State Police Licensing Division

IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE/PROCESS CHANGES

Effective 1/1/2025, all Professional Licensing applications (including Security Guard, Private Detective, Security System Technician, Special Police, Railroad Police, Security Guard Agency, Security Guard Employer, Private Detective Agency, Dual Agency, Security Systems Agency and Bullet Proof Body Armor) and application fees shall be submitted electronically in the Licensing Portal. Additional information, issued Advisories, training videos and a registration link for virtual training can be found on the Security Guard page at the following link: Security Guard

For additional information you may contact the Professional Licensing Unit at msp.professionallicensing@maryland.gov.

The Maryland State Police Licensing Division administers the provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland and COMAR related to: the licensing and registration of firearms; handgun permits; security guards and agencies and other licensing functions as defined by statute or regulation.

Address	1111 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208
Hours of Operation	8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday (Closed On All State Holidays)
Lobby Hours	8:00 AM - 4:00 PM or By Appointment (Mail Drop Available 24/7)
Main Number	410-653-4500
Division Commander	Captain Andrew Rossignol
Assistant Division Commander	Lieutenant Jonathan Hill

Click below for the:
Application to Purchase a Regulated Firearm
(Click here for Firearm Purchase application instructions)
Application for Handgun Wear & Carry Permit
(Click here for Handgun W&C Permit application instructions)
Machine Gun Registration
Regulated Firearms Dealer's License
Professional Licenses and Professional Agency Licenses
Click below for the:
Handgun Qualification License (HQL) Application
(Click here for HQL application instructions)
LEOSA
(Click here for LEOSA application instructions)
Qualified Handgun Instructor
(Click here for QHI application instructions)
Intercept Devices & K9 (LE Only)
(Click here for Intercept Device instructions)
Licensing Portal

Click below for the: Application to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (Click here for Firearm Purchase application instructions) Application for Handgun Wear & Carry Permit (Click here for Handgun W&C Permit application instructions) Machine Gun Registration Regulated Firearms Dealer's License Professional Licenses and Professional Agency Licenses	Click below for the: Handgun Qualification License (HQL) Application (Click here for HQL application instructions) LEOSA (Click here for LEOSA application instructions) Qualified Handgun Instructor (Click here for QHI application instructions) Intercept Devices & K9 (LE Only) (Click here for Intercept Device instructions)
Licensing Portal

Or, click one of the links below to proceed to your area of interest.

Maryland General Assembly Joint Chairman's Report January 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025

(Provides information on Licensing Division applications received and processing days needed for an application to receive a final disposition)

	FIREARM PURCHASE, CARRY, OR REGISTER Purchase a Regulated Firearm Handgun Qualification License (HQL) Wear and Carry Handgun Permit Firearms Collectors Firearms Dealers Firearms Search Machine Gun Registration New Maryland Resident Voluntary Registration NICS for Pawn / Redemption Untraceable Firearms
	PROFESSIONAL LICENSES Security Guard Security Systems Private Detective Railroad Police Special Police Bullet Proof Body Armor
	LAW ENFORCEMENT LEOSA K-9 Intercept Devices
	FIREARM TRAINING Firearms Safety Training Handgun Qualification License (HQL) Training Wear and Carry Permit Training Find A Qualified Instructor Qualified Handgun Instructor Program

	Join our Mailing List to receive periodic updates from the Maryland State Police regarding changes to licenses, permits, statutory and regulatory changes, and system updates.

Answer

How do instructors get a copy of the shooting course?

A pdf copy of the shooting course can be found in the documents section below entitled " Live Fire Courses".

11/5/2015 12:30 PM

5/5/2017 10:20 AM

How will instructors notify the Maryland State Police that they have certified a student?

In regards to the Hangun Qualification License, after an applicant has completed the 4 hour course, instructors will log into their account and verify each applicant that they have instructed. In regards to the Wear and Carry Permit, after an applicant has completed either the 16 hour initial course or the 8 hour renewal course, instructors will complete the Maryland State Police Certified Qualification Score Sheet.

11/5/2015 12:29 PM

10/12/2018 10:09 AM

How do instructors get the course information?

Instructors will be responsible for the specific course and will attest/certify that they instructed the minimum criteria required in SB281.

11/5/2015 12:29 PM

If I'm not certified by the MD Police and Correctional Training Commissions or don't have a valid certification issued by a nationally recognized firearms organization, how can I be approved to instruct HQL applicants and Handgun Permit applicants

A Qualified Handgun Instructor License should be completed online through MyLicense and submitted. The application should include:

The applicant’s name, address, driver’s license or photographic identification soundex number, Social Security number, place and date of birth, height, weight, race, sex, eye and hair color, occupation, and home and work telephone numbers;
Proof of the applicant’s formal training in the care, safety, and use of handguns, including a minimum qualification score of 80 percent on a practical police course; and
Proof of the applicant’s minimum of 1 year of experience in instruction in the care, safety, and use of handguns.
Upon receipt of a properly completed application, the Secretary shall issue a Qualified Handgun Instructor License to the applicant within a reasonable time.
A Qualified Handgun Instructor License expires 4 years from the date of issuance.

11/5/2015 12:28 PM

10/12/2018 10:03 AM

If I am certified by the MD Police and Correctional Training Commissions or don't have a valid certification issued by a nationally recognized firearms organization, how can I be approved to instruct HQL applicants and Handgun Wear and Carry applicants.

A Qualified Handgun Instructor Certificate should be completed online through MyLicense and submitted. The application should include:

The applicant’s name, address, driver’s license or photographic identification soundex number, Social Security number, place and date of birth, height, weight, race, sex, eye and hair color, occupation, and home and work telephone numbers;
A valid copy of the applicants Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission certificate; or a copy of a valid instructor certification card issued by a nationally recognized firearms organization.
A Qualified Handgun Instructor Certificate uses the expiration date that is supplied on the supporting documentation that is provided by the applicant for this process. i.e. a Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission Certified Instructor whose credentials would expire on 12/31/2015 would have their Qualified Handgun Instructor Certificate expire on 12/31/2015.

11/5/2015 12:28 PM

10/16/2018 1:17 PM

When does the Qualified Handgun Instructor License expire?

The Qualified Handgun Instructor License is valid for 4 years from the date of issuance.

11/5/2015 12:29 PM

Maryland Department of State Police

Licensing Division

State Police Licensing Division

IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE/PROCESS CHANGES

For additional information you may contact the Professional Licensing Unit at msp.professionallicensing@maryland.gov.

Additional Qualified Handgun Instructor FAQs

​​Licensing Division

State Police Licensing Division

​​​​​​​IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE/PROCESS​ CHANGES​​

​ For additional information you may contact the Professional Licensing Unit at msp.professionallicensing@maryland.gov.

Additional Qualified Handgun Instructor FAQs

Licensing Division

IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE/PROCESS CHANGES

For additional information you may contact the Professional Licensing Unit at msp.professionallicensing@maryland.gov.