To get a concealed carry permit, you generally need to be at least 21, be a legal resident of the state where you’re applying, pass a state and federal background check, complete an approved firearms training course, and submit an application with fingerprints and fees to your county sheriff or state police. Processing usually takes 30 to 90 days. The specifics vary by state, and federal law sets a floor of disqualifying conditions that apply no matter how permissive your state is.
Who Is Eligible
The core requirements look similar almost everywhere. You must be at least 21 in most states, though a handful issue permits at 18 under limited circumstances such as active military service. You must be a legal resident of the state where you’re applying and lawfully present in the United States.
On top of state rules, federal law bars certain people from possessing firearms at all, which means they cannot obtain a concealed carry permit. Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), you are prohibited if you:1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 922 – Unlawful Acts
- Have a felony conviction, meaning any crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment, whether or not you served time.
- Are a fugitive from justice.
- Use or are addicted to a controlled substance. This includes marijuana, even in states where it is legal, because federal law still classifies it as a controlled substance.
- Have been adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental institution.
- Are subject to a qualifying domestic restraining order.
- Have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
- Were dishonorably discharged from the military.
- Have renounced U.S. citizenship.
The definition of “crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year” is broader than most people expect. It can sweep in state misdemeanors that carry a possible sentence over 12 months, even if you were never sentenced anywhere near that long.
Shall-Issue and What Bruen Changed
States that require a permit historically split into two camps. In shall-issue states, the issuing authority must grant your permit once you meet the objective legal criteria. In may-issue states, officials had discretion to deny a permit based on their own assessment of your character or whether you had shown a special need for self-defense.
That distinction shrank considerably in 2022, when the Supreme Court ruled in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen that New York’s requirement to show “proper cause” for a permit violated the Second Amendment. The government cannot condition a concealed carry permit on a subjective showing of need. Some formerly may-issue states still impose more requirements than typical shall-issue states, but the “prove you need it” test is off the table.
Training You Must Complete
Most states that issue permits require you to complete a training course before you apply. The pattern is consistent: classroom instruction followed by live-fire range time. Classroom hours cover the legal standards for using deadly force, self-defense law, and safe storage.
The live-fire portion requires you to show that you can safely handle and shoot a handgun under a certified instructor’s supervision. Depending on the state, you may need to hit targets at set distances or clear a malfunction. Total training time ranges from as little as four hours to 16 hours or more, with states like New York on the higher end. Instructors typically hold certifications from the National Rifle Association or a state-approved law enforcement training program.
When you finish the course, your instructor issues a certificate of completion. Keep the original. Some states require you to submit the original with your application rather than a copy.
How to Apply
Applications are usually filed with the sheriff’s office in your county of residence or through a state-level agency like the state police. Some states offer online portals; others still require an in-person visit or certified mail.
Documents to Gather
- Government-issued photo ID showing your current residential address.
- The original training certificate from your completed firearms safety course.
- Fingerprints, taken at the sheriff’s office or a licensed third-party vendor. This is what triggers the FBI background check.
- Passport-style photographs, if your jurisdiction requires them for the physical permit card.
- A personal history form covering past residential addresses, employment history, and in some states, character references.
Fill out the application carefully. Omitting a past address or failing to disclose a prior arrest, even one that was dismissed, can result in a denial. When in doubt, disclose more rather than less.
Fees and Timing
Application fees vary widely. Some states charge under $50, while large urban jurisdictions can charge several hundred dollars once fingerprinting and administrative fees are added. Budget somewhere between $50 and $350 as a realistic national range, and check your issuing agency’s fee schedule before applying. Payment methods differ too: some offices accept only money orders or cashier’s checks, while others process electronic payments.
Once you submit, expect a review period of roughly 30 to 90 days. The agency runs your fingerprints through federal and state criminal databases, verifies your application details, and checks for disqualifying records. You will receive a written notice of approval or denial, usually by mail. A denial notice should explain the legal basis and tell you how to appeal.
Do You Need a Permit if Your State Allows Permitless Carry
As of 2026, 29 states allow adults who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms to carry a concealed handgun without a government-issued permit. You may hear this called constitutional carry or permitless carry. Rules differ from state to state, including minimum age thresholds that range from 18 to 21 and whether the law extends to non-residents passing through.
Even if you live in one of these states, a permit is still worth having for two practical reasons. First, a home-state permit is usually the only way to legally carry when you travel, because reciprocity agreements are tied to permits, not to your state’s permitless-carry law. Second, holding a valid permit exempts you from the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act’s prohibition on possessing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, a restriction that would otherwise apply every time you drive past one.2Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Gun Free School Zones Some states also waive the mandatory waiting period on firearm purchases for permit holders.
Where You Can and Cannot Carry
A permit does not give you blanket permission to carry everywhere. Several categories of locations remain off-limits regardless of your permit status.
Federal Prohibited Locations
Federal buildings are off-limits under 18 U.S.C. § 930. Bringing a firearm into a federal facility is punishable by up to one year in prison, and up to five years if the firearm was intended for use in a crime. Federal courthouses carry a separate penalty of up to two years.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 930 – Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities
Post offices and their surrounding parking lots are also prohibited under federal regulation, which bans both open and concealed carry on postal property.4eCFR. 39 CFR 232.1 – Conduct on Postal Property
State-Level Restrictions
Every state maintains its own list of restricted places. Common examples include courthouses, bars and establishments that primarily serve alcohol, polling places on election day, hospitals, amusement parks, and houses of worship (though some states explicitly allow carry in churches unless the property owner posts otherwise). The details differ enough that checking your jurisdiction’s specific list is essential.
Private property owners can also prohibit firearms on their premises, typically through posted signage. In some states, ignoring a “no firearms” sign is a criminal offense. In others, the worst that happens is you are asked to leave and face a trespassing charge if you refuse.
Traveling With Your Permit
Reciprocity agreements between states let you carry across state lines, but only if the destination state recognizes your home state’s permit. These agreements form a patchwork. Some states honor permits from nearly every other state; others recognize only a narrow list. Before traveling, verify whether your permit is recognized in every state along your route, not just your destination.
When you need to drive through a state that does not recognize your permit, the Firearm Owners Protection Act provides a limited federal safe-harbor. Under 18 U.S.C. § 926A, you can legally transport a firearm through any state as long as you could lawfully possess it at both your starting point and your destination. The firearm must be unloaded and stored where it is not readily accessible from the passenger compartment. If your vehicle has a trunk, use it. If not, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container that is not the glove compartment or center console.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 926A – Interstate Transportation of Firearms
This protection covers transport only. It does not let you stop overnight, run errands, or otherwise linger in a state where your permit is not valid. Travelers who have made extended stops in restrictive jurisdictions have been arrested despite claiming FOPA protection, so treat it as a pass-through provision, not a substitute for reciprocity.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Marijuana Cards
Most states prohibit carrying a concealed firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Some set specific blood-alcohol thresholds; others impose a zero-tolerance standard that treats any measurable impairment as a violation. Many states also ban carrying inside bars and establishments whose primary business is serving alcohol for on-site consumption.
The controlled-substance rule creates a trap for medical marijuana cardholders. Even in states where marijuana is legal for medical or recreational use, federal law still classifies it as a controlled substance. Because 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) prohibits any “unlawful user of or addicted to” a controlled substance from possessing a firearm, a medical marijuana card can disqualify you from both possessing firearms and holding a concealed carry permit under federal law.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 922 – Unlawful Acts
What to Do During a Police Stop
What you are legally required to do when a police officer stops you depends on where you are. Roughly a dozen states impose a proactive “duty to inform,” meaning you must immediately tell the officer you are carrying a firearm when the encounter begins, without waiting to be asked. Other states require disclosure only if the officer asks. The remaining states have no statewide duty to inform, though local ordinances may still apply.
Regardless of the legal requirement, experienced carriers generally volunteer the information early. A calm, straightforward statement at the start of a traffic stop reduces the chance of escalation if the officer spots the firearm later. Keep your hands visible, avoid reaching toward the firearm, and follow the officer’s instructions.
Most states also require you to have your physical permit on your person whenever you are carrying, along with valid photo identification. Failing to produce the permit when asked can result in a fine or citation even if you are otherwise legally permitted to carry.
Keeping Your Permit Valid
Permit duration varies by state. The most common validity period is five years, though some states issue permits for as little as one year and a few offer lifetime permits. Check your permit card for the expiration date and set a reminder well in advance. Carrying on an expired permit is treated the same as carrying without one in most jurisdictions.
Renewal is generally simpler than the initial application. You’ll fill out an updated form, pay a renewal fee, and undergo a fresh background check. Some states require a shorter refresher training course; others waive the training requirement entirely for renewals. Start the renewal process at least 60 to 90 days before expiration to avoid a gap in coverage.
If you move within your state, most jurisdictions require you to notify the issuing agency of your new address in writing. Some states set a specific deadline, commonly 30 days. Failing to report an address change can result in a fine and can create problems during a police encounter if the address on your permit does not match your ID.
Your permit can also be pulled after it is issued if you become a prohibited person. A new felony conviction, a domestic violence restraining order, a drug-related charge, or an involuntary mental health commitment will all trigger revocation. Some states also revoke permits for repeated violations of carry restrictions, such as bringing a firearm into a prohibited location. If your permit is revoked, you typically receive written notice and a chance to appeal, but you must stop carrying immediately once notified.