Federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act

Staff works a combination of in-office and remotely, please give plenty of time when submitting your application. The preferred method of correspondence is by email at pspi@cjtc.wa.gov.

The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA - 18USC926C) authorizes retired and separated law enforcement officers nationwide to carry concealed weapons throughout the country.

The WSCJTC’s only role in the LEOSA permit process is to allow an applicant to complete their application by obtaining the required firearms certification. WSCJTC’s role is limited to:

• setting standards for firearms certification for all applicants, and
• providing training and qualification by certified firearms instructors.
  • Any CJTC-certified firearms instructor can issue a LEOSA firearms certificate so long as the applicant complies with the minimum standards for qualification set by CJTC.

A WSCJTC firearms certificate does not, by itself, allow a retired/separated officer to carry a concealed firearm pursuant to LEOSA. A retired/separated officer who has a WSCJTC-issued LEOSA firearms certificate must also have a photographic LEOSA identification card from their former employer which certifies that the retired/separated officer was formerly employed by the agency and left in good standing. The WSCJTC cannot issue a photo ID that serves as a substitute for the ID that they receive from their agency.

Please follow the link if you would like to view the Washington State LEOSA Law.

Concealed Pistol Reciprocity – The Attorney General’s Office periodically reviews the laws of other states to determine whether those laws meet the requirements for Washington to reciprocally recognize a concealed pistol license or permit issued by those states. The Attorney General is required by law to publish a list of states with which Washington has reciprocity. Please click here for more information.

Firearms Certification Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Washington State LEOSA firearms qualification, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be retired or separated in good standing as a law enforcement officer for reasons other than mental instability.
2. Prior to your separation, was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution, or incarceration of any person for any violation of law and had statutory powers of arrest?.
3. Have served at least 10 years as a law enforcement officer.
4. Not be prohibited by state/federal law from possessing a firearm.
5. Been issued a photographic identification by the agency from which the individual separated from service as a law enforcement officer that identifies the person as having been employed as a police officer or law enforcement officer.
6. Current Washington State resident. Applicants are not required to have worked in Washington State but must be a current resident & provide proof of residency (i.e., Washington State Photo ID/driver’s license).

To read more about LEOSA and who is eligible please visit the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) website.

Firearms Certification Process through the WSCJTC

To apply for LEOSA firearms certification through the WSCJTC, applicants must submit a complete application packet (with supporting documents) and your fee. There are three (3) options to obtain this certification.

1. Attend an on-site WSCJTC LEOSA Concealed Carry Qualification using our certified instructors. On your application you can specify the date that you wish to attend the course.
   1. Follow this link to view our course schedule and expectations: LEOSA qualifications

1. Please note: the WSCJTC Firearms Range requires lead-free/clean fire ammunition.

2. Contact your local police department and find out if they conduct LEOSA firearms certifications.
   1. If an active law enforcement range master is used to administer the handgun test, they must have an active WSCJTC Handgun Instructor Level I or II instructor status within the last 3 years.
3. Select a certified instructor from our Instructor Directory and schedule with them to administer the handgun qualification (costs may vary).

Please note: If an applicant uses a handgun test administrator who does not meet the Handgun Instructor Level certification requirements, we will NOT process the LEOSA application, and we do not issue refunds. Please be sure to review requirements listed above.

See the section “Application Materials and Forms” for information on how to submit your completed application. We will mail a hard plastic certificate card within 7-10 business days from receipt of a complete application. To maintain certification, it must be renewed each year.

Important Information

As the WSCJTC does not issue refunds, ensure you are qualified, and you review your application carefully.

New/Initial Application:

• Completing qualification at the WSCJTC Range, the fee is $100.
• Completing qualification not at the WSCJTC Range, the fee is $50.

Renewal Application:

• Completing qualification at the WSCJTC Range, the fee is $50.
• Completing qualification not at the WSCJTC Range, the fee is $25.

For those completing the handgun qualification at the WSCJTC Range

The WSCJTC is required by Labor & Industries that all persons on the WSCJTC range must have a ballistic vest. If you do not have one, we cannot provide one for you and you will not be able to do a LEOSA firearms qualification at our facility. You are responsible for all personal protective equipment and ensuring its integrity.

If you are unable to obtain a ballistic vest for a LEOSA firearms qualification, you can contact a Private Security Certified Firearms Instructor using the Instructor Directory to set up a LEOSA firearms qualification outside of WSCJTC. Please note, public ranges are starting to require ballistic vests, so verifying equipment requirements with the instructor is the responsibility of the individual.

Uniform stores carry ballistic vests and those include, but are not limited to: LEEDS, Blumenthal’s, Bud’s Police Supply, San Diego Police Supply, etc. WSCJTC does not endorse one specific supplier.

Application Materials and Forms

When applying for the LEOSA firearms certificate through the WSCJTC, the following documents must be included:

1. A front and back copy of your retired ID from your previous Law Enforcement Agency.
2. Forms listed below.

How to Submit applications and payment:

Application:

Directions to submit applications are attached to the application; please download the application.

Payment:

Applications cannot be processed until payment is received. The WSCJTC accepts checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or ACH/Wire Transfers. We do not accept credit or debit cards.

• There must be a note attached to the fee identifying whose application the fee is for.

There are two methods to submit payment:

1. Mailed in:
   • Please allow 2-weeks for processing of this type of payment.

     WSCJTC
     Attn: LEOSA
     PO Box 40905
     Olympia, WA 98504-0905

2. ACH/ Wire Transfer, click here for instructions.
   • Attach a copy of your wire transfer receipt to your application packet.

Additional Information and Links

The agency you are retired from may do their own LEOSA firearms certification. They will issue the documentation showing you are LEOSA Certified. You are not required to obtain your LEOSA firearms certificate through the WSCJTC, it is optional.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, feel free to email us at pspi@cjtc.wa.gov.