you must retain this information for inspection upon request:
- Name and age of the individual at the time training commenced;
- Dates and number of hours of each training session;
- Physical location of each training session;
- Title and department-assigned number of the training program;
- Name and department assigned number of each instructor conducting the training session; and
- Whether the individual passed, failed, or withdrew from the program.
A form to record this information can be found in printable forms.
Upon request by the CWPU, an organization shall make its firearms-safety training records available to the Department for inspection.
