Initial Application for Certification

Step 1

• 18 years of age or older
• Pass a physical examination by a medical doctor
• Uncorrected vision of at least 20/70 in one eye and 20/200 in the other
• Corrected vision of at least 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other
• Pass hearing examination (permitted to use hearing aid)
• Pass a psychological examination administered by a licensed psychologist
• No conviction of a disqualifying criminal offense as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6105
• No conviction of misdemeanor of the first degree or higher
• No conviction of a crime of violence
• No active protection from abuse orders
• No previous involuntary mental health commitments

Step 2

Applicants who meet the criteria above should use the TACS System to complete an online application. Use your last name, full birthday, and full social security number to log in as a New User at the top of the screen. Once you are in the system select the Home Act 235 button and select the Basic Training Application. Scroll down to select “Start Application”.  Complete all required information on each screen and submit when you have finished. This will require a credit card payment of $50.00. 

Step 3

When you submit your application you will receive an automated email from Identigo/Morphotrust with instructions for scheduling your fingerprint session.  You must be fingerprinted at one of the approved Identigo/Morphotrust locations.  You will not receive the results of your fingerprints, these will be forwarded directly to the Lethal Weapons Certification Unit for review.

Step 4

When you submit your application you will also receive a confirmation email from the Lethal Weapons Certification Unit with instructions to download and print the physical and psychological examination forms. You must undergo a physical and psychological examination at your own expense. The physicians must be PA licensed and the physicians must submit completed and signed forms to the Lethal Weapons Certification Unit.

PHOTOGRAPHS: If you do not possess a valid PA driver’s license or are an out-of-state resident you must, in addition to the steps above, submit two (2) passport size photos to the Lethal Weapons Certification Unit at the address below.

Step 5

Once the Certification Unit has received your application, fingerprints, physical, and psychological examination, you will receive an approval or denial notification by email. If you receive official notification that you have been approved for training, you should schedule training at an Act 235 certified school. A list of certified schools can be found on the Certified Schools page.  It is your responsibility to schedule the training after receiving the approval letter.

Step 6

Upon completion of training, login to TACS using your last name, full birthday, and full social security number to submit the $30.00 certification fee by credit card payment. (We no longer accept checks or money orders.)

Fee Breakdown