MD Wear & Carry Initial vs. Renewal: Which Class Do You Need?

It's the question I get most often: "Which class do I need?" The answer is simpler than people expect.

Take the Initial course if…

You've never held a Maryland Wear & Carry permit, or your permit has expired. Maryland requires the full 16-hour course for first-time applicants, covering:

• Maryland firearms law and the application process
• Handgun safety, mechanics, and fundamentals
• Situational awareness and conflict avoidance
• Live-fire qualification at an approved range

MD Wear & Carry Initial — $300, 16 hours →

Take the Renewal course if…

You hold a current, unexpired Maryland Wear & Carry permit. Renewal training is a streamlined 8-hour day that refreshes the legal material and completes your live-fire qualification.

MD Wear & Carry Renewal — $180, 8 hours →

The timing trap to avoid

Start your renewal before your permit expires — if it lapses, expect to retake the 16-hour initial course and the first-time application process — confirm current requirements with the Maryland State Police. I recommend booking your renewal class about 90 days before expiration: enough time for training, paperwork, and MSP processing.

Not sure which applies to you?

Edge cases exist — out-of-state permits, expired-but-recent permits, security-employment applications. Send me a note or call 443-333-1070 with your situation and I'll point you at the right course before you spend a dollar.