CCW Training Requirements

Act 35 requires applicants to provide proof of firearms safety training. Any one of the below listed documents will be accepted as proof of meeting the law’s training requirement:

1. The hunter education program established under s. 29.591 or a substantially similar program that is established by another state, country, or province and that is recognized by the department of natural resources. (Note: you can obtain a duplicate Wisconsin hunter education certificate instantly online by ordering a certificate replacement from the DNR)

2. An unrevoked concealed carry license from another state or jurisdiction. You must enclose the affirmation form DJ-LE-289 verifying it is not revoked for cause. The license may be current or expired.

3. Proof of military, law enforcement, or security firearms training.

• Former military: DD214 or DD256 form showing either “honorable” or “general under honorable conditions” discharge or release from the US military. Remember to include copy 4 of the DD214.
• Active military: Certificate of completion of basic training with service record of successful completion of small arms training.
• Law enforcement: Certification letter from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board or Law Enforcement Standards Board Transcript of Recruit Course Completion from Wisconsin or another state.
• Security: Department of Safety and Professional Services Firearms Certification of Proficiency or similar course in another state.

4. Department of Justice Firearm Safety Course certificate (issued by DOJ-certified instructors).

5. Firearms safety or training certificate from a course taught by a national or state organization that certifies firearms instructors, or by an instructor certified by a national or state organization that certifies firearms instructors, or to the public by a law enforcement agency. If you participate in one of these courses, attach a copy of the certificate or affidavit from that course containing the following information:

1. Applicant’s name
2. Name of the firearms safety or training course.
3. Date on which the applicant completed the firearms safety or training course
4. The name of the instructor who taught the firearms safety or training course and the name of the agency or organization that certified the instructor.

**Any one of the proof of training documents listed in #1-#5 are sufficient. For example, a person who submits a DNR hunter education certificate is not required to submit documentation of #2-#5.

Model Certificate
To make compliance with option 5 as easy to satisfy as possible, a model certificate is available that meets all of these requirements. Use of this model certificate is not required—any certificate that contains all the information specified in 5a through 5d is acceptable. However, use of the DOJ model certificate will ensure the certificate meets administrative requirements.

If you have already attended training and your certificate is missing some of the information, you can do any of the following:

• Request that your instructor complete the model certificate and send it to you via email or mail.
• Contact your instructor or the organization, obtain the missing information (phone number, etc.), and attach it to your certificate.
• Contact your instructor and obtain an additional document or email with the missing information to include with your certificate.

Why does the DOJ Need This Information?
Sec. 175.60(17)(c) Wis. Stats. prescribes a criminal penalty for an instructor who intentionally submits false documentation indicating that an individual has met the training requirements.