N C handgun safety course and course on laws governing CC then to the range 80% of 50 rounds at 7 yds. pay the instructor something like 100- 125 bucks and the 80 to county sheriff which includes fingerprints and all checks and then about 70 to 90 days you get your permit if that is you haven't been denied. Time frame 0f 70-90 days depends on how busy the cc permit system is. Good for 5 years. Renewal is only 70 dollars and no fingerprints as long as you haven't let it expire. If you have then you start all over. You can as far as I know use anything to qualify and not restricted to any particular gun for carry.