Short answer: No. As of 2026, Michigan law does not require you to take a class to renew your Concealed Pistol License (CPL). You do not have to retake the 8-hour pistol-safety course you completed the first time. This is one of the most common myths we hear from Michigan permit holders, and it’s worth clearing up before you spend money you don’t need to.
That said, “no class required” doesn’t mean “no requirements at all.” There’s an important nuance involving a few hours of training review and range time. Let’s walk through exactly what the law asks of you, what it doesn’t, and how to renew the right way.
The myth: “I have to retake the whole CPL class”
When you first applied for your CPL, you completed a state-recognized pistol-safety course: at least 8 hours of instruction (5 hours in the classroom and 3 hours on the range, including firing a minimum of 30 rounds). Many people assume that course resets every renewal cycle. It does not.
Under Michigan’s renewal statute (MCL 28.425l), renewers are not required to retake that 8-hour class, do not need a new instructor certificate, and do not need to enroll with a training provider at all. If someone tells you a formal class is mandatory to renew, that is not what current Michigan law says.
What the law actually requires: a self-certification
Instead of a class, Michigan asks renewal applicants to certify (formally attest) that, within the 6 months before applying, they completed two things:
- At least 3 hours reviewing the training materials covered in your CPL training, and
- At least 1 hour of firing range time.
This is a self-certification you make on the renewal form. No class, no instructor signature, and no completion certificate are required to satisfy it. You’re attesting that you did the review and range practice on your own. That said, it’s smart to keep a personal record (dates, range receipts) in case you’re ever asked, and to take the requirement seriously: it exists to keep your skills and legal knowledge current, which genuinely matters when you carry.
Don’t confuse the training with the renewal application
Here’s where people get tripped up. There are two separate things:
- The training review + range hour (described above) — something you do yourself before applying.
- The renewal application — the actual paperwork you submit to renew the license.
Unlike a first-time CPL (which must be filed in person with your county clerk), a renewal can be filed at your county clerk or through the Michigan State Police online CPL renewal system. Your county clerk typically mails a renewal notice about 6 months before your license expires, and that notice includes a PIN you’ll use to renew online. For a full walkthrough of the renewal steps, fees, and timing, see our Michigan CPL renewal guide.
Renewal timing, fingerprints, and fee
A few practical points to keep in mind, all current as of 2026:
- When to renew: You can apply no more than 6 months before your license expires, and no more than 1 year after it expires.
- Fingerprints: Generally not required at renewal if your current CPL was issued after January 1, 2006 and hasn’t been expired for more than one year.
- Renewal fee: $115 to the county clerk as of 2026. Note: a bill to reduce the renewal fee has been moving through the Michigan Legislature in the 2025–2026 session, so the amount may change — confirm the current fee with your county clerk before you pay.
So when would you actually want a class?
You’re not required to take a class, but some renewers choose to anyway, and there are good reasons to consider it:
- You haven’t been to the range in a while. An instructor-led session is an easy, structured way to get your live-fire practice in and brush up on fundamentals.
- You want a refresher on the law. Michigan firearm law, deadly-force rules, and reciprocity all evolve. A class is a clean way to get current.
- Reciprocity has shifted. The list of states that honor a Michigan CPL changes over time — Nevada, for example, dropped recognition of Michigan permits in mid-2025. Never treat any reciprocity list as permanent; check our Michigan CPL reciprocity page and verify with the destination state before you travel.
- You want to refresh on where you can’t carry. Our Michigan pistol-free zones guide covers the places carry is restricted.
An instructor-led refresher can also conveniently knock out the range hour and review hours you’re certifying anyway — and give you documentation while you’re at it.
This is general educational information, not legal advice. Michigan firearm law and fees can change — always verify the current requirements with your county clerk and the Michigan State Police (michigan.gov/msp) before you apply.
Want an instructor-led refresher or guaranteed range time before you renew? Browse Michigan instructors and book a session near you on our find a class page. Whether you need a full refresher or just structured range practice, it’s the simplest way to walk into your renewal confident and prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to take a class to renew my CPL in Michigan?
No. As of 2026, Michigan law does not require you to take a class or retake the original 8-hour pistol-safety course to renew your CPL. Instead, you self-certify on the renewal form that, within the 6 months before applying, you spent at least 3 hours reviewing your CPL training materials and 1 hour at the firing range. Always verify current requirements with your county clerk.
What are the Michigan CPL renewal requirements in 2026?
You must certify completing at least 3 hours reviewing CPL training materials and at least 1 hour of range time within the 6 months before you apply. You can apply up to 6 months before expiration (or up to 1 year after), renew at your county clerk or through the Michigan State Police online portal, and pay the renewal fee (around $115 as of 2026, though a fee-reduction bill is pending). Fingerprints generally aren’t required if your CPL was issued after January 1, 2006 and hasn’t been expired more than a year.
Can I renew my Michigan CPL online?
Yes, in most cases. Unlike a first-time application (which must be filed in person with your county clerk), a renewal can be done through the Michigan State Police online CPL renewal system using the PIN included in the renewal notice your county clerk mails you about 6 months before expiration. You can also renew in person at the county clerk’s office.
Is there a written test to renew a Michigan CPL?
No. There is no state-mandated written exam to renew (or to first obtain) a Michigan CPL. The renewal is based on your self-certification of training review and range time, not a test score. Some first-time instructors may include a quiz in their own course, but that’s a provider policy, not a state requirement.
Do I still need an instructor’s certificate to renew?
No. The renewal training review and range hour are self-certified by you — no class, instructor signature, or completion certificate is required. It’s still wise to keep your own records (dates and range receipts) in case you’re ever asked to show you met the requirement.