Can you take a CCW course online in California (CA)

Short answer: Yes — but not purely online. In California Penal Code §26165 (as updated by Senate Bill 2 / SB2 ) and related rules under the California Department of Justice (DOJ), CCW (concealed-carry weapon) training in California requires both a classroom portion and a live-fire qualification on a firing range.

This will depend primarily on the law-enforcement agency (police department or sheriff’s office) where you are applying for your California CCW permit.

Unlike many other states, most California agencies maintain a list of approved CCW instructors or training vendors. Once your application is reviewed and you receive approval to move forward with training, you are required to complete your course only with an instructor or vendor listed on that agency’s approved CCW vendor list.

If you take a class from a provider not on their approved list, your training certificate will not be accepted, and your permit process may be delayed.

Here’s how that works — and what “online CCW course” really means under California law:

What California law requires for CCW training

• The CCW training must be provided by an instructor certified by the Calif. DOJ.

• As part of the license application, the applicant must complete a shooting (live-fire) qualification on a firing range: draw from a holster, hit targets at specified distances, use proper holster/magazine pouch, etc.

• The overall required “course of training” (classroom + live fire) satisfies the 16-hour initial training (for new CCW) or 8-hour renewal (for renewals).

What “online” CCW courses in California actually are — and when they work

Because of the live-fire requirement, most “online CCW courses” are actually hybrid/blended courses:

• The classroom portion (laws, safety, legal instruction, situational awareness, mental-health content, etc.) can be done online — e.g. via videos, reading, quizzes, at your own pace. Several providers advertise SB2-compliant online courses.

• But after completing the online portion, you — by law — must do live-fire qualification in person at a shooting range under supervision of a certified instructor if you want your CCW permit to be valid.

• Also, acceptance of online-class + live-fire depends on the county / issuing agency. Some counties accept blended (online + live fire) courses; others may require full in-person, especially for initial CCW or depending on their internal policy.

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What this means for you (living in California / applying for CA CCW)

• You can take the classroom portion of your CCW training online — this offers flexibility and convenience for laws, safety, and legal instruction.

• But you cannot get a valid CCW permit through just an online course alone. The live-fire qualification on a shooting range is mandatory.

• Before enrolling in an “online CCW course,” you must verify with the county sheriff’s office or issuing agency that they will accept that blended format (online + live fire). Some counties or sheriff’s departments may disallow online-only or even blended courses.

• Make sure your instructor is certified under DOJ (or other allowed certification — POST-certified, etc.).