EFFECTIVE 08/12/2025 - RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF NOW ALLOWS CALIFORNIA RESIDENT CCW ONLINE CERTIFICATIONS. YOU MUST RESIDE IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY TO TAKE THIS ONLINE COURSE.

The California Resident Concealed Carry of Weapons (CCW) Blended Learning Online Course is the most comprehensive, accessible, and legally compliant training program developed for responsibly armed Riverside County Residents to legally carry a firearm for self-defense throughout California. This course can be completed online and is available 24/7 to complete at your pace according to your schedule. No in-person classroom is required.

This course was developed in compliance with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Concealed Carry of Weapons Units to ensure full alignment with their approved curriculum standards, live-fire qualification and online application submission process. From content formatting to application documentation, this course is structured to match California's requirements for Resident CCW applicants, making your certification and application process as smooth and efficient as possible.

Students also benefit from the exceptional customer support, 7 days a week. Whether you need help navigating the course, scheduling your live-fire qualification in your home state, or submitting your application to the appropriate County Sheriff, our support staff is standing by to guide you every step of the way.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR: JOHN GALLETTA

- At the heart of this course is John Galletta, a California DOJ Certified Instructor, NRA Firearms Instructor, and veteran defensive shooting trainer who brings more than 40 years of experience to the classroom.

- John began teaching firearms safety in the early 1980s while serving in the United States Air Force, instructing fellow service members, friends, and family. Following his discharge in 1988, John continued his passion for training and became a full-time NRA Instructor, eventually founding Riverside CCW Training, which now provides certified instruction for CCW applicants in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Arizona, Utah, and select cities across Los Angeles County.

John has personally trained thousands of students, and his work continues to empower women, new shooters, and first-time gun owners. In 2023, John survived a violent armed attack that required him to act decisively to defend his life and the lives of others. His deeply personal experience is shared throughout the course and brings real-world context to topics such as situational awareness, decision-making under duress, and the emotional and legal aftermath of using deadly force.

ABOUT THE COURSE

This 12-hour online course and completing a live-fire qualification fulfills the California 16-hour training requirement for applicants seeking a Resident CCW Permit. It features the following:

- Professional instructor-led video lessons and real classroom recordings.
- Real-world scenario breakdowns, analysis, explanations and interpretations from self-defense and legal experts.
- Audio narrations of California Firearms Laws for on-the-go learning and deeper understanding.
- Dynamic visual aids, downloadable study guides, at home and on range training tools and knowledge checks to help focus your learning.
- Student support and concierge application assistance 7 days a week.
- Developed to accommodate travelers, this course teaches how to responsibly and legally carry in California while also exploring multi-state considerations for those who cross from California into neighboring states like Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and beyond.
- Complete the required Live-Fire Qualification with Riverside CCW Training based in Riverside, California. Must be booked and paid separately for $75 (up to 6 firearms). Upon course completion, instructions to book will follow by email.