Jacksonville
Training: the live-fire rule
You can show competence through any one of these (s. 790.06(2)(h)): hunter education; an NRA firearms course; a public course using NRA-, CJSTC- or FDACS-certified instructors; a law-enforcement or security course; organized shooting competition or U.S. military service; a current or prior Florida license (not revoked for cause); or a course by a state- or NRA-certified instructor.
For NRA, public and certified-instructor courses, the instructor must keep records certifying that they observed the student safely handle and discharge the firearm in their physical presence, with live fire using a real firearm and ammunition. Live fire over video, webcam or remote stream does not qualify.
What about an online classroom?
The statute's physical-presence rule covers the handling and live-fire portion. A classroom portion may be delivered online only when paired with in-person live fire observed by the instructor. An online-only course cannot satisfy the requirement.
Recommended gear
For live-fire qualification and range days, these basics are worth packing (we never link firearms or ammunition):
Gun safe / lockbox
Quick-access biometric or keypad safe for home or travel storage.
Shop gun safes on Amazon →
Range bag & eye/ear
Eye and ear protection, plus a bag to keep range day organized.
Shop range gear on Amazon →
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Questions folks ask
Can I get a Florida license with an online-only course?
No. The instructor must observe you safely handle and discharge a firearm with live fire in their physical presence.
Does military service count?
Yes. Evidence of United States military service is listed in s. 790.06(2)(h)5.