Inside Our 16-Hour DC/MD/WV Concealed Carry Class

If you live, work, or travel near the West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. borders, you already know that carrying a concealed handgun legally means keeping track of more than one set of rules. At Tri-State Training, LLC in Martinsburg, West Virginia, I teach a class built to handle that for you: our 16-hour DC/MD/WV concealed carry class.

Yes, It’s 16 Hours, and It Meets the Requirements

Sixteen hours is a real commitment, and there is a reason for it. It lines up with what the law asks for:

Maryland: A first-time Wear and Carry Permit applicant needs at least 16 hours of Maryland State Police-approved firearms safety training from a Qualified Handgun Instructor, including a live-fire qualification with a minimum score of 70% accuracy.
Washington, D.C.: The Metropolitan Police Department requires at least 16 hours of training from an MPD-certified instructor, plus range training that includes a 50-round qualification course.
West Virginia: A West Virginia concealed handgun license requires proof of handgun safety training that includes live fire.

Our class is built to satisfy all three, so you complete one course instead of piecing together several.

What You’ll Learn

The curriculum follows the topics the Maryland and D.C. requirements call for, including:

Firearm safety and safe handling
Marksmanship fundamentals and live-fire qualification
Care, cleaning, loading, unloading, and safe storage
Situational awareness and conflict management
Use of deadly force and self-defense law
Selecting a pistol and ammunition for defensive use
Maryland, D.C., West Virginia, and federal firearms laws

Students range from first-time shooters to experienced gun owners, and the class is designed to be approachable for both.

Getting a Permit Is More Accessible Than Ever

For years, Maryland and D.C. made applicants prove a “good reason” to carry. That is no longer the case. D.C. stopped requiring it after the 2017 federal appeals court decision in Wrenn v. District of Columbia, and Maryland stopped enforcing its “good and substantial reason” requirement after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. If you meet the eligibility, training, and background requirements, you are no longer asked to justify why you want to carry.

The process still has steps. Maryland applicants complete fingerprinting and a background investigation, and the Maryland State Police reports that it will render a decision within 90 days of a complete application. D.C. applicants must register the handgun they intend to carry and complete an in-person interview with MPD.

Who This Class Is For

Maryland and D.C. residents applying for a first-time permit
West Virginians who want a concealed handgun license, and Tri-State area commuters who cross state lines
Anyone who wants a clear understanding of the laws before they carry

West Virginia allows most eligible adults 21 and older to carry concealed without a license, but many people still choose a West Virginia license through their county sheriff for the added recognition it can provide in other states. Always confirm reciprocity for any state you plan to carry in.

Already have a permit? We also offer renewal and refresher courses. Just ask.

Winter scheduling: From December 2026 through February 28, 2027, training sessions are by appointment only, so call or email to reserve your dates.

Ready to Get Started?

Choose your next step:

View Training Dates

Call 301.988.0809

Prefer to talk it through? Call 301.988.0809, email tristatetrainer@gmail.com, or visit tristatetraining.org.

Official Resources

This post is general information, not legal advice. Firearm laws change, so confirm current requirements with the agencies above before you apply.