Retired Law Enforcement Officers Identification Act

On July 22, 2004, Congress enacted the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA). The intent of LEOSA was to exempt qualified current and retired law enforcement officers from state laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons while traveling from state to state. LEOSA requires that the retired law enforcement officer have a photographic identification card which identifies them as a retired law enforcement officer.  LEOSA also requires that the retired law enforcement officer maintain an annual qualification with their firearm.

In response to LEOSA, on December 13, 2005, the Governor signed Act 79, the Retired Law Enforcement Identification Act (RLEIA). RLEIA tasked the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) with establishing uniform identification and qualification cards for retired law enforcement officers in PA and a method of conducting annual firearms qualifications for such individuals.

The final regulations for the Retired Law Enforcement Identification Act (Act 79 of 2005) were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on September 12, 2009 and amended (as noted) in December 2014.  You may obtain forms and additional information by following links listed below.

Federal Law (Title 18 §926B-§926C, LEOSA)
Pennsylvania Law (Act 79 of 2005, RLEIA)
Regulations (37 PA Code, Chapter 221)

Roles and Responsibilities

Public (Law Enforcement) Agencies
Retired Officers
Certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors
Sheriff's Office

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions