ACT235 Basic Courses


Privately employed agents who carry firearms as an incidence to their employment, are required to successfully complete this course. The minimum standards consist of the following required subjects and prescribed 40 hours of instruction.

Equipment Required:

  • Handgun - at least .38 caliber or 9mm, no larger than .45 caliber. A Revolver or Semi-Automatic pistol as commonly carried by law enforcement. Firearm must be in safe, operable condition, subject to inspection.
  • Magazines or speed loaders- at least two magazines or speed loaders
  • Handgun ammunition - 200 rounds of FACTORY ammunition, NO RELOADS
  • 12 gauge ammunition - 4 rds. of 00 buckshot, 2 rds. of rifled slug
  • Holster - strong-side hip holster (with or without duty style belt)
  • Eye and ear protection
  • Baseball style cap

Students taking this class should already be proficient in using a firearm, as this IS NOT a beginner's course for new shooters.

Do not bring any firearms to class until instructed to do so.

I. Academic Module
Course Introduction, 1 hour
Legal Authority, 2 hours
Constitutional Restrictions, 1 hour
Principles of Justification, 3 hours
Pennsylvania Crime Code, 8 hours
Limited Authority, 2 hours
Incident Investigation Report, 1 hour
Testifying in Court, 1 hour
Skills Training, 4 hours
Final Examination and Closing, 3 hours

Total Hours: 26 hours
II. Firearms Module
Introduction to Firearms, 2 hours
Introduction to Combat Shooting, 2 hours
Introduction to Shotgun, 1 hour
Handgun Familiarization, 5 hours
Handgun Combat Shooting-Qualification, 3 hours
Familiarization with Shotgun, 1 hour

Total Hours: 14 hours
Total Course Hours: 40 hours

Privately employed agents who carry lethal weapons, other than firearms, as an incidence to their employment are required to successfully complete the 26 hour Academic Module listed above.


Location: LCCC - Public Safety Training Institute, 1211 Public Safety Drive, Nanticoke, PA 18634
Tuition: $275.00 w/ firearms, $250.00 w/o firearms. If you are registering for Act 235 without firearms, please call 570-740-0637.

Start DateEnd DateDays/TimesSessionsHoursPA State Police Letter of Approval must be obtained before registering for an ACT 235 course. Submit approval letter to email: publicsafety@luzerne.edu
*Also, see Enrollment Process
05/13/202405/23/2024Mon., Tue., Wed., Thur., Sat.
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (M-TH); 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (S)
940Call 570-740-0637 to register
07/20/202407/29/2024Sat., Sun., Mon.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm (S, SU); 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (M)
640Call 570-740-0637 to register
08/05/202408/15/2024Mon., Tue., Wed., Thur., Sat.
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (M-TH); 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Sat)
940Call 570-740-0637 to register
09/21/202409/30/2024Sat., Sun., Mon.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm (S, SU); 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (M)
640Call 570-740-0637 to register
10/19/202410/28/2024Sat., Sun., Mon.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm (S, SU); 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (M)
640Call 570-740-0637 to register
11/11/202411/21/2024Mon., Tue., Wed., Thur., Sat.
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (M-TH); 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Sat)
940Call 570-740-0637 to register
12/14/202412/23/2024Sat., Sun., Mon.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm (S, SU); 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (M)
640Call 570-740-0637 to register