The Maryland Department of State Police, Licensing Division (MDSPLD) is constantly reviewing policy and procedures in order to enhance the experience of our customers, allied agencies, firearms instructors and dealers, all while being as fiscally responsible to the citizens of Maryland as possible. With this in mind, beginning October 1, 2020, the MDSPLD will discontinue printing Handgun Qualification License (HQL) Cards in their current form.
All HQL applicants approved for an HQL, on or after October 1, 2020, will receive, via US mail, a paper HQL, similar to the example below. This paper license, or an electronic copy of the license, must be presented to a dealer or any other person, prior to selling, renting, or transferring a handgun, in accordance with MD Public Safety §5-117.1 and COMAR 29.03.01.06. The discontinuation of printing of the HQL cards will expedite the final process of the HQL and ultimately decrease the time it takes for the applicant to receive their HQL.
Qualified Handgun Instructors (QHI) are also reminded that the individual student/applicant’s HQL account must be associated with the individual student/applicant’s personal email address.
For further information on the HQL, please visit our website by clicking the following link: https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/Firearms/HandgunQualificationLicense.aspx
You may also contact us, via email, at: msp.hql@maryland.gov, and Regulated Firearms Dealers may contact us by utilizing the Livehelp feature within their Licensing Portal.
If you have any further questions, feel free to call the Maryland State Police HQL Division at 410-653-4577
