Searched for a CCW class, a CCW permit class, a CWL course, or a Florida concealed weapons license class? Different names, one license: Florida issues the Concealed Weapon License (CWL), and every certification below qualifies you for it.
Private training built around you
A Florida CWL class can satisfy the certification requirement. Tactical U adds the individual coaching that helps a student handle the firearm safely, correct weak fundamentals, and understand the next training step. Choose the focused certification path or spend more time building skill one-on-one.
Your class options
Focused Path
2-Hour Private CCW Certification
$400 + merchant fees
The focused path to your CWL certificate for shooters who already have solid fundamentals.
More Coached Time
4-Hour Private CCW Certification
$800 + merchant fees
The most thorough way to get your Florida CWL. Live fire, legal fundamentals, drawing, handling, and decision-making, one-on-one.
2-Hour Private Handgun Session
$400 + merchant fees
One instructor, one student. Fundamentals, safety, and live-fire correction for new or returning shooters.
4-Hour Private Handgun Session
$800 + merchant fees
The deep session: stance, grip, draw, malfunctions, and decision-making under structured pressure.
4-Hour Small Group (up to 4 shooters)
Call to discuss pricing
Train with your family or friends. Pricing based on group size and experience. Great for couples and first-time households.
Good to know
- Gear rental: available case by case at $35 if you do not have your own firearm and safety gear
- Ammunition: sold separately at market price
- Availability: private sessions are scheduled by appointment
Every CCW certification includes
- A copy of your certificate, plus everything you need to file with the state
- A written recap of the skills, drills, and language covered in your class
- Personal recommendations and next steps based on your session
Not sure which fits? Every session is customized to the individual, and it starts with a conversation.
Schedule Your Call With StephenWhat to expect in a Florida concealed carry class at Tactical U
A Tactical U concealed carry class is a private session with Stephen L. Cohen in Fort Lauderdale, either 2 hours or 4 hours. You learn Florida’s carry and use-of-force rules, practice safe handling and carry, and complete live fire with the instructor present. You leave with a signed training certificate you can use for your Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License application.
- Safety and law first. Safe handling, Florida’s carry responsibilities, and when Florida law allows the use of force.
- Carry skills. Safe carry practices and, in the 4-hour course, drawing from concealment and defensive decision-making.
- Live fire. Florida requires live fire with a firearm, in the physical presence of the instructor, for your training to qualify. Every Tactical U CCW session includes it.
- Your certificate. It lists your name, your instructor’s name, the instructor’s credentials and license number, as FDACS requires.
What to bring
- Government-issued photo ID
- Semi-auto pistol or revolver in good working order (pistol and gear rental is available case by case)
- Minimum two magazines
- 50 rounds of factory-loaded ammunition
- Eye and ear protection
- Closed-toe shoes
How to get your Florida concealed weapon license, step by step
- Check eligibility. FDACS currently accepts applicants 18 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have no disqualifying record.
- Complete a qualifying class that includes live fire with the instructor present, and keep your certificate.
- Apply with FDACS online, in person at a Division of Licensing regional office or an authorized tax collector’s office (they take your fingerprints and photo), or by mail.
- Pay the state fee: $97 for a new license ($55 license fee plus $42 fingerprint processing). Tax collector offices may add a convenience fee of up to $22. Renewal is $45. (Source: FDACS application instructions)
- Wait for the decision. FDACS has 90 days after a complete application to issue or deny the license. A Florida license is valid for 7 years.
Already have your CWL? Take the next step.
4-Hour Concealed Handgun Tactics and Safety
$400 + merchant fees
The class the certificate mills never mention: carrying a concealed handgun safely and effectively in the real world. For licensed carriers who want more than paperwork.
How it works
- Schedule a call. Book a short call on Stephen’s calendar. Tell him your experience level and what you want out of training. Every session is designed off that conversation.
- Get your session built for you. Stephen sets your date and builds the session around you. You train at Founders Shooting Club, a private indoor range in Fort Lauderdale. Exact directions come with your booking.
- Train and certify. Leave with real skills, and if you chose a CCW course, the certification you need for your Florida CWL application.
Who teaches you
Stephen L. Cohen has spent 32+ years in law enforcement at the senior operational level: SWAT, federal task force, dignitary protection. He is an NRA Law Enforcement certified firearms instructor and an approved training vendor for the Federal Reserve Police. Tactical U holds a 5.0 rating across 353 Google reviews.
Want to know who you will train with? Read Stephen’s full background, credentials, and books.
Meet Stephen L. CohenServing Fort Lauderdale and Broward County
Private instruction at a private indoor range, close to home.
Training is held at Founders Shooting Club on Powerline Road in Fort Lauderdale, about two miles from the state Division of Licensing office on Commercial Boulevard. It is a short drive from across Broward County, including Pompano Beach, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Lauderdale Lakes, Plantation, Sunrise, Coral Springs, Davie, and Hollywood. Your session is never rushed by a public range crowd. Students north of Broward can also review the West Palm Beach concealed carry class page.
Fort Lauderdale concealed carry FAQ
Do I still need a Florida CWL under permitless carry?
Since July 1, 2023, qualifying adults may carry a concealed firearm in Florida without a license, and eligibility and location restrictions still apply. A license can still be useful: it is a seven-year state credential, it exempts you from Florida’s mandatory waiting period when buying a firearm under Section 790.0655(2)(a), Florida Statutes, and some other states recognize it, subject to their current restrictions. It does not replace training or legal judgment.
I have never fired a gun. Can I start here?
Yes. First-time shooters are welcome in private sessions, and one-on-one instruction is the safest possible way to start. If you have never fired a handgun, call first to discuss whether a fundamentals session before certification makes sense for you.
Does this qualify me for a Florida CWL?
Each course includes live fire and a training certificate documenting firearm competency. FDACS decides whether the applicant meets all licensing requirements.
Where does training happen?
At Founders Shooting Club, a private indoor range at 5320 Powerline Rd, Suite 120, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. You get exact directions when your session is booked.
What do I need to bring?
A government-issued photo ID, a semi-auto pistol or revolver in good working order with at least two magazines, 50 rounds of factory-loaded ammunition, eye and ear protection, and closed-toe shoes. Firearm and gear rental is available case by case at $35, and ammunition is sold at market price.
Does my Florida CWL work in other states?
Florida licenses are recognized by some states, but rules and restrictions vary. Check FDACS’s current reciprocity list and the destination state’s authorities before traveling.
Can I take this class if I am not a Florida resident?
FDACS accepts applications from qualified U.S. residents. Reciprocity treatment may differ for nonresident Florida license holders, so check FDACS and destination-state rules. Call (954) 637-2115 to discuss the training before booking.
Can my spouse or friends train with me?
Yes. Small group sessions run up to 4 shooters, priced by group size and experience. Schedule a call to set one up.
How fast can I get certified?
Private sessions are scheduled by appointment, and the certification session itself takes 2 to 4 hours depending on the course you choose. Your certificate is issued when you complete it.
Contact Tactical U
Tell us what you are trying to train for.
Send Stephen a question or book a short call, and he will help you pick the right Florida CWL or handgun training path.