Training Courses

Below is detailed list of all of the classes we offer. In addition, you can check out our 📅Training Calendar📅 for dates of classes.

Looking for a gift? Purchase a 🎁Tactical Shepherd Training Gift Certificate!🎁

 

Required to Purchase a Handgun

MD Handgun Qualification License

This four-hour course is the Maryland required course to obtain a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) which enables a person to purchase a handgun in the State of Maryland. Understand firearms manipulation, home defensive tactics, unloading, loading, malfunction drills, weapon's maintenance and so much more.

Cost: $89.00

Total Time: 4 hours

What to bring to class: Government Photo ID (Driver's License)

Click to preview course: Preview MD HQL

Application Help: Need help filling out your application? Click here for help!

HQL Dates & Registration

Concealed Carry Courses

MD Wear & Carry Permit

As of July 5, 2022 Maryland has eliminated the requirement of "Good and Substantial Reason" to obtain the MD Wear and Carry Permit. Any upstanding citizen can obtain a permit for the simple purpose of self-defense.

Maryland Wear and Carry Permit (MDWC) training features a total of 16 hours of instruction (over a 2 consecutive day period) for an original application. This course will meet all training requirements for both MD residents and non residents to obtain their carry permit in the state of Maryland.

Applicants are required to submit documentation of the required training and a LiveScan fingerprint receipt.

If you are in need of a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit RENEWAL, sign up for the MD Wear & Carry RENEWAL Only Course!

Cost: $350.00

Total Time: 16 hours over 2 consecutive days

What to bring to class: Government Photo ID (Driver's License), unloaded firearm, external side draw holster, two unloaded magazines, 150 rounds of target ammunition, sturdy belt to secure holster, eye protection, hearing protection, bag lunch and water

Click to preview course: Preview MD Wear & Carry

Application Help: Need help filling out your application? Click here for help!

MDWC Dates & Registration

MD Wear & Carry Permit RENEWAL

This is a RENEWAL CLASS ONLY. This class is ONLY for CURRENT MD Wear and Carry Permit Holders.

Your renewal training can be completed up to two years prior to expiring and submitted to the Maryland State Police within 120 days of expiring. This will not move your renewal month backwards. Your permit will always expire on the last day of your birth month. Please be aware that the Maryland State Police is requesting that all renewal packages be submitted a minimum of 90 days in advance.

(This is not the required 16hr course needed to obtain your initial MD Wear and Carry Permit. If you don't have a permit. you need other 16hr MD Wear and Carry course listed on this website.)

Cost: $175.00

Total Time: 8 hours

What to bring to class: Government Photo ID (Driver's License), unloaded firearm, external side draw holster, two unloaded magazines, 150 rounds of target ammunition, sturdy belt to secure holster, eye protection, hearing protection, bag lunch and water

MD Renewal Dates & Registration

Utah Non-Resident Permit

This is the four hour course required to receive your Utah Non-Resident Permit that is valid in 30+ States including Delaware. Fingerprints and Passport Photo are included in the course.

Cost: $120.00

Total Time: 4 hours

What to bring to class: Government Photo ID (Driver's License)


Delaware CCW & Maryland Wear & Carry Combo

This combo course is for Delaware Residents only who are ages 21 and older who are seeking the training requirements for the Delaware Resident Concealed Carry Permit and the Maryland Wear and Carry Permit. Spanning over two days (16 hrs), this course is designed to exceed the minimum requirements set forth by the State of Delaware to certify you for a concealed carry permit. In addition, this course will meet all training requirements for MD non-residents to obtain their carry permit in the state of Maryland.

Note: You must be over 21 years old as per Maryland Law to receive your MD Wear and Carry Permit.

Students will be required to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of class.

Cost: $375.00

Total Time: 16 hours over 2 consecutive days

What to bring to class: Government Photo ID (Driver's License), unloaded firearm, external side draw holster, two unloaded magazines, 150 rounds of target ammunition, sturdy belt to secure holster, eye protection, hearing protection, bag lunch and water.  

Handgun Courses

Beginner Handgun Course

Beginner Handgun is designed as a continuation of the HQL class that gives the student an opportunity to shoot their handgun (rentals available if needed) on a controlled range with experienced instructors.
The course will focus on the cardinal rules of safety, fundamentals of marksmanship, safe firearm handling, common causes of firearm malfunction, firearm care and maintenance, and various marksmanship drills.

Cost: $150.00

Total Time: 5 hours

What to bring to class: unloaded firearm (rentals available for $25 upon arrival), two magazines, 100 rounds of target ammunition, range appropriate attire, eye protection, hearing protection, snacks and water


Scenario Based Training

This dynamic course is centered around the student being immersed in real world situations with live role-players in shoot / don't shoot scenarios. 

Please arrive 15 minutes early for registration.

Do not bring a firearm or ammunition to this course.

Cost: $150.00

Total Time: 4 hours

What to bring to class: Government issued photo ID, snacks and water

SBT Dates & Registration

Red Dot Sight (RDS)

This handgun course is designed to help set students up for success as new red dot pistol shooters, as well as shooters interested in learning how to get the maximum performance out of their pistol-mounted red dot sight.
Students are expected to arrive with an established foundation in the fundamentals of marksmanship and safe firearm manipulation skills. Students will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using RDS on the pistol;
Topics covered include;
  • Fundamental marksmanship refresher
  • Zero techniques and confirmation at various distances
  • Common causes for not finding the Dot.
  • Grip & Stance considerations
  • Draw stroke and finding the dot
  • Tracking the dot (recoil management) and analysis of shooting errors
  • Reacquiring the dot after reloading
  • Understanding Mechanical Offset and Holdover
  • Advantages of Target Focused V.S front sight focus
  • Down Optic Drills to Include & Optic blockage drills
  • Building speed through efficiency
 

Please arrive 15 minutes early for registration.

Cost: $150.00

Total Time: 5 hours

What to bring to class: unloaded firearm, external side draw holster, two unloaded magazines, 150 rounds of target ammunition, sturdy belt to secure holster, eye protection, hearing protection, appropriate range attire, snacks and water

RDS Dates & Registration

Live Fire Workshop

Live Fire Workshop is designed for intermediate shooters to improve confidence, proficiency, and handgun manipulation skills.


The students will meet at the Tactical Shepherd for a mandatory Safety Brief and Range Protocol. Students will follow instructors to the range, located less than 10 mins away.

After each live fire relays, the instructors will evaluate your skill level and identify opportunities for improvement to enhance YOUR abilities.

Many students may be at the same skill level or have the same problems, but regardless an individual assessment is critical to achieve the best results.

Shooting drills will focus on strong fundamentals, shot placement, and judgmental shooting at varying distances. (Possibly advanced law enforcement style drills depending on the shooter.)

This course was strategically designed so the student sees and feels improvement. Whether you a homeowner defending your residence and family or a MD Wear and Carry permit holder, truly understanding your current personal skill level and making strides for improvement is our #2 goal. The #1 goal is always safety!

Cost: $125.00

Total Time: 4 hours

What to bring to class: unloaded firearm, external side draw holster, two unloaded magazines, 150 rounds of target ammunition, sturdy belt to secure holster, eye protection, hearing protection, appropriate range attire, snacks and water

Click to preview course: Preview Live Fire

Live Fire Dates & Registration

Advanced Live Fire Workshop

Advanced Live Fire workshop is ONLY for students who have completed Tactical Shepherd Live Fire Workshop or completed the Tactical Shepherd MD Wear & Carry Course with a score of 95% or better, which is a requirement. If you were not satisfied with your performance in Live Fire Workshop or MD W&C or question your basic handgun skill set this is NOT the class for you.

Experienced shooters will be challenged and train under stress.


Before enrolling in this course students will need:
- Strong knowledge of handgun safety
- Basic to Intermediate handgun manipulation skills
- Confidence in their proficiency and accuracy

if you fail to display these skills you will be asked to leave the range.

The students will meet at Tactical Shepherd for a mandatory Safety Brief and Range Protocol. Students will follow instructors to the range (located less than 10 mins away

Students will be learning and participating in the following: 

  1. Close quarters Tucked Hip Shooting
  2. Step back shooting
  3. Shooting at distances up to 25 yards
  4. Shooting under stress and strict time limits
  5. Barricade defensive shooting
  6. Moving to shoot timed drills.
  7. Judgmental shooting

This ADVANCED course is the part Tactical Shepherd you have never experienced. You will be held to tight firing line start and stop times, integrating multiple skills, shooting and maneuvering against close, medium and longer-range targets.

Several mini competitions will be held amongst the students.

Cost: $175.00

Total Time: 5 hours

What to bring to class: unloaded firearm, external side draw holster, two unloaded magazines, 200 rounds of target ammunition, sturdy belt to secure holster, eye protection, hearing protection, appropriate range attire, boots or high traction lace up footwear, snacks and water

Click to preview course: Click to preview 1st video, Click to preview 2nd video 

Advanced Live Fire Dates & Registration

Handgun Cleaning and Maintenance

In Handgun Cleaning and Maintenance (C & M), the student will be able to: Disassemble and reassemble their handgun multiple times, clean their handgun, learn the friction points, understand carbon build up and lubrication.

There will be a Q&A Section at the end of the course.

Cost: $45.00

Total Time: 2 hours

What to bring to class: Unloaded handgun, unloaded magazines, cleaning kit, patches, lubricant

Handgun C & M Dates & Registration

Rifle Courses

Intro to AR 

If you have limited or no experience with the AR 15 platform this is 100% the class for you!!! Learn the right way and learn from the best - Military and certified Law Enforcement SWAT Operators.

The Intro to AR platform class is focused on improving your knowledge and performance with YOUR personal AR style rifle. This 5 hour course is designed to be informative, instructional and challenging for all entry level shooters.

Instruction will begin in the classroom and will offer ample opportunity to understand:
Assembly, Disassembly, Understanding functionality, Weapons' manipulation, Loading, Making the weapon safe,  Clearing malfunctions and handling, Practicing various shooting positions.

After that, it's off to the range!

Let's get your rifle zeroed in and work on a few skills to improve your proficiency. NEW SHOOTERS: we assure you that your confidence, knowledge and proficiency will sky rocket.

Cost: $150.00

Total Time: 5 hours

What to bring to class: Personal AR rifle, case, two unloaded magazines any size, 60 rounds minimum of ammunition, cleaning kit and lube (available for purchase in Gun Shop), optic (unless you prefer iron sights) eye protection, hearing protection, appropriate range attire, snacks and water

Intro to AR Dates & Registration

 


Basic Combat AR 

The Basic Combat AR / M4 Platform Course is focused on improving your performance with your AR-15 / M4 weapon system. It is taught by Special Operations Instructors and SWAT Operators. It is designed to be both instructional and challenging for entry and intermediate level shooters.

This specialized training focuses on proficiency improvement, weapon manipulation, rapid target acquisition, multiple target engagement, tactical body positioning, footwork and movement.

Cost: $295.00

Total Time: 8 hours

What to bring to class: AR-15 / M4, iron sites or optic, sling, three magazines, eye protection, hearing protection, 400 rounds of ammo, appropriate range attire and footwear, bag lunch, and water

 

Basic Combat AR Dates & Registration

 

 

Specialty Courses

Women's Defensive Tactics

This intense four-hour women's defensive tactics course / workshop will range from situational awareness, hand to hand physicality and surviving an attack. Please wear attire that is appropriate for movement, striking and grappling.

Cost: $100.00

Total Time: hours

What to bring to class: water

Click to preview course: Preview Women's Defensive Tactics Here

Women's Defensive Tactics Dates & Registration

Stop the Bleed

Tactical Shepherd will train you how to respond in the event of a serious life threatening medical event.  This STOP THE BLEED certification (developed by the American College of Surgeons) will train students how to control bleeding in three easy steps.

 As a bonus, this course includes your CPR and AED certification from the American Safety and Health Institute.

Cost: $100.00

Total Time: 3 hours

What to bring to class: water