Minnesota Permit to Carry Renewal: Do You Have to Take the Class Again?
Is your Minnesota Permit to Carry getting close to its expiration date? One of the most common questions permit holders ask is whether they must complete another training course to renew it.
The answer is yes.
Renewing a Minnesota Permit to Carry requires qualifying training and a live-fire shooting qualification. There is no shorter renewal class, automatic renewal or shortcut that allows an experienced permit holder to skip the training process.
Gun Permit Center makes completing your Minnesota Permit to Carry renewal training as simple and convenient as possible. Our program provides the required online education and access to the live-fire qualification needed to complete your training.
Do You Need to Take a Class to Renew a Minnesota Permit to Carry?
Yes. Minnesota law requires an applicant to provide evidence of qualifying pistol training completed within one year of either an original or renewal application.
Minnesota Statutes section 624.714 specifically applies the training requirement to both new and renewing applicants. The law also states that a Minnesota Permit to Carry may be renewed in the same manner and under the same criteria used to obtain the original permit.
That means a renewal applicant must complete the required training again, even if the person:
- Has carried a firearm for many years
- Previously completed a Permit to Carry course
- Has renewed a permit before
- Regularly practices at a shooting range
- Has extensive experience handling firearms
Previous experience may make the training more familiar, but it does not eliminate Minnesota’s current renewal training requirements.
Is There a Shorter Minnesota Permit Renewal Class?
Minnesota does not establish a separate, shortened training standard for someone renewing a Permit to Carry.
A renewal student must complete qualifying instruction and successfully complete an actual shooting qualification. Watching a short refresher video, taking only an online test or submitting an old training certificate does not satisfy the standard training requirement.
Your new training must be completed within one year of the date you submit your Minnesota Permit to Carry renewal application.
What Training Is Required for a Minnesota Permit to Carry Renewal?
Minnesota’s required Permit to Carry training includes three main areas:
Pistol Fundamentals
The course must provide instruction in the fundamentals of pistol use. This includes information that helps students understand safe firearm handling and responsible pistol operation.
Legal Instruction
Students must receive instruction covering the fundamental legal aspects of possessing, carrying and using a pistol.
This includes information concerning self-defense and the legal restrictions surrounding the use of deadly force.
Live-Fire Shooting Qualification
Every student must successfully complete an actual shooting qualification exercise.
The shooting portion cannot be replaced by an online-only activity. A renewal course that includes online education must still be followed by an in-person, live-fire qualification with a certified instructor.
Complete Your Minnesota Permit to Carry Renewal with Gun Permit Center
Gun Permit Center provides a convenient, one-stop training solution for Minnesota Permit to Carry renewal students.
Your training includes two required parts:
- A self-paced online Minnesota Permit to Carry course
- An in-person live-fire shooting qualification
Both portions must be successfully completed before your qualifying training certificate can be issued.
Take the Online Minnesota Permit Renewal Course at Your Own Pace
The educational portion of our Minnesota Permit to Carry course is completed online and at your own pace.
Most students complete the online course in approximately two to two-and-a-half hours. You do not have to spend an entire day sitting in a traditional classroom.
You can work through the material based on your schedule, stop when necessary and return to continue your training.
The course covers important topics related to:
- Safe firearm handling
- Pistol fundamentals
- Responsible firearm ownership
- Minnesota Permit to Carry requirements
- Self-defense considerations
- Restrictions involving deadly force
- Carrying and using a pistol responsibly
Although renewal students may recognize some of the information, completing the course again provides an opportunity to refresh important knowledge and review current course material.
Complete the Required Live-Fire Shooting Qualification
After completing the online course, you must complete your live-fire shooting qualification with a Gun Permit Center instructor.
Our Minnesota Permit to Carry qualification requires the student to fire 30 total rounds from multiple distances:
- 15 rounds from 5 yards
- 15 rounds from 7 yards
Students must place at least 24 of the 30 rounds within the designated scoring area, resulting in the required passing score of 80%.
The shooting qualification allows the instructor to evaluate the student’s ability to safely handle and operate a pistol while demonstrating an appropriate level of shooting proficiency.
Students who need additional help should discuss available instruction, firearm use and range requirements with their selected instructor before the qualification.
Is Gun Permit Center’s Course Completely Online?
The classroom portion is completed online, but the entire Minnesota Permit to Carry training process cannot legally be completed online.
Minnesota requires successful completion of an actual shooting qualification exercise. Therefore, every student must complete both:
- The online educational course
- The in-person live-fire shooting qualification
A website advertising a completely online Minnesota Permit to Carry renewal without an actual shooting qualification would not be describing the complete standard training process established under Minnesota law.
How Long Is Minnesota Permit to Carry Training Valid?
Your training certificate must show that you completed qualifying training within one year of your original or renewal application date.
This gives students flexibility. You can complete the online course and shooting qualification before your permit enters its official renewal window, provided your certificate will still be within one year when you submit your application.
However, completing the course too early could cause the certificate to fall outside that one-year period. Always compare the date of your training certificate with the date you plan to submit your renewal application.
When Can You Renew a Minnesota Permit to Carry?
A Minnesota Permit to Carry generally expires five years after its date of issue.
You may submit a renewal application no earlier than 90 days before the expiration date printed on your permit.
A renewal application submitted after the permit expires, but within 30 days following expiration, may still be handled as a renewal with an additional late fee. After that period, the application is generally treated as a new application rather than a renewal.
Completing your training before the last minute gives you time to:
- Finish the online course
- Schedule your shooting qualification
- Receive your training certificate
- Gather the required application documents
- Submit your application to the appropriate sheriff’s office
Where Do You Submit a Minnesota Permit Renewal Application?
Minnesota Permit to Carry applications are submitted in person to the appropriate county sheriff’s office.
A renewal application packet generally includes:
- A completed Minnesota Permit to Carry application
- Evidence of qualifying training completed within the previous year
- A copy of an accepted form of identification
- The applicable sheriff’s office processing fee
Application procedures, appointment requirements and accepted payment methods may vary by county. Contact the appropriate sheriff’s office before visiting to confirm its current process.
Do not sign or date the application ahead of time unless the sheriff’s office instructs you to do so.
What Happens If Your Minnesota Permit Expires?
Do not assume that completing your renewal training automatically extends your current permit.
Completing a Permit to Carry course and shooting qualification provides the training documentation needed for your application. It does not renew the permit by itself.
You must still submit the required renewal application and documentation to the appropriate sheriff’s office.
A person who applies after the expiration date but within the permitted late-renewal period may be charged an additional fee. Waiting longer can result in the application being processed as a new permit application.
For that reason, check the expiration date printed on your permit and plan your training and application accordingly.
Minnesota Permit to Carry Renewal Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Minnesota Permit to Carry without taking another class?
Generally, no. A renewal applicant must provide evidence of qualifying training completed within one year of the renewal application.
Do I have to complete another shooting qualification?
Yes. Qualifying training includes successful completion of an actual shooting qualification exercise.
Is there a shorter class for Minnesota permit renewals?
Minnesota does not establish a separate shortcut that removes the required course content or live-fire qualification for a standard renewal applicant.
Can I complete the renewal course online?
You can complete Gun Permit Center’s educational portion online and at your own pace. The live-fire shooting qualification must be completed in person with an instructor.
How long does the online Permit to Carry course take?
Most students complete our self-paced online course in approximately two to two-and-a-half hours.
How many rounds are required for the Gun Permit Center qualification?
Our qualification includes 30 rounds fired from multiple distances: 15 rounds from 5 yards and 15 rounds from 7 yards.
When should I take my renewal course?
You may complete the training before your official application window opens, but the training must be within one year of the date you submit your renewal application.
Does completing the course renew my permit automatically?
No. After completing the course and shooting qualification, you must submit your application and supporting documents to the appropriate county sheriff’s office.
Start Your Minnesota Permit to Carry Renewal Training
There is no renewal shortcut, but Gun Permit Center makes completing the required training straightforward.
Our Minnesota Permit to Carry renewal program provides:
- A convenient, self-paced online course
- Approximately two to two-and-a-half hours of online instruction
- A required live-fire qualification
- 30 rounds fired from multiple distances
- Access to instructors who can complete the shooting portion
- The training documentation needed to apply for your renewal
Whether you are applying for your first permit or renewing a permit you have held for years, the essential training process remains the same.
Start your Minnesota Permit to Carry renewal course today, complete your shooting qualification and be ready to submit your application before your current permit expires.
Gun Permit Center provides firearms training and general educational information. This article is not legal advice. Laws, fees and application procedures can change. Confirm current requirements with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota Department of Public Safety or the appropriate county sheriff’s office before submitting an application.