How to Get a Concealed Carry Permit (2026): State-by-State Guide

Last updated April 12th 2026 · By Nick Hall, CCW permit holder in four states with 15+ years of concealed carry experience

Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Quick Answer: To get a concealed carry permit in 2026, you apply through your local sheriff or state police department, complete a state-approved training course (typically 4 to 16 hours of classroom plus live-fire qualification), submit fingerprints and a photo, pay between $40 and $150 in fees, and pass a NICS background check.

Processing time runs 30 days to 6 months depending on your state. Twenty-nine states now have constitutional carry, meaning a permit is not required for residents, but most carriers in those states still get a permit for reciprocity benefits when traveling.

The biggest mistake first-time applicants make is choosing the cheapest “concealed carry class” online, since many states do not recognize online-only courses, and you have to retake the class. Florida and Utah non-resident permits give you the widest reciprocity coverage if you live in a permit-required state.

Learning how to get a concealed carry permit isn’t complicated, but it’s also not the same experience in every state. The fees are different. The training requirements are different. The wait times are wildly different. And in a growing number of states, you don’t technically need a permit at all anymore. This guide breaks down the general process so you know what to expect, what it costs, and what can get you denied. None of this is legal advice. Check your specific state’s requirements before you do anything. Our constitutional carry states page lists every permitless carry state with details.

For a full picture of where your state falls on the political and legal spectrum around carry, check out our state-by-state gun law guide.

Concealed Carry Permit Types: Shall-Issue vs. May-Issue

Before anything else, you need to understand the two main permit frameworks. Shall-issue states are required by law to issue you a permit if you meet the objective criteria: background check, training, application fee, no disqualifying history. The issuing authority has no discretion. You qualify, you get the permit.

May-issue states used to be different. In those states, a sheriff or local authority could deny your permit even if you met all the requirements, based on whether they thought you had “good cause” to carry. That’s changed significantly. The Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision effectively struck down subjective “good cause” requirements, and nearly every formerly may-issue state has been forced to move toward shall-issue in practice. California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and a handful of others fought hard but ultimately had to comply.

Practical takeaway: if you live in the continental US and meet the legal requirements, you’re almost certainly going to get a CCW permit if you apply. The hoops still exist. There are just fewer of them blocking the door now.

Constitutional Carry: Why You Might Still Want a Permit

As of 2026, 29 states have constitutional carry (also called permitless carry), meaning you can legally carry a concealed firearm without a permit if you’re otherwise legally allowed to own a gun. That sounds like a reason to skip the whole permit process. It’s not.

Here’s why getting a permit still matters even in a constitutional carry state: reciprocity. Your home state might let you carry without a permit, but the moment you cross into a neighboring state that requires one, you need a CCW permit from somewhere they recognize. A Utah or Florida non-resident permit opens up far more states than just winging it on constitutional carry alone.

There’s also the practical side. Having a permit on your person when you’re stopped by law enforcement signals that you went through a formal process. Some officers appreciate that. Some states also extend additional rights or purchase benefits to permit holders. And if you travel frequently, a permit is just the safer call. See our concealed carry reciprocity map for the full breakdown of which states honor which permits.

How to Get a Concealed Carry Permit: The Application Process

Process varies by state, but the basic framework is consistent enough that you can know what you’re walking into. Most states run it through the county sheriff’s office or state police.

Step 1: Complete Your Training (Check State Requirements)

Almost every permit-issuing state requires a certified firearms training course before you can apply. The training must typically be completed by an approved instructor or organization. Don’t skip this step or assume any old gun course qualifies. More on training specifics below.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

You’ll need a valid government-issued ID proving you’re a state resident, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and your training certificate. Some states also want proof of range qualification as a separate document.

Step 3: Complete the Application

Most states have a paper application, and a growing number offer online options. Fill it out accurately. Lying on a permit application is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 922, same as lying on a 4473. Don’t do it.

Step 4: Fingerprints and Photo

Most states require a fingerprint card, either taken at the sheriff’s office or at a licensed fingerprinting service. Some states take your photo on-site. A few still use your driver’s license photo. Bring everything in one trip if possible to avoid making multiple visits.

Step 5: Pay the Fee and Wait

You’ll pay the application fee when you submit everything. Then you wait. CCW processing times vary enormously. Some states turn it around in two weeks. Others take six months or longer.

Training Requirements

Most states require somewhere between 8 and 16 hours of training. The typical format is a classroom component covering firearm laws, safe storage, use of force law, and basic gun handling, followed by a range qualification where you demonstrate you can actually hit something. Most qualifications aren’t demanding. You’re not shooting USPSA stages. You’re demonstrating basic proficiency at close range.

A few states have no training requirement at all for permit issuance. Arizona is a notable example. Others have minimal requirements, like a basic safety course with no live fire. On the high end, states like Hawaii (before and after Bruen’s impact filtered through) had extensive requirements. Know what your state requires before you sign up for a course.

Training courses from the NRA, USCCA, and various state-certified instructors are widely accepted. The instructor should be able to tell you upfront whether their course satisfies your state’s permit requirements. If they can’t answer that question clearly, find a different instructor. We have a roundup of quality options in our guide to concealed carry training courses.

One thing worth saying plainly: even if your state has no training requirement, take a course anyway. The legal situation around defensive use of force is genuinely complicated, and understanding when you can legally draw your firearm is as important as knowing how to use it.

What It Costs

Cost of getting a concealed carry permit breaks down into two buckets: the state fee and the training cost.

State permit fees range from around $25 in some states to over $200 in others. Most fall in the $50-$100 range. There’s often a separate fingerprinting fee on top of that, typically $10-$30. A few states tack on additional processing fees. California, predictably, runs higher. Some states have tiered fees based on the permit duration (2-year vs. 5-year).

Training typically runs $75-$150 for a standard 8-hour course. Private instruction or more thorough courses can run $200 or more. Some ranges bundle the course with range time and ammo, which is often a better deal than paying separately. You’ll also need to account for the ammo you burn during your range qualification, which is usually 50-100 rounds.

All in, budget $150-$400 for your first permit including training, fees, and incidentals. More in states with higher fees or mandatory fingerprinting services. Less in states with minimal requirements and low fees.

Processing Times

This is where things get frustrating depending on where you live. Processing times range from about two weeks in the fastest states to six months or more in some of the slower ones. The national average is probably somewhere around 60-90 days, but that number hides a lot of variation.

States with solid online application portals and dedicated permit units tend to process faster. Rural counties often process faster than urban ones, even within the same state, because they have less volume. States going through court-ordered permit reform (looking at you, New York and California) have had extended backlogs in recent years as they scaled up to handle increased application volume after Bruen.

Most states have a statutory deadline for processing your application, which means if they don’t act within a set period, the permit is considered issued by default. But enforcing that in practice can require you to file a mandamus action, which is more effort than most people want to go through. The realistic move is to submit your application correctly the first time and then be patient.

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permits for Maximum Reciprocity

Even if you already have a permit from your home state, a non-resident permit from a reciprocity-friendly state can meaningfully expand where you can legally carry. Three states are the most popular for this: Florida, Utah, and Arizona.

Florida Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit

Florida issues non-resident permits and it’s recognized in a large number of states. The training requirement is a basic firearms course. Applications are handled by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Processing can take 50-90 days. The fee is around $97 for non-residents.

Utah Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit

Utah’s permit has historically been one of the most widely recognized. The state requires a Utah-specific course taught by a certified instructor, which is widely available online or in person in most states. The fee is around $53.25 for non-residents. Utah’s permit doesn’t require live fire, which is either a feature or a flaw depending on your perspective.

Arizona Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit

Arizona issues non-resident permits with no training requirement. The fee is around $60. It covers a solid block of states. Given that Arizona is also a constitutional carry state, the permit infrastructure still exists specifically to serve travelers and those wanting additional reciprocity coverage.

Before banking on any non-resident permit for travel, verify current CCW reciprocity agreements. States change these agreements without much fanfare. Always check the destination state’s official government website, not a third-party list, before you travel.

What Disqualifies You from a Concealed Carry Permit

Federal law sets the floor for disqualifications, and most states follow or exceed it. The core federal prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. 922(g) apply:

A felony conviction is an automatic disqualifier. So is a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, even if it’s not a felony. This catches people off guard. A misdemeanor domestic assault conviction from years ago will still disqualify you. The same goes for a domestic violence restraining order that’s currently in effect.

Being adjudicated as mentally defective or having been involuntarily committed to a mental institution is a federal prohibitor. Note the word “adjudicated.” A voluntary mental health treatment or therapy history is not the same thing. Involuntary commitment is.

Unlawful drug use is a disqualifier. This includes marijuana, even if it’s legal in your state. Federal law still controls for firearm ownership. A current drug user cannot legally own or carry a firearm regardless of state law. This is an area where a lot of people are confused, and ignorance isn’t a defense.

Other federal disqualifiers include being a fugitive from justice, being an illegal alien, having been dishonorably discharged from the military, and having renounced U.S. citizenship. Some states add their own state-level disqualifiers on top of this, like certain misdemeanor convictions beyond domestic violence, DUI history, or pending felony charges.

If you have any history that could raise a question, talk to a firearms attorney before you apply. A denial goes on record and can complicate future applications.

Renewing Your CCW Permit

Most permits are valid for 4-5 years, though some states issue 2-year permits and a few issue lifetime permits. Renewal is generally simpler than the initial application. You typically skip the training requirement (or just need a brief refresher), pay a renewal fee (usually lower than the initial fee), and pass another background check. Some states allow online renewal.

Don’t let your permit lapse. Carrying on an expired permit is the same as carrying without a permit in most states. Set a calendar reminder at least 90 days before your expiration date. Some states mail renewal notices; many don’t. Don’t count on it.

If you’ve moved to a new state, your old permit may still be valid for reciprocity purposes in certain states, but you’ll need to get a new resident permit in your new home state. Most states give you 30-90 days after establishing residency to apply.

Tips for a Smooth Application

Read the instructions from your issuing authority before you show up. Every sheriff’s office has their own checklist. Following it exactly avoids the most common reason for delays: incomplete applications. Missing a signature, a wrong photo format, or an expired training certificate will kick your application back and cost you weeks.

Get your fingerprints taken at a place that does law enforcement-quality cards. A blurry or incomplete fingerprint card is a common rejection reason. Some sheriff’s offices do prints in-house. Others send you to a specific vendor. Ask before you show up with a card from CVS.

If your state offers an online application portal, use it. Paper applications get lost. Online submissions create a timestamped record and often process faster.

After you get your permit, carry it. If you haven’t chosen a holster yet, our best concealed carry holsters guide covers every carry position. Some states require you to have it on your person whenever you’re carrying. Others don’t, but having it available avoids any question during a law enforcement encounter. We have a full guide to concealed carry tips and techniques covering everyday carry logistics once your permit is in hand.

And if you haven’t settled on what you’re going to carry, our roundup of the best concealed carry handguns is a solid starting point. Getting the permit is step one. Compare carry gun prices on our gun deals page or use our price comparison tool to find the best price. Carrying a gun you can actually shoot accurately is step two.

About This Guide

This guide is compiled from primary state sources: attorney general offices, state police licensing divisions, and the text of the relevant statutes. I cross-reference against the NRA-ILA state gun law database, the USCCA reciprocity map, and Handgun Law PDFs that update weekly. Where any of those disagree, the statute wins.

I’ve personally been through the CCW application process in four different states over the past 15 years: Texas, Florida (non-resident), Utah (non-resident), and Pennsylvania. The practical advice in the “Tips” section comes from doing this repeatedly, not from reading a FAQ. The specific legal requirements change frequently, which is why I insist you verify with your state’s official sources before starting the process.

Legal disclaimer: This post is educational information only. It is not legal advice. Permit requirements, training standards, and disqualification criteria change regularly. Before applying, verify current requirements with your state’s attorney general or the issuing authority (usually the county sheriff or state police).

---

Concealed Carry Permit FAQ