$175 class tuition
This is CNC Academy’s listed tuition for the 16-hour first-time Illinois concealed carry certification course, offered in weekday and weekend formats.
First-time Illinois CCL
Know the core cost before you choose a date. CNC Academy lists first-time class tuition, the range fee, and the separate state application fee clearly, so you can plan without chasing down surprises.

Plan the full cost
When you are comparing an Illinois concealed carry class, the advertised tuition is only one part of the decision. For a first-time applicant, CNC Academy separates the cost into the class itself, the offsite range portion, and the state application. Seeing those pieces together makes it easier to budget for the full path instead of treating a required expense as an afterthought.
CNC Academy currently lists its 16-hour first-time certification class at $175. The academy also lists a $25 offsite range fee. The site shows a $150 Illinois state application fee, paid as part of your own licensing process, not as class tuition. Together, those three listed costs make a $350 core total. Your individual application remains your responsibility, so use current official Illinois guidance for eligibility, timing, and application requirements.
What each amount covers
The right class should be transparent about what is paid to the academy, what belongs to the range, and what belongs to the state.
This is CNC Academy’s listed tuition for the 16-hour first-time Illinois concealed carry certification course, offered in weekday and weekend formats.
This separate offsite fee covers the live-fire portion. Review the current class details for range-day preparation and required equipment.
This is the fee shown on CNC Academy’s site for the Illinois concealed carry license application. It is separate from training and handled through your own state application.
Class tuition, the listed range fee, and the state application fee add up to $350 before optional equipment rental or fingerprints.
Choose the schedule first
CNC Academy offers the same first-time training path in two formats. The weekday class is held over Tuesday and Wednesday sessions, while the weekend class is held over Saturday and Sunday. Both are 16-hour certification courses with the same listed $175 tuition. Pick the format that gives you the time to be present, prepared, and focused.
Before you reserve a seat, read the current booking details. Dates, availability, and what to bring can change. CNC Academy says a firearm is not needed on the first day. For the range portion, follow the academy’s current instructions and the range staff’s direction. Planning the date and the full cost together keeps the process straightforward.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. A practical option when a weekday schedule gives you more room to concentrate on the full course.
Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Choose this format when two weekend days are the better fit for your work and family schedule.
Set aside the separate $25 range fee and review what to bring. Equipment rental may be available for $25 if you need it.
Keep your course documentation organized, then handle your individual state application through the appropriate Illinois process.
Optional services are optional
Some students want help with equipment or fingerprints. CNC Academy currently lists optional equipment rental at $25 and optional on-site fingerprints at $70 to $75. Those services can be useful when they fit your situation, but they are not part of the core $350 total shown above.
The simplest approach is to start with the required path, then add only the services that remove a real obstacle for you. If you are uncertain about a particular item, call CNC Academy before booking. For personal licensing, eligibility, or application questions, check the current Illinois State Police guidance rather than relying on a general web answer.
Call CNC Academy about class details ›What the tuition supports
CNC Academy’s first-time class is designed for students pursuing Illinois concealed carry certification, not for people looking for a shortcut. The 16-hour course combines classroom instruction with a live-fire qualification component. Its listed curriculum includes personal protection planning, situational awareness, firearm safety, handgun operation, ammunition, grip, stance, trigger control, Illinois law, and the lawful use of force.
The price discussion matters because the course is more than a transaction. Students are setting aside time for training that asks for attention and responsibility. CNC Academy has trained Illinois residents since 2016 and has 348 five-star Google reviews from students. Its approach is direct: understand the class, plan the cost, arrive ready to learn, and keep the focus on safe, thoughtful decisions.
First-time class or renewal?
This page is for someone seeking a first Illinois concealed carry certification course. The listed $175 tuition applies to the 16-hour weekday or weekend class, plus the separate range fee and state application fee described above. If you are new to this process, start by choosing the schedule that you can fully attend.
Current license holders who need renewal training should not book a first-time class. CNC Academy lists a separate three-hour renewal course at $75, plus a $25 offsite range fee. Choosing the right course early keeps your cost and your training aligned with what you actually need.
If your goal is not certification but more comfort with safe handling, CNC Academy also offers a focused firearm safety class and one-on-one live-fire coaching. Those are different paths with different purposes. The best value comes from selecting the training that fits your current goal, not simply the shortest option.
Your next step
You want the 16-hour Illinois concealed carry training path and a clear view of its full core cost before you reserve a date.
Book a weekend class ›You need the shorter renewal course, not first-time certification training. Review renewal tuition and current available dates.
View renewal training ›Class cost FAQ
CNC Academy currently lists first-time concealed carry tuition at $175. The academy also lists a $25 offsite range fee. Separately, the Illinois concealed carry license application fee shown on CNC Academy’s site is $150. That puts the core class, range, and state application total at $350 before any optional services.
The $175 tuition is for CNC Academy’s 16-hour first-time Illinois concealed carry certification course. Students can choose the weekday Tuesday and Wednesday format or the weekend Saturday and Sunday format, subject to current availability. Review the class listing before booking for the latest details.
No. CNC Academy lists a separate $25 offsite range fee for first-time concealed carry students. The live-fire portion follows classroom instruction, and students should review the current class details so they know what to bring.
No. CNC Academy lists equipment rental at $25 as an optional extra. Optional fingerprints are also available on-site, with the current site listing a $70 to $75 range. These services are not part of the core class, range, and state application total.
No. Renewal students need a different course. CNC Academy currently lists renewal tuition at $75, plus a $25 offsite range fee. If you already hold an Illinois concealed carry license, review the renewal class instead of booking a first-time certification course.
Ready when you are
Review the current class listing, choose the schedule that fits, and arrive ready to put the time into responsible first-time training.