Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons Applications

New / Renewal Applications & Required Training

Training for New Permit Application, Iowa Code 724.9

Training for a new permit application can have occurred at any time prior to the application. For example, if an applicant received handgun training 20 years ago, or was in military service 35 years ago, that training could be applied to a new permit application. The new code lists five options:

• Completion of a law enforcement agency firearms training course that qualifies a peace officer to carry a firearm in the normal course of the peace officer's duties
• Completion of any handgun safety training course available to the general public offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, college, private or public institution or organization, or firearms training school, utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or certain other firearms training certifying bodies (such as the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy)
• Completion of any handgun safety training course offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of a law enforcement or security enforcement agency approved by the Iowa Department of Public Safety
• Completion of any NRA handgun safety training course
• Completion of small-arms training while serving with the armed forces of the United States as evidenced by any of the following:
  • For personnel released or retired from active duty, possession of an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions (this can also be shown with a Form DD-214)
  • For personnel on active duty or serving in one of the national guard or reserve components of the armed forces of the United States, possession of a certificate of completion of basic training with a service record of successful completion of small-arms training and qualification

Training for Renewal Permit Application, Iowa Code 724.11(1)

Training for a renewal permit application must occur within the 12 months prior to the expiration of a currently held permit. Therefore, the training required for permit renewal must have occurred within the 12 months prior to the expiration date of the currently held permit.

Since the renewal application must be filed at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the current permit, the effective training period is no greater than 11 months. Training is at the option of the applicant and can either be one of the five methods listed above for a new permit application, or may be qualifying on a firing range under the supervision of an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association or certain other firearms training certifying bodies (such as the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy).

The important difference here is that training for a renewal application must have occurred within the 12 months prior to the expiration of the currently held permit. This includes the use of the Form DD-214 which must show the acceptable military discharge within the 12 months prior to the expiration of the currently held permit. All renewal applications require a training component; there are no exceptions (no grandfather clause in the statute).