US Concealed Online is a private training company that offers CCW certification. The company makes it clear that they are not a government agency, and that they allow for approved private training and certification online.
How Do Concealed Carry Online Certifications Work?
US Concealed Online requires you to follow a three-step process to receive your certification.
These steps include:
Step 1
The first step of the process, after you fill out a six-question survey, is to complete all instructional requirements. These requirements are fulfilled by watching a short instructional video. The video is available for free, so you can watch it even if you don’t commit to getting your concealed carry.
Step 2
Once you have watched the video, it’s time to download the certificate. This only occurs if you’re able to pass the 12-question, multiple choice certification test. If you pass your test, you can download your Certificate of Completion immediately.
Step 3
The final step of the process is to complete the application. This occurs after you secure your certificate. The company will provide an outline of all the final steps required to receive a permit.
What State Do You Receive Your Concealed Carry Permit In?
Concealed carry permits are issued on a state level. When you receive your permit online, it will not be valid for every single state. Instead, this program is available for Virginia concealed carry permits. Virginia allows for residents and non-residents to receive their concealed carry permits.
Since you can be a non-resident and receive a concealed carry, this doesn’t mean that you’re not going to be able to conceal carry in your own state.
Under Virginia State law, your firearm and permit will be recognized in 28 other states. This is as close to a national CCW permit as there is available.
If you live in one of the states that does not recognize Virginia’s concealed carry permit, this is not the program for you. But since half of the states in the United States do recognize this permit, it is a good opportunity to receive your concealed carry without having to go through a traditional school or training program.
What States Honor Virginia’s Concealed Carry Permit?
Acceptance of your Virginia concealed carry permit will depend on whether you are a resident or non-resident of Virginia. Virginia residents will benefit from being able to conceal carry in a few additional states that non-residents are not allowed to conceal carry in.
States That Recognize Non-resident Permits
The following states recognize non-resident permits:
[one_third]
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
[/one_third]
[one_third]
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Wisconsin
[/one_third_last]
You should check with your state’s rules because you may be allowed to have a Virginia concealed carry permit, but you may need a permit in your state of residency, too.
For example, you may be a resident of Indiana and have a concealed carry permit from Virginia, but you will only be able to carry in states that recognize your permit and may need additional permitting in your state.
States That Recognize Resident Permits
If you are a resident of Virginia, you will be able to conceal carry in all the states listed above as well as have your permit honored in the following states:
- Colorado
- Florida
- Maine
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
As you can see, Virginia’s concealed carry permit is accepted in most of the states.
The list of states that recognize or honor the Virginia resident or non-resident concealed carry permit includes:
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
Please keep in mind that states can change their laws at any time. The list above is subject to change, and there is no guarantee that your US Concealed Online permit will be valid in all of these states if laws change.
Is the Certificate of Concealed Carry Online Legit?
The online concealed carry test is legitimate, but it doesn’t end with this program. What’s nice about US Concealed Online is that all of the training is free.
You will receive:
- Information to pass the educational portion of your concealed carry permit
- Information the pass the training portion of your concealed carry permit
But you will have to move forward with the Virginia application on your own. You’ll complete the free training and receive your certification test, but you will then have to complete the application process for the State of Virginia.
You will have all of the training, with your certificate of completion, to satisfy the State of Virginia’s following requirements:
- Handgun training
- Education
You can freely see their certifications and instructor information on their official page. The documentation of competence with a handgun is a requirement under Virginia law. All trainers hold multiple certifications with years of experience with a handgun.
The entire course is comprised of information that is nationally recognized material and is used in all 50 states.
Plus, there is a satisfaction guarantee, so if you’re not happy for some reason or this course does not meet your requirements, you can request your money back.
One thing to remember is that all states do have their own requirements for even qualifying for a concealed carry permit. If you do not meet these requirements, none of the training that is provided will be helpful to you. States are very strict with their concealed carry permits due to the nature and responsibility of owning a handgun.
The state of Virginia has the following concealed carry qualifications that you must meet before applying:
- You must be a US citizen that is 21 years of age or over
- You must be mentally competent
- A background check will be done by the state, and this check needs to come back clean
- You cannot be a felon
- You cannot be convicted of 2+ misdemeanors in the last five years
- You cannot have been convicted of assault
- You must also not be addicted to illegal substances
- And if you were in the US armed forces, you must not have been dishonorably discharged
Most states will have similar qualifications for anyone trying to obtain their concealed carry license. There is a chance that the state does not allow you to receive your concealed carry license because of a lack of educational requirement fulfillment.
If this does happen to you, you will have to request a refund from US Concealed Online. They do not offer refunds except in the instance that the State of Virginia rejects your certificate of completion.
Please note, the company states that this has never happened as of the time of writing this article, and that they are 100% compliant with Virginia’s training requirements.
But if for some reason you do have a problem, they do have a refund policy.
You will find that you can contact the company via email or phone. The company is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, so they will be able to answer any questions you have about their program.
All of the agents that work at the company are 100% US based, and they are available during regular business hours.
If you’re considering an online concealed carry, US Concealed Online should be a consideration.
