Concealed Carry Validation course

Concealed Carry Validation is a 2-hour evaluation for individuals who want to know if they have the skill and ability needed to realistically defend themselves and others. This is not an instructional course, but a validation or testing course that will either confirm a person is on the right track with their training or highlight areas for improvement. The goal is for participants to test their marksmanship, weapons handling, and decision-making ability with live fire in a realistic virtual setting.

Attendees will have live-fire tasks, such as point shooting, reloading their gun, and getting hits on target in a specified time frame. This will be followed by live-fire “shoot/no-shoot” decisions and engagements using turning targets. Participants will then face several video simulations to test their decision-making when it comes to involvement, deterrence, and engagement. Lastly, the Concealed Carry Validation course will end with a 10-question quiz on the use of force and the law.

If you pass all the validation testing stages, you will receive a certificate affirming that you have demonstrated the ability to appropriately defend yourself or others in a reality-based situation at a basic level. This means your capability is measured starting with an advantage over the bad guy. If you fail any portion of the test, the validation is complete for you and you will not be allowed to continue to other portions of the test and will not be allowed to re-test for two weeks. The instructor will be able to recommend additional training courses to help develop your skills.

Live-Fire Fundamentals

This stage evaluates basic marksmanship and manipulations from the low ready under a meaningful time constraint at varying distances. You must pass 9 out of the 10 live-fire tests, which focus on marksmanship, manipulations, and immediate threat decision-making.

  • You must be able to engage a “Q” size target with 3 rounds, keeping the majority of the rounds center mass at 3-5 yards in 2 seconds, 5-10 yards in 4 seconds, and 11-17 yards in 6 seconds.
  • Must be able to perform immediate action firing two rounds in 6 seconds, remedial action firing 2 rounds in 10 seconds, and a reload (fire 1– reload – fire 1) in 8 seconds hitting a “Q” size target at 7-10 yards with the majority of the rounds center mass.

Live-Fire immediate Threat Decision Making

This stage evaluates simple decision-making, marksmanship, and tactics under time constraints. Scenarios will vary in distance, presence of third parties, number of threats, and presence of police. Tactics will require no more than scanning for a threat, following through after engaging, and minimal movement to make a clear shot.

  • Participants will face three different immediate threat recognition scenarios with threat/no-threat targets. You must engage all present threat targets firing a minimum of two rounds and hitting with the majority of rounds center mass within 5 seconds per threat.

Video Scenarios

Participants must respond effectively to three scenarios and legally articulate any use of force, threat, or display of a firearm. Instructors will decide the final go/no-go score based on our S.M.A.A.R.T.S. model (Systematic, Mindset, Awareness, Avoidance, Readiness, Tactics, Skill). The required responses will vary and may require no action. You must pass 2/3 of these events.

Written Test

The final evaluation is a 10-question multiple-choice test concerning basic knowledge of the use of force law and general self-defense principles that should be covered in any Concealed Handgun Permit course. Students must score 90% or higher to pass.

This is an evaluation, not a training course.

  • Each person must have their own handgun and quality holster
  • Eye and ear protection appropriate for the range
  • 3 magazines, 50 rounds of factory ammunition
  • Firearms and range equipment is available for rental or purchase
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