MARYLAND HQL LICENSING INSTRUCTIONS

Please follow the steps below to obtain your Handgun Qualification License

 

STEP 1:  TAKE A MARYLAND HANDGUN QUALIFICATION (HQL) COURSE.

• The HQL course should be a minimum of four-hours.

  • The course consists of handgun nomenclature, firearm safety in the home, shooting fundamentals and Maryland State Laws.

 This course is for regulated firearms only.

REGULATED FIREARMS CONSIST OF HANDGUNS:  both semi-automatics and revolvers. Lower receivers to build AR-15’s are also considered regulated; therefore, an HQL is needed, however not for an AR-15 that is in the form of a complete build. Shotguns, and long rifles, are NOT regulated.
 

STEP 2:      You need to get FINGERPRINTED for the HQL

A.  There are other  agencies  and companies who offer fingerprinting services. 

   B. Go to Maryland State Police website to locate Fingerprinting companies.

Link to other agencies for fingerprinting: http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/fingerprint.shtml

 

STEP 3:   QUALIFY ON ONE OR TWO OF THE REGULATED FIREARMS ON A GUN RANGE.

A.    As your Instructor, I will observe to ensure that student is exercising good safety techniques and shooting fundamentals. Further, I will be beside you while shooting, guiding you as you perform these tasks. Further, as SAFETY is an integral part of the shooting range, I will be pointing out range safety and shooting fundamentals.

 

STEP 4:    YOU WILL GO TO MARYLAND STATE POLICE www.mdsp.com. REFER TO THE SCREENSHOTS.

A.    This will take you to Maryland State Police website.
B.    Once on Maryland State Police website, you will click on Licensing Division on the left of the page.
C.    Scroll down to the RED BUTTON (CLICK HERE) and Click.

D.    Next you will fill out the Demographic Application and pay the $50 fee through the Maryland State Police website, using a Credit Card.

(i) Once you enter your personal information, my Instructor ID QHIC-2013-0245 and the fingerprint number, you will click Submit, and the information will be directed to the Instructor Portal. Your personal information and password will NOT come to me, but I will then select YES/NO whether the student passed the course.

 
STEP 5:  Once I have submitted your course completion information to Maryland State Police, they will conduct a

background check.

A.    Once the background check is complete, you will receive the HQL in the mail in approximately 2-4 weeks.

​

STEP 6:   COMPLETE THIS STEP ONLY WHEN YOU ARE READY TO PURCHASE YOUR FIREARM.

                1. Once you receive the HQL card, you are ready for the next step which is filling out the 77R Form.

A.  It is now online via Maryland State Police website.
B.   Again, GOOGLE or go directly to Maryland State Police.

        This link takes you to Maryland State Police website.
C.   Scroll down to the BLUE BUTTON AND CLICK.  This is the 77R Form.

       Complete this Form, making sure you enter the correct email address.
D.    Once completed you will receive shortly an email with two sets of numbers: 

                              a PIN NUMBER and   an  ACCOUNT NUMBER.

 

STEP 7:    PURCHASING YOUR FIREARM

1. When you go to the gun store/FFL dealer, you will need to have in hand the following 3 items:  

(1)    Your HQL card
(2)    Quick access to your 77R Numbers (2 sets)
(3)    Driver’s License
The only form necessary in this process is the ATF Form 4473 (Alcohol Tobacco Firearms), which is provided to you by the gun dealer. (ONCE YOU COMPLETE STEPS 1 – 3 ABOVE, THEY WILL GIVE YOU THE FORM)

​

STEP 8:  For regulated firearms, there is a seven-day wait, and on the eighth day, you will receive an email from

                Maryland State Police stating that you have not been DISAPPROVED.

*****You are now ready to purchase your firearm.

​NOTES:

**My instructor ID is on the HQL certificate, also my INSTRUCTOR ID - QHIC-2013-0245.  Maryland State Police phone:   410-653-4500---HQL Division.

​

***Students have 30 days to ask for my assistance in obtaining the HQL.  If you do not take the necessary steps to obtain your HQL, then please contact Maryland State Police for help.