A Florida concealed carry class is not a lecture followed by a multiple-choice test. In our private class you cover the law, rehearse safe handling with no ammunition, then qualify with live fire, and you leave with a certificate and a plan for applying to the state. Here is what happens, in order.
The short answer: what happens in a Florida concealed carry class
- A short scheduled call before you book, so the class fits your experience.
- A legal overview: where you can carry, where you cannot, and how use of force is judged.
- Dry-fire rehearsal of the fundamentals, with no ammunition present.
- Live-fire qualification that meets the state’s training requirement.
- Your certificate by email, with a follow-up packet on how to apply.
- Your application to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
The rest of this guide walks through each step as it happens in our concealed carry class in Fort Lauderdale.
Before the class: the call and what to bring
Every Tactical U session starts with a short scheduled call with Stephen L. Cohen. It takes a few minutes, and it is how we decide whether the 2-hour or the 4-hour class suits you.
For the 2-hour class, bring a government-issued photo ID, your own handgun (a semi-automatic or a revolver with a speed loader) and about 50 rounds of ammunition, or arrange a rental ahead of time. Wear closed-toe shoes and no tank tops, and bring eye and ear protection (it is provided if you rent). The full list, with the reasons, is in What to Bring to Your Florida Concealed Carry Class.
The legal overview
The class begins with Florida’s concealed weapon license (CWL) laws. We cover where you can carry and where you cannot, how use of force is interpreted under the law, and how reciprocity works when you travel to other states.
Two clarifications matter here. Florida has allowed eligible adults to carry concealed without a license since July 2023, so the license is optional. What it adds, and what it does not, is explained in our guide to the Florida concealed carry permit. And because the age rules for the license changed in 2026, read our guide to carrying under 21 before you apply.
Dry-fire rehearsal and fundamentals
Before any live ammunition comes out, you rehearse safety protocols and marksmanship fundamentals with no ammunition present: stance, grip, sight alignment and sight picture, breathing, trigger control and follow-through. Dry repetitions let you settle in and let the instructor correct problems while the stakes are low.
Live-fire qualification
The live-fire session is where you qualify. It satisfies the state’s requirement that the instructor personally observe you safely handle and fire a firearm with live ammunition (Florida Statutes, section 790.06). In our 2-hour class all live fire is done from the low-ready position. It is not a holster course, which keeps the focus on safe handling and fundamentals. The 4-hour class adds a rigid outside-the-waistband holster, a safe draw and re-holstering, and more live-fire skill work.
After the class: your certificate and how to apply
When you finish, you receive a digital certificate by email, plus a follow-up packet that explains how to apply for your license, reviews the laws, covers what to consider about carry insurance, and suggests what to train next. The certificate documents your training. It is not the license.
The license comes from FDACS. According to the state, you can apply online, in person at an FDACS regional office or tax collector office, or by mail. You will need your photo ID, proof of firearm proficiency (your certificate), the application fee and fingerprints, and FDACS states that it processes a complete application within 90 days of receiving it. Check the current steps on the FDACS application page, and see our first steps to concealed carry in Florida for the checklist.
2-hour or 4-hour: which one fits?
The 2-hour class is the fastest lawful route to the license for someone who already handles a pistol safely. The 4-hour class is a better fit if you are newer to shooting or want to carry with more confidence, because the extra two hours add the holster work and deeper live-fire practice.
Florida Concealed Carry Class FAQ
Do I need a class to carry concealed in Florida?
Not to carry as an eligible adult, since permitless carry began in July 2023. You need the training to apply for the license.
Will I have the license when the class ends?
No. You leave with the certificate and the next steps. FDACS issues the license after you apply.
Can a first-time shooter take the class?
Yes. Say so on the scheduling call and we will place you in the right class.
How long is a Florida concealed carry class in Fort Lauderdale?
Tactical U runs a 2-hour class and a 4-hour class. The 2-hour class suits someone who already handles a pistol safely. The 4-hour class adds holster work and deeper live-fire practice.
What happens in the live-fire part of the class?
You qualify with live ammunition while the instructor personally observes you safely handle and fire a firearm, as Florida Statute 790.06 requires. In the 2-hour class all live fire is from the low-ready position. It is not a holster course.
What do I get when the class ends?
A digital certificate by email and a follow-up packet on how to apply. The certificate documents your training. It is not the license. FDACS issues the license and states that it processes a complete application within 90 days of receiving it.
Confirm current availability, requirements and total cost before booking. Training information is educational; individual legal eligibility is a separate question.