How do I get a concealed carry license (CCW) in California?

A California resident applies to the sheriff of the county where they live, or to the police chief of the city where they live. A sheriff may also issue to a person whose principal place of employment or business is in the county and who spends a substantial period of time there (Penal Code 26150(a)(3)). A license issued on that basis is valid for up to 90 days and only in the county that issued it (Penal Code 26220(b)).

The statute says the sheriff or chief "shall issue or renew a license" upon proof of all five requirements (Penal Code 26150(a)). Each agency runs its own process, so steps, scheduling, and local fees differ by county. Our CCW by county pages track those local details.

Non-residents have been able to apply since January 1, 2026, under requirements of their own (Penal Code 26150(b), 26155(b), DOJ bulletin 2026-DLE-13). That path is covered in our non-resident CCW explainer.

As of 2026-11-11, the DOJ's public Firearms FAQ still says CCW licenses are issued only to residents of the county or city. That wording does not match the current statute. The statute controls, and the DOJ page has not been updated.

The statutes set this order:

1. Application. You file the standard statewide application form prescribed by the Attorney General. It asks for identifying information, prior arrests and convictions, restraining order history, and three references (Penal Code 26175).
2. Investigation. The agency reviews the application, interviews at least three character references (a step it may skip for renewals), reviews publicly available information about you, including public statements you have posted, and checks state restraining order records (Penal Code 26202(b)).
3. Initial determination. Within 90 days of receiving the completed application, the agency gives written notice. If it finds you are not a disqualified person so far, the notice tells you to proceed with training (Penal Code 26202(d)).
4. Fingerprints. The agency then sends your fingerprints to the DOJ, which reports whether you are prohibited from possessing firearms. No new license can be issued until the DOJ confirms eligibility (Penal Code 26185(a)).
5. Training. You complete the course described below. An applicant cannot be required to pay for training before the initial determination (Penal Code 26165(e)).
6. Decision. The agency gives written notice of approval or denial within 120 days of receiving the completed application, or 30 days after it receives the DOJ's information, whichever is later (Penal Code 26205).

For a new license, the course must meet these minimums (Penal Code 26165(a)):

• At least 16 hours long.
• Instruction on firearm safety, handling, shooting technique, safe storage, legal methods to transport firearms and secure them in vehicles, where permit holders may carry, and the laws on use of a firearm and use of lethal force in self-defense.
• At least one hour on mental health and mental health resources.
• A written examination.
• Live-fire exercises on a range, including a demonstration of safe handling and shooting proficiency with each firearm you apply to carry.

Penal Code 26202(a) lists eleven grounds. They include being reasonably likely to be a danger to self, others, or the community; certain restraining orders, unless they ended more than five years before the application; a conviction for listed offenses in the prior 10 years; unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing of a firearm; current abuse of a controlled substance or alcohol; and failing to report a lost firearm as the law requires. This article does not assess anyone's individual eligibility. The full list is in the statute.

State law does not set a single price. Penal Code 26190 creates these charges:

• DOJ fee, set by the department to cover its processing costs, paid when you file.
• Local fee, equal to the agency's reasonable costs to process the application, issue the license, and enforce it. The first 50 percent may be collected at filing, and the balance only when the license is issued.
• Psychological assessment, only if the agency requires one. The applicant may be charged the actual cost.
• Training and fingerprinting costs, which are separate from the local fee.

For renewals, the DOJ lists a fee of $93.00 for a standard license as of September 1, 2026 (DOJ bulletin 2026-DLE-14).

A standard license is valid for up to two years (Penal Code 26220(a)). AB 1948 (Stats. 2026, ch. 44), signed June 30, 2026, amends that section to allow up to three years. The bill has no urgency clause and states no separate operative date, so it takes effect January 1, 2027 (AB 1948). As of 2026-11-11, the code section shown on the Legislature's site still reads two years.

Renewal requires a course of at least eight hours (Penal Code 26165(d)). Since September 1, 2026, renewal applicants must also submit fingerprints, and an agency cannot issue the renewal until the DOJ confirms eligibility (Penal Code 26185(b) and (c), DOJ bulletin 2026-DLE-14).

• Listed firearms only. A licensee may not carry a firearm that is not listed on the license, and may not carry more than two firearms at one time (Penal Code 26200).
• Sensitive places. Penal Code 26230 lists places where a licensee may not carry. A federal court order blocked enforcement of some of them; a DOJ bulletin dated March 27, 2025 lists which were in effect and which remained enjoined at that time (DOJ bulletin 2025-DLE-06). See where carry is restricted and the May and Carralero v. Bonta case page.