HQL Completely Online Training Exemption

NateIU10 said:

As part of the Firearms Safety Act of 2013, a person must possess a valid handgun qualification license before they may purchase, rent, or receive a handgun. MD PUBLIC SAFETY § 5-117.1(c)(1). This is a general requirement subject to certain exceptions. If you, or your transaction, do not fall within an exception, a transferee must possess an HQL.

The Maryland State Police shall issue a handgun qualification license to a person who:

MD PUBLIC SAFETY § 5-117.1(e), in listing exceptions to the training requirements, provides that:



Md. Nat. Res. Code Ann. § 10-301.1(c)(3) further provides that:



The State of Texas offers and accepts a completely online Hunter's Safety course, which consists of online videos and quizzes. This online course costs between $18 and $30, depending on the online vendor used. I have personally completed the online TX Hunter's safety course, and furnished proof of completion to the Maryland State Police for my "Training Exempt" HQL application. I also submitted a letter with my certificate stating that I have attached a copy of a Hunter’s Safety Course offered by and accepted by the State of Texas, which reciprocally accepts Maryland’s Hunter Education course, and that such proof is sufficient to exempt myself from the Handgun Qualification License training requirement, citing the codes above.

My training exempt application for the HQL has been approved, based solely on the online Texas Hunter's Safety Certificate that I printed out after the test (I used the temporary, not the permanent card I got in the mail 5 days later.)

Click to expand...

Abulg1972 said:

I don't have my HQL partly because I haven't wanted to purchase a non C&R handgun since October and partly because I just don't feel like giving the government more info about myself or giving it money. I am exempt from the education requirement both because I have a safe hunter course and because I own pre-October regulated firearms. I'm curious what it costs to obtain the HQL without factoring in the education requirement. I heard somewhere around $200?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Jamesyee92 said:

I put in my training exempt application about a week or so ago, and just received a call from a trooper explaining that this Texas hunter safety course does not satisfy the requirement. Does anyone have a suggestion for me?

Click to expand...

Maryland State Police
Licensing Division, HQL Unit
1111 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208

Re: HQL Training Exemption
[Applicant's Name]

To Whom It May Concern:

MD PUBLIC SAFETY § 5-117.1(e) provides that:
An applicant for a handgun qualification license is not required to complete a firearms safety training course under subsection (d) of this section if the applicant: (2) has completed a course of instruction in competency and safety in the handling of firearms prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources under § 10-301.1 of the Natural Resources Article.

Md. Nat. Res. Code Ann. § 10-301.1(c)(3) further provides that:
Any similar certificate, or hunting license, issued outside the State by a governmental agency, shall be accepted as complying with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, if the privileges are reciprocal for Maryland residents.

I have furnished proof of completion of a Hunter’s Safety Course offered by and accepted by the State of Texas, which reciprocally accepts Maryland’s Hunter Education course. Such proof is sufficient to exempt myself from the Handgun Qualification License training requirement. If you have any questions, I may be reached by email at [Applicant email] or by telephone at [applicant phone number].

Thank you,

[applicant signature]

Click to expand...

Abulg1972 said:

I don't have my HQL partly because I haven't wanted to purchase a non C&R handgun since October and partly because I just don't feel like giving the government more info about myself or giving it money. I am exempt from the education requirement both because I have a safe hunter course and because I own pre-October regulated firearms. I'm curious what it costs to obtain the HQL without factoring in the education requirement. I heard somewhere around $200?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

danb said:

I wanted to recommend this route to a friend to get the HQL (he's taken the NRA pistol course but I don't think they accept that). I see some people have had hangups with the MSP? Have they been resolved? I don't want to throw someone into an experiment resulting in MSP hassle.

Click to expand...

woodstock said:

if the NRA instructor has a state HQIL number and furnished that number to the students, it should be good to go.

Click to expand...

VikingWarlord said:

These rules are confusing as all hell. I wish laws would be written in plain ****ing English.

Being new to the state, but having purchased a handgun prior to October 2013 in another state, does that qualify me as exempt from training? I'm not in the market at present but am always on the lookout for new and interesting shiny, boom-making objects.

If I have to do the training...well, I'll just stick with my C&R for now. Or I will once I get the updated one back from BATFE, that is.

Click to expand...

Doobie said:

I could be wrong, but if you purchased the handgun in another state prior to moving to Maryland and didn't register it when you moved here, then you may not be able to use it as an exemption to training. If it is possible to do, you are letting the state know about a handgun that they had no previous knowledge of.

Click to expand...