The Chicago Police Department (CPD) uses a standardized handgun qualification course to ensure its officers meet marksmanship and safety requirements. This same qualification can be a valuable benchmark for CCW holders, armed professionals, and trainers who want to sharpen or evaluate handgun proficiency under pressure.
In this article, we’ll break down the official full-size CPD course, then show you how to replicate it with our free printable 1/3-scale target, designed for use at shorter distances on standard 8.5×11 paper.
Official Chicago PD Firearms Qualification (Full-Size Version)
Target
The course uses a silhouette target (commonly a B-27, Q, or TQ-21) with an 8.5 x 14-inch center mass overlay. Only hits within this scoring box count toward the final score.
Course Details
- 30 total rounds
- Duty officers draw from a secured holster
- Off-duty/retired officers start from low ready
- A passing score is 70% (21 hits out of 30)
- Reloads are not timed and may occur between stages
Full-Size Course of Fire
| Stage | Distance | Rounds | Time Limit | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 yards | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 2 | 5 yards | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 3 | 5 yards | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 4 | 5 yards | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 5 | 5 yards | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 6 | 5 yards | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 7 | 7 yards | 3 | 7 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 8 | 7 yards | 3 | 7 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 9 | 7 yards | 3 | 7 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 10 | 7 yards | 3 | 7 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 11 | 15 yards | 3 | 10 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 12 | 15 yards | 3 | 10 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
Optional: One of the 15-yard stages can be replaced with a 25-yard string of 3 rounds in 15 seconds.
Printable 1/3 Scale Version (Fits 8.5 x 11 Paper)
To help shooters practice at shorter indoor ranges, we’ve created a scaled-down version of the CPD course. It uses a 1/3-sized scoring box on a standard sheet of paper and adjusts the distances accordingly.
🎯 Download the Target
👉 Scroll To Bottom Of Page
Scaled Equivalent Distances
- 5 yards becomes 5 feet
- 7 yards becomes 7 feet
- 15 yards becomes 15 feet
Reloading
Just like the full-size course, reloads are not timed. Shooters may reload freely between stages. Each string is timed independently and does not include loading.
1/3 Scale Course of Fire (Same Structure, 30 Rounds)
| Stage | Distance | Rounds | Time Limit | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 feet | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 2 | 5 feet | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 3 | 5 feet | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 4 | 5 feet | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 5 | 5 feet | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 6 | 5 feet | 2 | 6 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 7 | 7 feet | 3 | 7 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 8 | 7 feet | 3 | 7 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 9 | 7 feet | 3 | 7 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 10 | 7 feet | 3 | 7 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 11 | 15 feet | 3 | 10 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
| 12 | 15 feet | 3 | 10 seconds | Draw or present and fire |
Scoring
Only hits inside the printed scoring box count.
The passing score remains 21 hits out of 30 (70%).
There is no extra credit for faster shooting — shooters must meet the time limits and land hits inside the box.
Final Thoughts
The Chicago PD qualification is a straightforward, practical pistol course that tests speed, control, and accuracy under pressure. Whether you’re an officer, private security professional, or concealed carrier, this course provides a solid framework for realistic handgun practice.
If you’re looking to train, certify, or improve your defensive shooting skills, the 1/3 scale printable version allows you to safely run this course even at short indoor distances.
🔒 Ready to Train or Qualify?
We offer firearms training, CCW certification, and security qualifications across the Denver metro area. You can also hire us to build custom qualification drills, targets, or serve as expert witnesses for use-of-force incidents.
✅ Book a Colorado Concealed Carry Class
✅ Compare Self-Defense Insurance Plans
