Training Requirements

Learn what Massachusetts law says about the training requirements that must be met to apply for a gun license.

Approved training course

Completion of a basic firearms safety course is required to apply for both a Firearms Identification Card (FID) and a License to Carry (LTC). For the FID, a hunters education course is a valid substitute.

Basic firearms safety courses are taught by independent instructors who have been approved to teach the course by the Colonel of the State Police. BFS instructors must teach from one of various specific course curriculums approved by the MA State Police.

Course requirements

Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 introduced significant changes to the training curriculum requirements, the most notable change being mandatory live fire training. The new curriculum went into effect on April 2, 2026. The following topics are now required for all basic firearms safety courses:

• The safe use, handling and storage of firearms
• Methods for securing and childproofing firearms
• The applicable laws relating to the possession, transportation and storage of firearms
• Knowledge of operation, potential dangers and basic competency in the ownership and use of firearms
• Injury and suicide prevention
• Laws relating to the use of force
• Disengagement tactics
• A written examination
• Live firearms training

In order to pass a basic firearms safety course and receive a certificate, a student will have to:

• Demonstrate competency in the use of firearms through class participation
• Pass a written examination
• Participate in live firearms training

Live firearms training

Although the law requiring live firearms training for BFS courses is now in effect, there is confusion on whether live firearms training is actually required at this time and how it should be conducted. The MA State Police has not yet formalized the live firearms training requirements, and the Firearm Control Advisory Board (FCAB) has stated that the live firearms training requirement would not be enforced until the requirements have been established. You can read more about this on GOAL's website here.

What about older certificates?

On March 26, 2026 the MA State Police sent notice to instructors about how BFS certificates issued prior to April 2, 2026 will be handled.

According to the state police: "Any student who completed a safety training course prior to April 2nd may submit their certificate with their application at any time. These certificates will not be denied. However, upon renewal, applicants will be required to complete a supplemental online training developed and provided by the Department in order to satisfy the new BFS course training requirements (i.e. disengagement and conflict avoidance tactics, suicide prevention, and use of force laws)."

Please note that according to the state police, anyone who applied for a license by August 1, 2024 does not need to complete the above mentioned supplemental material when renewing their license. The only persons that need to complete the supplemental material upon renewal are those that applied for a license after Agusust 1, 2024 and used certificates that were issued before April 2, 2026.

Exemptions

The following people do not need to take a course to apply for a gun license:

• Active military members
• Law enforcement with authorization and acting within the scope of their duties
• State officers, agents, or employees with authorization and acting within the scope of their duties

Citations

FAQ

Do retired law enforcement or military veterans need to complete a course?

Yes. Massachusetts doesn't provide training exemptions for retired law enforcement or military veterans.