Beginning May 1, 2027, most Washington residents purchasing or receiving a firearm will need a permit to purchase.  Those applying for a concealed pistol license (CPL) or for the renewal of their CPL will have to provide proof of the required training.  Applicants must complete a certified firearms safety training program that includes supervised live-fire training.  Marksman Mentor is developing an approachable, beginner-friendly training option servicing Auburn, Pacific, Tacoma, Kent, Puyallup, and surrounding communities.

Course registration will open after the Washington State Patrol (WSP) publishes its final certification process and Marksman Mentor's program receives the required approval.  

The Washington State Patrol has published a website that will answer many of your questions.  getapermitwa.org

Anyone who is purchasing or receiving a firearm in Washington State and those that are obtaining or renewing a concealed pistol license.

There are exceptions listed in RCW 9.41.1132 and RCW 9.41.070 for this requirement.  

(a) Upon showing proper identification, a person who is a:

(i) General authority Washington peace officer as defined in RCW  10.93.020;

(ii) Limited authority Washington peace officer as defined in RCW  10.93.020 who as a normal part of their duties has arrest powers and carries a firearm;

(iii) Specially commissioned Washington peace officer as defined in RCW  10.93.020 who as a normal part of their duties has arrest powers and carries a firearm;

(iv) Federal peace officer as defined in RCW  10.93.020 who as a normal part of their duties has arrest powers and carries a firearm; or

(v) Tribal police officer;

(b) Upon showing proper identification, a person who is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, an active member of the national guard, or an active member of the armed forces reserves. For the purposes of this section, proper identification includes the armed forces identification card or other written documentation certifying that the individual is an active military member;

(c) Upon showing proper identification, a person who is an armed private investigator licensed pursuant to chapter  18.165 RCW. For the purposes of this section, proper identification includes the armed private investigator license card issued pursuant to RCW  18.165.080 or other written documentation certifying that the individual is a licensed armed private investigator; or

(d) Upon showing proper identification, a person who is an armed security guard licensed pursuant to chapter  18.170 RCW. For the purposes of this section, proper identification includes the armed security guard license card issued pursuant to RCW  18.170.070 or other written documentation certifying that the individual is a licensed armed security guard.

(6) The exceptions to the firearms safety training requirement established in subsection (5)(c) and (d) of this section shall only apply so long as the criminal justice training commission's private security firearms certificate training meets the requirements of this section.

In addition to the cost of training...

The permit will be required beginning May 1st, 2027.  While that is when the permit will be required, we expect to be able to complete the training requirements well before the permit is required.

RCW 9.41.1132 lists the training requirements for permit to purchase and for the concealed pistol licenses.  

At a minimum the training must include instruction on:

• Basic firearms safety rules
• Firearms and children, including secure gun storage and talking to children about gun safety
• Firearms and suicide prevention
• Secure gun storage to prevent unauthorized access and use
• Safe handling of firearms
• State and federal laws, including prohibited firearms transfers and locations where firearms are prohibited
• State laws pertaining to the use and deadly force for self-defense
• Techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution
• Live-fire exercises on a firing range that include a demonstration by the applicant of the safe handling of, and shooting proficiency with, firearms

Yes, the requirements for a permit to purchase and for a concealed pistol license both require live fire, observed on a range, with an instructor certified by a nationally recognized organization.  There is no round count specified for the permit to purchase, just that live fire is required.  For a concealed pistol license the minimum round count is 50.

Marksman Mentor will offer two different methods to satisfy the knowledge training requirement.  Both in-person and online training will be available. depending on the individual's needs.

The live fire requirements can be met in many ways.  We have scheduled range time at the Tacoma Sportsmen's Club in Puyallup beginning in 2027.  We expect to expand to more public and private ranges in the Puget Sound area.  Once the curriculum is approved we will be opening up a self-registration option for range time.

More information coming soon!