17 Jun Is an Online CPL Class Legal in Michigan? What Actually Counts in 2026

Short answer: a fully online CPL class does not satisfy Michigan’s training requirement. The live-fire range portion of the course can never be completed over the internet, and the classroom portion is only safely met through a live, instructor-led session, not a self-paced video you watch on your own. If you’ve seen an out-of-state ad promising a “100% online Michigan CPL,” be careful, because it almost certainly does not meet what your county clerk requires.

Here’s exactly what Michigan law allows online, what it doesn’t, and how to make sure the class you take actually counts toward your concealed pistol license.

What Michigan law requires for CPL training

Under MCL 28.425j, the certified pistol-safety course must total at least 8 hours, broken into two parts:

• At least 5 hours of classroom instruction covering safe storage and handling, ammunition and shooting fundamentals, shooting positions, firearms and the law (the legal/use-of-force portion must be taught by an attorney or someone trained in the use of deadly force), avoiding a violent confrontation, and all of Michigan’s concealed-carry laws.
• At least 3 hours on a firing range, during which you must fire at least 30 rounds.

When you finish, your instructor signs a completion certificate listing their name, certifying organization, certification number, and expiration. That certificate, not a state-issued card, is your proof of training when you apply. There is no state-scored written exam, so the requirement is genuine completion of a certified course, not passing a government test.

The live-fire range hours can never be online

This is the firm, non-negotiable line. The 3-hour range portion and the 30-round live-fire requirement must be completed in person, on a real range, under your instructor’s direct supervision. There is no virtual, simulator, or “we’ll waive it” version that Michigan accepts. Any course advertising a CPL with no in-person shooting day does not meet MCL 28.425j, full stop.

This single fact is what makes a “fully online Michigan CPL” impossible. Even if every classroom hour were delivered remotely, you would still have to show up at a range to fire your rounds.

What about the classroom portion online?

Here’s where it gets nuanced, and where honesty matters. MCL 28.425j does not contain explicit language either permitting or prohibiting online delivery of the 5-hour classroom portion. In practice, many Michigan instructors run that classroom block as a live, real-time, instructor-led virtual session (camera on, taught in real time, covering all required topics), with the range completed separately in person. County clerks generally accept certificates from these compliant virtual-classroom-plus-in-person-range courses.

What you should not assume is safe: a fully self-paced, pre-recorded, watch-whenever video course marketed as a “complete online CPL.” Because the statute is silent on online format, a real-time instructor-led classroom is the defensible representation, and a passive on-demand video is not. The bottom line for the classroom piece is simple: live virtual classroom can work; a recorded “click through and print your certificate” course is a risk. Always confirm both the class format and that your specific county clerk will accept the certificate before you pay.

Watch out for out-of-state “online CPL” offers

A lot of the “online concealed carry permit” advertising you’ll see online is built for other states’ rules, not Michigan’s. Some states do allow heavily online or even shooting-optional courses. Michigan does not. An out-of-state online certificate will not get you a Michigan CPL, and an out-of-state permit stops being valid for you the moment you become a Michigan resident, so a non-Michigan online class is a dead end if you live here. If the offer doesn’t include a Michigan-based, in-person range day with a Michigan-recognized instructor, treat it as not compliant.

How to stay compliant (and still save time)

You can get the convenience of online learning without breaking the rules. The compliant model is a live, instructor-led virtual classroom plus a scheduled in-person range session. USGunClasses offers exactly this format, so you can knock out the classroom from home and complete your required live fire at a real range. Browse compliant Michigan courses on our find a CPL class page, or read more about the hybrid virtual CPL class option.

Once your class is done, the rest of the process is in person, too. Michigan first-time CPL applications are filed at your county clerk’s office (the state’s online portal is for renewals only). For the full walkthrough, see our guides on how to get a CPL in Michigan and the 2026 Michigan CPL cost breakdown. Already licensed and looking ahead? Check the Michigan CPL renewal page. Searching by area? You can start from a city like Detroit.

This article is educational information, not legal advice. Firearms laws and county procedures change, so always verify the current requirements with the Michigan State Police and your county clerk before relying on any detail here.

Ready to take a Michigan-compliant course the right way? Find a CPL class near you and reserve your spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a Michigan CPL class completely online?

No. A fully online Michigan CPL is not possible because the required 3-hour range portion and 30-round live fire must be completed in person under instructor supervision. At most, the classroom hours can be delivered as a live, real-time instructor-led virtual session, with the range done separately in person. Confirm format and county-clerk acceptance before enrolling.

Does Michigan allow the classroom portion of the CPL course online?

MCL 28.425j does not explicitly permit or prohibit online classroom delivery. In practice, many instructors offer the 5-hour classroom as a live, instructor-led virtual session, and county clerks generally accept those certificates. A self-paced, pre-recorded video course, however, is a risk and should not be assumed compliant. Always verify with your instructor and your county clerk.

Are out-of-state online CPL certificates valid in Michigan?

Generally no. Out-of-state online courses are built for other states’ rules and typically lack the Michigan-required in-person live fire. An out-of-state permit also stops being valid for you once you become a Michigan resident, so you would need a Michigan CPL with a compliant Michigan course.

How long is the Michigan CPL class and what does it include?

Michigan requires a certified course of at least 8 hours: at least 5 hours of classroom instruction and at least 3 hours on a firing range, during which you must fire at least 30 rounds. You receive a signed completion certificate, which is your proof of training when you apply at your county clerk.

Is there a written state exam to get a Michigan CPL?

No. Michigan does not require you to pass a written state exam. The requirement is completion of the certified 8-hour course. Some instructors include their own short quiz as part of their curriculum, but that is not a state mandate.