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Independent directory. Not government. Not legal advice.

South Carolina LEOSA qualification

What the state requires, who can administer it, and how to stay current.

REVIEWED 17 OCT 2026 M. Alvarez, Sgt. (ret.) TCOLE-certified firearms instructor
Flag of South Carolina State of South Carolina
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How qualification works in South Carolina

South Carolina does not set one unified statewide qualification course. Under S.C. Code § 23-31-600, a qualified retired officer must hold an identification card plus certification that, within the most recent year, they have "met the standards established by the agency" — the statute's own language points to the former agency, not a single state-run course. The agency or department must give the retiree the opportunity to qualify and may charge for the actual cost. The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy hosts annual qualification opportunities and legal-update training that agencies can use, but it is a venue for individual agencies' own courses rather than one standardized state curriculum.

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What to carry afterward

Agency photo ID From the agency you separated from.
Proficiency certificate Dated within the past 12 months.1
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Where LEOSA doesn't apply

Private property where the owner prohibits firearms.
State & local government property buildings, parks and installations that restrict firearms.
Federal facilities courthouses, federal buildings and military installations.
School zones under the Gun-Free School Zones Act, unless separately licensed by your state.
Commercial aircraft LEOSA does not change federal aviation rules.
SOURCES
  1. 18 U.S.C. § 926C(d), identification required to carry
  2. South Carolina's primary source

Not legal advice. Confirm with South Carolina's POST commission or your former agency.

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