Posted: 8/6/2025 2:39:57 PM EDT
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There's a company selling LEOSA cards, that a firearms instructor signs off on stating that you passed the qualification for LEOSA. Just a card with a signature. I have a LEOSA ID issued by TX DPS with my picture. Anyone know if there's something new where you don't necessarily get or need a card from a state authority for LEOSA? |
| I have always had to shoot a qualification course, then get the qualification card. If it would be legal and stand up in a court of law, I would love to not have to qualify all the time. But the last thing I would want to deal with would be the accusation that I was carrying a firearm illegally, that the qualification card was invalid because I didn't shoot a qualifying course, or any other reason some over zealous attorney could try and use to show I was not carrying legally. |
| If your one of our retires you get a retired ID. If you retired from some other place you get a letter on letter head saying you shot and passed the qualification. |
Peter had been right, always right; the power to cause pain is the only power that matters, the power to kill and destroy, because if you can't kill then you are always subject to those who can, and nothing and no one will ever save you.”
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My card came from DEA. They gave it to me when I retired. I carry it with the certification card that I passed the yearly qualification in my state (done as a courtesy to federal agents by one of our state LE agencies). I also have my on duty credentials, stamped with "retired", which look a little fancier, which I carry to places like NJ or NY where I think they need to see something like that. |
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Originally Posted By downrivertrash: There's a company selling LEOSA cards... Anyone know if there's something new where you don't necessarily get or need a card from a state authority for LEOSA? Selling? That seems a little fishy, but I only have experience with one agency. I get sent a qualification card every year for free. What's the name of this "company?" I only know about how we do it over here and you better have your ID and qual card on you if you're carrying. |
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Originally Posted By turbolarry: Selling? That seems a little fishy, but I only have experience with one agency. I get sent a qualification card every year for free. What's the name of this "company?" I only know about how we do it over here and you better have your ID and qual card on you if you're carrying. That's what I was thinking... Especially in light of a recent case in my organization where a guy resigned in lieu of termination. He was retirement eligible to begin with, but caught a OPR/IA case and took himself out before they had the chance to fire him. He was REAL concerned about his retirement badge and credentials...which he is NOT going to get. In the old days folks could weasel through the system if they had a "bro" or someone unscrupulous looking out for them but these days everything is SharePoint and the retirement badge/credential/LEOSA card request goes through an "integrity check" and direct to OPR/IA's mailbox. If you resign in lieu of termination...you shouldn't/don't get retirement badge and credentials, and by extension, LEOSA card. Anyway, in addition to retirement badge and credentials my organization (fed) issues it's own LEOSA which specifically states that it must be accompanied by a state LEOSA/qualification card. The agency LEOSA card has my name/picture while my state LEOSA card (Arizona) does not have a picture...but has height/weight/hair/eye color and employing agency. In addition to that I also carry a state CCW which likewise does not have a picture. In addition to all of that like everyone else I carry my license and a professional liability policy since there's no such thing as qualified immunity when you're retired! |
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Originally Posted By turbolarry: Selling? That seems a little fishy, but I only have experience with one agency. I get sent a qualification card every year for free. What's the name of this "company?" I only know about how we do it over here and you better have your ID and qual card on you if you're carrying. I retired in 2010. I have never been asked to show a qualification card. But, I basically only travel on a regular basis in former Confederate states. I do have one, but only because my kids live in New Jersey. I visit them once a year. |
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We issued our retirees ID cards that say RETIRED and put contact us for LEOSA qual status if needed. Last year whenever they qual'd, I just give them a business card with my info (or another range guy who did it), our state issued requal # and expiration, and the date of their qual. |
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If you're RETIRED, do this ... (4) during the most recent 12-month period, has met, at the expense of the individual, the standards for qualification in firearms training for active law enforcement officers, as determined by the former agency of the individual, the State in which the individual resides or, if the State has not established such standards, either a law enforcement agency within the State in which the individual resides or the standards used by a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State; And If you're RETIRED, carry this ... (A) a photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual separated from service as a law enforcement officer that indicates the person as having been employed as a police officer or law enforcement officer; and (B) a certification issued by the State in which the individual resides or by a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State that indicates that the individual has, not less than 1 year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State or a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that State to have met-- (I) the active duty standards for qualification in firearms training, as established by the State, to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm; or (II) if the State has not established such standards, standards set by any law enforcement agency within that State to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm. Maybe you won't get asked for anything, but you are supposed to have ID and a Qual card on you. Just sayin Stay safe |
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I retired from DEA at the end of May out here in Arizona. My agency sent me my retired credentials a couple weeks before I retired, and along with that was the “retired in good standing” card from my agency with my picture and signature on it as well. After I did my LEOSA qualification and sent my paperwork to Arizona DPS they sent me the qualified law-enforcement officer firearms proficiency card, which showed the day of my current qualification and my physical description but no picture or signature. So those two cards are what I carry with me if I’m carrying under LEOSA. I leave my retired credentials and badge at home almost all the time. Anyway, that’s just the way it works for me being a retired fed here in my state. It seems like everyone does it a little bit differently. |
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Originally Posted By ExFed1811: My card came from DEA. They gave it to me when I retired. I carry it with the certification card that I passed the yearly qualification in my state (done as a courtesy to federal agents by one of our state LE agencies). I also have my on duty credentials, stamped with "retired", which look a little fancier, which I carry to places like NJ or NY where I think they need to see something like that. Just noticed your post and pretty much said the same thing in mine. Lol. |
| My department gives me a copy of my qualification sheet, a department ID, and a badge. The documents have our Chief's personal cell number on it along with the main phone number for the department. Properly identifying me is a simple thing easily done on the side of the road. I find that most cops really don't care all that much beyond seeing some form of official ID. I keep a copy of the qualification sheet with my registration and insurance card in my car when traveling. |
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In my state many LEOSA course are done by individuals LEOs. Some courses are offered by agencies as well. The course of fire is standard but the cards vary and are not standard. I carry my retired ID, my LEOSA card and a handy reference to the text of the Federal statute and State law.  |
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I would assume “selling LEOSA cards” = a qualified instructor that the state OK’s for doing LEOSA quals, running you thru their qualification. So the money is for the service, not buying a card. Card just certifies you passed. My (larger) agency’s LEOSA qual cards are rinky dink laminated cards. Not even printed up like a retired ID card. Have to carry both anyhow. I actually now have LEOSA qual cards from 2 different states. Time to go renew the one from my agency though. |
a loaded gun won’t set you free, so you say…
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Some places where I qualified gave a really nice laminated card with my photo, another place gave me what looks like a credit card with a shield badge on it, the place I qualified yesterday gave me a paper card with the date, and statement that I met the leosa qualification requirements but no shield or photo. They also gave me my score sheet and suggested I photograph it into my phone. I keep it with my former agency id that has my photo and notes I am retired. |
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I recently had to go down this rabbit hole. I worked and retired from KY, have my retired badge and ID card from the department. KY State Police also issue a LEOSA ID card (along with facilitated state CCDW) with proof of annual qualification. The card is a credit card style, full color with a registration number, photo and expiration date. I moved to Indiana 6 months ago, 4 miles across state lines. IN has zero in place to issue a LEOSA ID. I now have a picture of my annual qual in my phone… no other option. |