How Long Does It Take to Get a Concealed Carry Permit?
Quick Answer
2 weeks to 6 months depending on your state. Shall-issue states average 2–8 weeks, while may-issue states like California or New York can take 3–6 months or longer.
Typical Duration
Quick Answer
2 weeks to 6 months depending on your state's laws and processing system. The biggest factor is whether your state is "shall-issue" (must grant permits to qualified applicants) or "may-issue" (discretion-based). As of 2024, 29 states have constitutional carry (permitless carry), but many residents in those states still obtain permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Timeline by State Type
| State Type | Typical Timeline | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional carry (no permit needed) | 0 days (optional permit: 2–6 weeks) | Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Georgia |
| Shall-issue | 2–8 weeks | Pennsylvania, Virginia, Michigan, Colorado |
| May-issue | 2–6 months+ | California, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maryland |
State-by-State Comparison (Selected)
| State | Permit Type | Training Required | Processing Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Constitutional carry / LTC optional | 4–6 hours classroom + range | 2–4 weeks (LTC) | $40 |
| Florida | Shall-issue (CWL) | Firearms safety course | 50–90 days | $97 |
| Pennsylvania | Shall-issue (LTCF) | None | 14–45 days | $20 |
| Virginia | Shall-issue (CHP) | Firearms course or equivalent | 45 days max | $50 |
| California | May-issue (CCW) | 8–16 hours training | 90–180 days | $100–$300+ |
| New York | May-issue | 16+ hours training | 4–18 months | $100–$200+ |
| Illinois | Shall-issue (CCL) | 16 hours training | 90–120 days | $150 |
| Michigan | Shall-issue (CPL) | 8 hours training | 45 days max | $115 |
The Process Step by Step
- Complete required training (1 day–2 weekends). Most states require a firearms safety course ranging from 4–16 hours. Some accept online courses; others require live-fire qualification. A few states (Pennsylvania, Indiana) require no training.
- Gather documents. You'll typically need a valid driver's license, proof of residency, training certificate, and passport-sized photos. Some states require personal references.
- Submit your application. Apply at your county sheriff's office, local police department, or state police website depending on the state. Many states now accept online applications.
- Background check and fingerprinting (1–4 weeks). The FBI/NICS background check itself takes minutes, but scheduling fingerprinting and processing the results through your state's system adds time.
- Waiting period (varies widely). This is where shall-issue and may-issue states diverge dramatically. Shall-issue states have legally mandated maximum processing times. May-issue states often have longer discretionary review periods.
- Receive your permit. Mailed to your address or picked up in person.
Shall-Issue vs. May-Issue Explained
Shall-issue states must grant a permit to any applicant who meets the legal requirements (age, background check, training). The issuing authority has no discretion to deny qualified applicants. Processing is typically faster and more predictable.
May-issue states give the issuing authority (usually the county sheriff or police chief) discretion to approve or deny applications. Applicants may need to demonstrate "good cause" or "proper purpose" beyond basic self-defense. After the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in NYSRPA v. Bruen, may-issue states can no longer require applicants to show special need, but processing times in these states remain longer due to additional review steps.
Training Requirements
- No training required: Pennsylvania, Indiana, South Dakota
- 4–8 hours: Texas (LTC), Arizona, Virginia, Michigan
- 8–16 hours: Illinois, California, New York, Connecticut
- Live-fire qualification required: Most states with training requirements
- Online courses accepted: Virginia, some reciprocity permits (Utah, Florida non-resident)
Tips to Speed Up the Process
- Complete your training course before submitting the application
- Schedule fingerprinting early, as availability varies
- Double-check all application materials to avoid processing delays
- Apply online where available (often faster than paper applications)
- Consider a non-resident permit from a shall-issue state (like Florida or Utah) for multi-state reciprocity while waiting for your home-state permit