NOVATO CCW Courses Instructed by aaO

At AAO, we are proud to be an authorized CCW instructor serving residents of Novato, CA and surrounding communities — offering Resident & Non-Resident, New & Renewal training in-person or online.

📍 Novato at a Glance
Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Marin County, Novato is known for its safe neighborhoods, scenic open spaces, and strong community values. Just south of Sonoma County, it offers a unique blend of small-town charm and easy access to the Bay Area’s larger hubs.

🚗 Neighboring Petaluma — Training Made Easy
Located just minutes from Petaluma, Novato residents can enjoy the convenience of high-quality CCW training without the headache of Bay Area traffic. Our Petaluma training facility offers a direct, stress-free route — saving you time compared to heading south into the city or east toward inland training centers. This means more time focused on mastering skills, and less time stuck on the road.

🤝 Our Commitment to the Community
We understand the unique needs of Novato-area firearm owners and are committed to delivering responsible, safety-focused instruction. Our programs meet — and often exceed — California state requirements, and we are 100% SB2 compliant, with all the latest Penal Code updates pertaining to CCW integrated into our curriculum. Every student receives relevant, up-to-date training that reflects current laws and best practices.

🏛️ Why Train with AAO
Choosing AAO means learning from instructors who are deeply connected to the North Bay community — people who live here, train here, and are committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe. Whether you’re applying for your first CCW or renewing your permit, you’ll receive professional, compliant, and locally relevant training every step of the way.

At AAO, our instructors bring unmatched experience and a commitment to respectful, real-world California CCW training — without the drill sergeant attitude. We combine law enforcement expertise, civilian defensive carry knowledge, and California CCW permit compliance to deliver the gold standard in Bay Area concealed carry instruction.

🔵 Two active law enforcement firearms instructors — bringing current, on-the-job tactical expertise to every concealed carry class.

Whom are California DOJ-certified CCW instructor's

🟢 One retired Law Enforcement Range Master — 24 years of service, ensuring precision firearms training and range safety at the highest level. Who is a California DOJ-certified CCW instructor.

🟣 Four female CCW instructors — including one recently retired after 25 years in law enforcement, providing diverse perspectives and relatable coaching for concealed carry students. Whom are California DOJ-certified CCW instructor's.

🟠 Lead Instructor — Long-time California DOJ-certified CCW instructor, passionate about responsible carry, situational awareness, and public safety.

🔴 Red Dot Optics Experts — Every instructor is a certified Red Dot Optics instructor, with two holding POST-certified Red Dot Instructor credentials for advanced handgun optics training.

🟡 CRPA Train-the-Trainer Credentials — Two instructors certified to train other firearms instructors, ensuring AAO’s methods meet the highest professional CCW training standards.

🟤 Certified Stop the Bleed Instructors — Every member of our team is trained to teach lifesaving trauma care, preparing students to defend life — and save it.

At AAO, we are deeply committed to your CCW training, your safety, and your success. Whether you’re new to concealed carry, seeking a CCW renewal course, or looking for advanced firearms skills, our team delivers professional, personalized instruction that goes beyond state requirements — serving students across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

At AAO, we deliver a unique and highly effective training experience that’s unmatched in the CCW community. Our approach emphasizes professionalism, teamwork, and individualized coaching — NEVER “boot-camp” intimidation tactics.

From your first step into the classroom to your final round on the range, our entire team is dedicated to your growth, confidence, and safety.

• ⭐ Proven Expertise – Every AAO instructor has completed Train-the-Trainer programs, with several certified through the Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC).
   
• ⭐ Exceptional Standards – Our instructors must have at least 4,400 hours of combined classroom and range experience before joining our team.
   
• ⭐ Small Class Ratios – With a student-to-instructor ratio of less than 3:1, you’ll receive unmatched personal attention and real-time feedback.
   
• ⭐ Comprehensive Coaching – Our instructors stay by your side during live-fire qualifications, offering hands-on corrections and encouragement.
   

 Our CCW Program

 DOJ & SB2 Compliant ✅

Our CCW training gives you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to protect yourself and your loved ones — legally and responsibly. We combine core training topics with hands-on instruction so you can carry with confidence.

• California Penal Codes & Legal Responsibilities
   
• Situational Awareness & Conflict Avoidance
   
• Mental Health Awareness & Emotional Preparedness
   
• Firearm Safety & Medical Briefings
   
• Firearm Nomenclature, Grip, Stance & Target Acquisition
   
• Drawing from a Holster & Pre-Qualification Drills
   

Why it matters: These skills aren’t just for passing a test — they’re for keeping your family safe every day.
 

1. Firearm Safety
    
2. Pistol Nomenclature & Selecting a Defensive Pistol
    
3. Ammunition Knowledge & Defensive Ammunition Selection
    
4. Basic Defensive Pistol Skills & Shooting Techniques
    
5. Drawing from Concealment
    
6. Loading & Stoppage Remediation
    
7. Mindset, Responding to an Attack & the Aftermath
    
8. Carry Modes & Pistol Concealment
    
9. Firearm Cleaning & Maintenance
    
10. Safe Firearm Storage
     
11. Legal Transport & Securing Firearms in Vehicles
     
12. Where CCW Holders May Carry in California
     
13. Permissible Use of a Firearm
     
14. Lethal Force in Self-Defense — Legal Boundaries
     
15. Mental Health & Available Resources (1 Hour)
     
16. Written Exam
     
17. Live-Fire Drills

🏫 FACILITIES
We utilize FOUR TRAINING LOCATIONS to give students the BEST possible learning experience:

• PETALUMA — Our MAIN CLASSROOM for lectures, all Stop the Bleed courses, NRA & CRPA and BSIS classes.
   
• SANTA ROSA — Additional classroom for select training sessions.
   
• LIVE FIRE QUALIFICATION LOCATIONS — Guerneville, Petaluma, Sonoma, and Richmond.
   

⚠️ NOTE: Class and live-fire qualification locations may change during the year, so please check our [SCHEDULE HERE] for the most up-to-date information.

At AAO, we know life can be busy — that’s why we offer FLEXIBLE TRAINING OPTIONS to fit your schedule.

💻 ONLINE COURSES – Complete your training at your convenience with our easy-to-use online platform at 👉 CaliforniaCCWCourses.com. Learn at your own pace, on your own time.

🏫 IN-PERSON CLASSES – Need flexibility? No problem! Let us know your availability, and we’ll work with you to ensure you get your full 16 hours of training without added stress.

✅ NOVATO PD APPROVED – Novato PD has authorized and approved our 16-hour online New Issue course and 8-hour Renewal course, giving Novato applicants more flexibility than ever to meet their CCW training requirements.

✔️ Your training should work for you — not the other way around.

At AAO, the price you see is the final price — no extra charges, no hidden fees. Whether you’re taking our New issue or Renewal CCW course, you can trust that the cost is exactly what’s listed.

💳 We gladly accept all forms of payment for your convenience.

💪 AAO is committed to keeping training accessible — we haven’t raised our prices in the past three years, and we have no plans to raise them in the near future. 

At AAO, we’re more than just an instructor team — we’re your partners in learning. Whether you have a complex question or the simplest one, we’re always here to help.

Your success is our mission, and we’re committed to supporting you before, during, and after your training.

📢 See What Our Students Are Saying!
Read real feedback from those who’ve trained with us.

Student Reviews