Changes take effect January 1, 2011

Training for New Permit Application (from SF2379, Iowa Code 724.9)
Training for a new permit application can have occurred at any time prior to the application. For example, if an applicant received handgun training 20 years ago, or was in military service 35 years ago, that training could be applied to a new permit application. The new Code lists five options:

Training for Renewal Permit Application (from SF2379, Iowa Code 724.11(1))
Training for a renewal permit application must occur within the twelve months prior to the expiration of a currently held permit. Therefore, the training required for permit renewal must have occurred within the twelve months prior to the expiration date of the currently held permit. Since the renewal application must be filed at least thirty days prior to the expiration of the current permit, the effective training period is no greater than eleven months. Training is at the option of the applicant and can either be one of the five methods listed above for a new permit application, OR may be qualifying on a firing range under the supervision of an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association or certain other firearms training certifying bodies (such as the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy). The important difference here is that training for a renewal application must have occurred within the twelve months prior to the expiration of the currently held permit. This includes the use of the Form DD-214 which must show the acceptable military discharge within the twelve months prior to the expiration of the currently held permit. All renewal applications require a training component; there are no exceptions (no grandfather clause in the statute).

Acceptable Documentation for Training

Definition of "new application" and "renewal application"
“New application” means an application for an Iowa professional permit to carry weapons filed when the applicant does not currently hold an Iowa permit to carry weapons OR when the applicant does not file the application at least thirty days prior to the expiration of a currently held Iowa permit to carry weapons.
“Renewal application” means an application for an Iowa professional permit to carry weapons filed at least thirty days prior to the expiration of a currently held permit to carry weapons.
The following matrix provides information for various types of applications for permits to carry weapons on or after January 1, 2011 pursuant to Iowa Code Ch. 724 as amended by SF2379. All permit applications, whether new or renewal, require a training component; there are no exceptions (no grandfather clause in the statute). The type of training is the choice of the applicant and cannot be directed by the issuing officer. Qualification on a firing range is never a requirement; however, range qualification is an option for renewal.
If a current permit holder fails to file a renewal application within the specified time frames and accompanied by the documentation of timely training or range qualification and the appropriate fee, then the application is considered to be a new permit application. At that point, training and fee requirements for a new permit application apply.

* SF2379 is silent regarding the submission of applications prior to January 1, 2011. Until the law changes Jan. 1, 2011, an issuing officer does not appear to be obliged to accept an application that is submitted on an application form designed to reflect changes that will take effect Jan. 1, 2011, however, there also does not appear to be anything that would prohibit an issuing officer from accepting an application on the new form if the issuing officer wishes to do so as a means of preparing for implementation of the new permit to carry law.