18-Hour NYS Concealed Carry Course NYC: Frequently Asked Questions

The New York State minimum training standard includes 16 hours of in-person classroom instruction and 2 hours of live-fire training. Topics include firearm safety, safe storage, New York law, situational awareness, conflict de-escalation, marksmanship, range safety and other required subjects.

BVAC's 18-Hour NYS Concealed Carry Course is structured around the New York State minimum training standards, including classroom instruction, written proficiency testing, live-fire training and live-fire proficiency assessment.

The complete program consists of 16 hours of in-person classroom instruction and 2 hours of live-fire training.

No. The required training is conducted in person. BVAC conducts the classroom portion at our dedicated professional training facility in Bayside, Queens.

Yes. BVAC welcomes eligible applicants from Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island, as well as Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County and other New York jurisdictions.

Applicants may complete required firearm-safety training as part of the licensing process, subject to the current instructions of the licensing authority handling their application. Because procedures can change, applicants should verify current requirements.

No. Successful course completion documents that the training requirement was completed. It does not guarantee that a licensing authority will approve, issue or renew a firearm license.

No. BVAC is a training organization. Firearm licenses and permits are issued by the appropriate governmental licensing authority.

No previous firearm experience is required for otherwise eligible students. The course begins with core firearm-safety principles and progresses through the required classroom and live-fire components.

No. You do not need to own a firearm to register for BVAC's 18-Hour NYS Concealed Carry Course.

The course is intended for people who are required to complete New York concealed-carry firearm-safety training and eligible applicants seeking structured, professional instruction.

Do not bring a firearm to the BVAC classroom unless you have been specifically instructed to do so. Students receive course-specific instructions concerning the live-fire portion.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, your registration information and any materials specifically requested in your confirmation or pre-course instructions.

Training equipment used during the instructional portions is provided or coordinated as appropriate for the scheduled class. Live-fire equipment instructions are provided for the specific course date.

Topics include firearm safety and handling, safe storage, transportation considerations, New York firearm law, situational awareness, conflict avoidance and de-escalation, marksmanship, range safety and other subjects required by the New York State minimum standards.

Yes. Students must demonstrate proficiency on a written examination covering the required curriculum. New York's minimum standard requires a score of at least 80%.

Course-completion documentation cannot be issued until required proficiency standards have been satisfied. Your instructor will explain the procedure for the scheduled class.

Yes. New York's minimum standard requires 2 hours of live-fire training conducted by a duly authorized instructor, followed by a live-fire proficiency assessment.

The live-fire component includes required range-safety and firearm-handling skills, including safe loading and unloading, firearm condition checks, target acquisition and safe firearm operation. Your instructor will explain the exact range procedures.

Yes. Students must successfully demonstrate the required live-fire proficiency before course-completion documentation can be issued.

Students who successfully complete the required classroom instruction, written proficiency examination, live-fire training and live-fire proficiency assessment receive course-completion documentation for use in the licensing process.

No. It documents successful completion of training. It is not a firearm license and does not itself authorize concealed carry.

Yes. Keep your original documentation in a safe place and follow the submission and record-retention instructions of your licensing authority.

Visit the BVAC Training Calendar or the NRA & CCW Training page, select an available date and follow the registration instructions.

Current pricing is shown on each individual event page. Always rely on the specific scheduled event because pricing, deposits and availability may change.

Review the cancellation and transfer terms shown during registration. Course-specific terms control.

Classroom instruction is held at BVAC Rescue Response Training Center, 214-29 42nd Avenue, Bayside, New York 11361.

Yes. BVAC is within walking distance of the Bayside Long Island Rail Road station on the Port Washington Branch and is also accessible by local bus service.

Use legal street parking or the Bayside Municipal Parking Field. Do not park in the private lot next to BVAC unless specifically authorized.

No. The training center is located on the second floor and does not have an elevator.