I'll try and dig up the info. It isn't just any course. It needs to be an official course recognized by OR. They have one (that's paid) but they also accept certain states' versions. MD was the one I recall.
Good find!
Here is some info about course requirements from ORS 166.291(f):
166.291. (1) The sheriff of a county, upon a person’s application for an Oregon concealed handgun license, upon receipt of the appropriate fees and after compliance with the procedures set out in this section, shall issue the person a concealed handgun license if the person:
(a)(A) Is a citizen of the United States; or
(B) Is a legal resident alien who can document continuous residency in the county for at least six months and has declared in writing to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services the intent to acquire citizenship status and can present proof of the written declaration to the sheriff at the time of application for the license;
(b) Is at least 21 years of age;
(c) Is a resident of the county;
(d) Has no outstanding warrants for arrest;
(e) Is not free on any form of pretrial release;
(f) Demonstrates competence with a handgun by any one of the following:
(A) Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife or a similar agency of another state if handgun safety was a component of the course;
(B) Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course if handgun safety was a component of the course;
(C) Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by law enforcement, community college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or a law enforcement agency if handgun safety was a component of the course;
(D) Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, reserve law enforcement officers or any other law enforcement officers if handgun safety was a component of the course;
(E) Presents evidence of equivalent experience with a handgun through participation in organized shooting competition or military service;
(F) Is licensed or has been licensed to carry a firearm in this state, unless the license has been revoked; or
(G) Completion of any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a firearms instructor certified by a law enforcement agency or the National Rifle Association if handgun safety was a component of the course;
(g) Has never been convicted of a felony or found guilty, except for insanity under ORS 161.295, of a felony;
(h) Has not been convicted of a misdemeanor or found guilty, except for insanity under ORS 161.295, of a misdemeanor within the four years prior to the application;
(i) Has not been committed to the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 426.130;
(j) Has not been found to be mentally ill and is not subject to an order under ORS 426.130 that the person be prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm as a result of that mental illness;
(k) Has been discharged from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for more than four years if, while a minor, the person was found to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for having committed an act that, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence, as defined in ORS 166.470;
(L) Has not been convicted of an offense involving controlled substances or participated in a court-supervised drug diversion program, except this disability does not operate to exclude a person if:
(A) The person has been convicted only once of violating ORS 475.864 (3) and has not completed a court-supervised drug diversion program under ORS 135.907; or
(B) The person has completed a court-supervised drug diversion program under ORS 135.907 and has not been convicted of violating ORS 475.864 (3);
(m) Is not subject to a citation issued under ORS 163.735 or an order issued under ORS 30.866, 107.700 to 107.735 or 163.738;
Has not received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States; and
(o) Is not required to register as a sex offender in any state.
(Emphasis added.)
Here is the link to the NRA course info:
NRAInstructors.org - Portal for NRA certified Instructors, NRA Education and Training
I am not a lawyer. However, I would have no qualms about presenting my certificate from the NRA Basic Pistol course that I completed. It was taught by NRA-certified instructors at the Tacoma Rifle and Revolver Club (TRRC). It was done over a Saturday and Sunday, at the Tacoma range. I have to tell you it was a reasonablly-priced, great class, with a great group of knowledgeable and personable instructors. I know that I learned a lot about pistol safety and proper pistol etiquette. It is being offered again toward the end of February 2013, class size is limited. (Disclosure: I have no affiliation with TRRC, other than taking the class at their facility last year.)
TRRC link:
Tacoma Rifle and Revolver Club, University Place Washington, an NRA affiliate
Still haven't found any info about the possibility of Sheriff Palmer traveling to the Puyallup WAC show in the near future. Perhaps a buddy and I will have to cruise down to Canyon City, Oregon this upcoming spring??
Happy trails.