I am or was ( fill in occupation here ), so can I get an exemption  from having to take a course to get a CCW permit?

NO Except for certain active law enforcement officers (LEOs), who may carry a duty weapon and a concealed backup gun, no occupation necessarily or automatically qualifies you as eligible to carry a concealed firearm in Nevada. You still need a permit, and you are still subject to the requirements of  NRS 202.3657 which requires you to: Demonstrate competence with revolvers, each specific semiautomatic firearm to which the application pertains, or revolvers and each such semiautomatic firearm, as applicable, by presenting a certificate or other documentation to the sheriff which shows that he: (1) Successfully completed a course in firearm safety approved by a sheriff in this State; or OR (2) Successfully completed a course in firearm safety offered by a federal, state or local law enforcement agency, community college, university or national organization that certifies instructors in firearm safety. Note: All such courses must meet the standards of the Nevada Sheriff's and Chief's Association (NSCA). Currently, these courses are - at minimum - 8 hours in length.