Q. Why should I get the Virginia concealed firearms permit?

A. Where do I begin! Well… first off, you can take the training online without having to sit in a classroom for hours. Virginia has reciprocity with dozens of states so if you live in a place like Texas that requires 10 hours of classroom training, you can get this permit instead, since Texas and Virginia have reciprocity. Also, it’s always a good idea to have multiple permits. You never know when one is going to expire, or you might lose one, or any number of things. In other words, even if you have your home states permit, the Virginia permit is an excellent form of insurance for both residents and non-residents, which is why Fox News ran an article with the headline:

“Virginia’s online classes make it easy for out-of-state gun owners to get permits”

Q. After taking the Ultimate Concealed Carry Experience how do I apply for my Virginia permit?

A. Once you watch the course and pass the test I will email you a certificate of completion. If you live in Virginia, you just mail it in to your local circuit court along with the application. If you’re an out of state resident, you just download the application and fill it out and then mail in the necessary documents to the state of Virginia. (I give you the link to the application and links to everything you need to apply for your permit.)

Q. What states does Virginia have reciprocity with?

A. As of this writing, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. But remember, reciprocity can change so make sure and double-check that your state honors Virginia’s permit.

Q. What happens if I lose my Internet connection while I’m watching the Ultimate Concealed Carry Experience?

A. If you lose your Internet connection, you simply log back into the website and continue watching the video. Also, you can watch the video at your convenience so you don’t have to watch it all at once if you don’t want to. The fact is, you have lifetime access to the training video so you can watch it whenever you wish.

Q. What if I’m a total beginner?

A. No problem at all. It truly doesn’t matter if you’ve never touched a gun in your life. The training is presented in a laid back and non-intimidating manner. In fact, here’s what one fellow said who’d never held a handgun in his life:

“Before I took a class at the Concealed Carry Academy, my experience with guns was limited. I knew only how to use the rifles and shotguns that belonged to my father, and had never even seen a handgun. But Jason Hanson taught the class in a way that was clear, yet went into every important detail, from legal issues, to posture and grip, to holsters, to even discussing technical aspects of handguns, in a way that is approachable to a first-timer. If you could only take one class, or have been hesitating to take the first step, the Concealed Carry Academy is the best place to go.”
~ Rick Leiner, Fairfax, VA

Q. How hard is the quiz?

A. If you watch the video, it’s easy. It consists of 20 questions and you need to get 15 out of 20 correct in order to pass. All of the answers are in the video so you can go back and watch a specific section if you need to. If you don’t pass the first time, you can take it again. 

Q. How long will the quiz take?

A. It takes about 7 to 10 minutes, but of course, everyone will go at a different pace.

Q. How do I get my certificate that shows I have completed this training?

A. Once you watch the video and pass the quiz I will email you a PDF copy of your certificate for Virginia. All you have to do is print it out and mail it in with your application. If for some reason you don’t have a printer at the time you watch the video, you can always log back into the site and print off the certificate later.

Q. Is any live firing required to get this permit?

A. No, the state of Virginia does not require you to fire a handgun to get the permit. However, I do recommend you take a defensive pistol course to improve your skills. For those who are looking for the complete training package you can visit www.SpyWeek.com.

Q. After I take the Ultimate Concealed Carry Experience and mail in my application, how long until I get my concealed carry permit?

A. The turnaround time for the state of Virginia varies greatly and can be anywhere from 3 to 6 months but I know of people who’ve gotten it in 45 days.

Q. How long is my permit good for?

A. The Virginia permit is good for 5 years before you have to renew it.

Q. Both residents and non-residents of Virginia can get this permit?

A. Yes. Residents of Virginia have their permit issued by their local circuit court. Non-residents have their permit issued by the Virginia State Police.

Q. Does Virginia require fingerprinting for its application? If so, who does the fingerprinting?

A. Yes, Virginia requires fingerprints for the application. If you request an application packet from Virginia they send you the fingerprint cards in the packet along with the application. Or, if you download the application online, you just use the fingerprint cards your local police department gives you, which is what most people do. All you have to do is go to a police station near your house and they will do it for you. For example, in Utah (where we’re based out of) the police station has certain days and hours they do fingerprinting and they charge $5 for the service.

Q. What is the cost of the Virginia permit?

A. The Virginia resident permit is $50 and the permit is good for 5 years. The Virginia non-resident permit is $100 for the 5 years. These fees go directly to the state of Virginia and you pay them when you send in the application.

Q. What if I have a question you haven’t answered here?

A. You can email us by filling out the contact form here. Or you can call (435) 572-4432.