Applications are not always available at the Sheriff's Dept. In Florida you apply through the Dept of Agriculture. However, the Sheriff's Dept should be able to direct you to the right source. In many cases the apps are available online. Then there's the matter of the finger prints. Florida will mail you the print card to have down at your own local S/O. In Nevada they requested me to come in to the S/O so they could do the prints. Again, call your local S/O with your questions and they can direct you. I'm surprised your training instructor didn't provide that info during your class.