Maryland   Department of State Police

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Training Information

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Qualified Handgun Instructor

​Qualified Handgun Instructors are responsible for qualifying students for Handgun Qualification Licenses and Handgun Carry Permits. Instructors whose courses fail to meet minimum standards and who improperly certify applicants shall have their Qualified Handgun Instructor status revoked.

What Is It

A Qualified Handgun Instructor is defined as:

Certified Qualified Handgun Instructor (QHIC)- Is a person whom the Maryland State Police has confirmed as being certified by either the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions or a nationally recognized firearms organization as a firearm instructor. A Certified Qualified Handgun Instructor may instruct Handgun Qualification License applicants and Handgun Wear and Carry Permit applicants.

Licensed Qualified Handgun Instructor (QHIL)- Is a person license by the Maryland State Police as a firearm instructor who may instruct Handgun Qualification License applicants and Handgun Wear and Carry Permit applicants.

A list of Qualified Handgun Instructors is available online here.

Who Needs It

Any individual who wishes to instruct and certify an applicant for either the following, must be a Qualified Handgun Instructor:

  1. A Maryland Handgun Qualification License
  2. A Maryland Wear and Carry Permit


How To Get It

To apply for Qualified Handgun Instructors registration or certification submit an application through MyLicense (Here)

How To Renew A QHIL or QHIC

Qualified Handgun Instructors can renew a license by following these steps:
1. Log into their HQL Account;
2. Click on Renew License located on the left hand side of the screen;
3. Click on the word “Continue”;
4. Complete the application along with attaching the document; and
5. Submit the renewal.

Inspection and Compliance Unit Questions

​Email: msp.inspectioncompliance@maryland.gov​

​Additional Qualified Handgun Instructor FAQs

Note:  If you are experiencing issues viewing any of the documents on our website please Click Here​.

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".

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. 

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.​

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:

  1. 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;
  2. 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
  3. Proof of the applicant’s minimum of 1 year of experience in instruction in the care, safety, and use of handguns.
  4. Upon receipt of a properly completed application, the Secretary shall issue a Qualified Handgun Instructor License to the applicant within a reasonable time.
  5. A Qualified Handgun Instructor License expires 4 years from the date of issuance.​

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:

  1. 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;
  2. 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.
  3. 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.​

When does the Qualified Handgun Instructor License expire?

 

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

Documents​

Type
  
Name
  
Description
  
File Size
  
Firearms Training Course Instructional Material.pdfFirearms Training Course Instructional MaterialUpdated 9/8/2023 - Contains the curriculum of instruction of topics required for firearms training classroom instruction in compliance with House Bill 824 amending the firearm safety classroom requirements in 5-306 of the Public Safety Article.2422 KB
LD-HPU-20-002 (Advisory) MSP Certified Qualification Score Sheet.pdfLD-HPU-20-002 (Advisory) MSP Certified Qualification Score SheetAdvisory referencing student utilizing the appropriate system to process their applications.91 KB
LD-HQL-13-001 (Advisory) Instructor Advisory FSA2013.pdfLD-HQL-13-001 (Advisory) Instructor Advisory FSA2013Maryland State Police Licensing Division Advisory: Maryland State Police Qualified Handgun Instructor's Advisory Firearms Safety Act 201366 KB
LD-ICU-23-001 (Advisory) TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION.pdfLD-ICU-23-001 (Advisory) TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONAdvisory announcing a curriculum of instruction for the topics required for classroom instruction in compliance with House Bill 824 (2023).137 KB
Live Fire Courses.doc.pdfLive Fire Courses.docInformation on live fire courses.88 KB
Qualification Sheet.pdfQualification SheetMaryland State Police Certified Qualification Score Sheet185 KB