How to Apply for a Concealed Carry Permit in Alaska

Application Process for an Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit (ACHP)

Alaska is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state, meaning residents who are legally eligible to possess firearms may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. However, Alaska continues to issue concealed handgun permits for purposes such as reciprocity with other states and NICS exemption (bypassing the federal background check at the point of sale). The application process below applies to those who choose to obtain a formal Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit.

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Eligibility Requirements

Per AS 18.65.705, a person is qualified to receive and hold a permit to carry a concealed handgun if the person:

• Is 21 years of age or older (AS 18.65.705(1))
• Is eligible to own or possess a handgun under both Alaska state law and federal law (AS 18.65.705(2))
• Is a resident of Alaska and has been a resident for the 90 days immediately preceding the application (AS 18.65.705(3)). No non-resident permits are issued.
• Has not been convicted of two or more Class A misdemeanors of Alaska, or similar offenses in another jurisdiction, within the six years immediately preceding the application (AS 18.65.705(4))
• Is not currently under, and has not in the three years immediately preceding the application been ordered by a court to complete, an alcohol or substance abuse treatment program (AS 18.65.705(5))
• Has successfully completed a department-approved handgun course within the 12 months immediately preceding the application (AS 18.65.705(6) and AS 18.65.715)
• Does not suffer from a physical infirmity that prevents the safe handling of a handgun (AS 18.65.700(a)(8))

Residency Definition

Per AS 01.10.055, a person establishes residency by being physically present in the state with the intent to remain indefinitely and to make a home in the state. This includes maintaining a principal place of abode for at least 30 days (or longer if required by law). Legal resident aliens who reside in Alaska and meet the 90-day physical presence requirement are eligible to apply.

Disqualifying Factors

• Felony convictions that make a person ineligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law
• Two or more Class A misdemeanor convictions within the preceding six years (regardless of whether convictions were later set aside or pardoned)
• Court-ordered alcohol or substance abuse treatment within the preceding three years
• Physical infirmity preventing safe handling of a handgun
• Persons who cannot legally possess firearms under federal or state law cannot obtain a permit

Note on felony convictions: Per the Alaska DPS FAQ, applicants who received a pardon must provide a certified copy of the pardon paperwork. Those whose felony conviction was set aside must provide a certified copy of the court order. Those claiming 10+ years since unconditional discharge must provide certified documentation from the Alaska Department of Corrections (or equivalent entity of another state).

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Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Complete an Approved Handgun Course

Per AS 18.65.715, the applicant must provide a certificate of successful completion of a department-approved handgun course. Key requirements:

• The course must be completed within the 12 months immediately preceding the application
• The course must include at least 12 hours of training in the use of handguns (per 13 AAC 30.070(a)(1)(A)), covering:
  • Knowledge of Alaska law relating to firearms and the use of deadly force (taught by an attorney licensed in Alaska or a person with valid Alaska Police Standards Council certification)
  • Basic concepts of safe and responsible use of handguns
  • Knowledge of self-defense principles
  • Physical handling, mechanics, carrying, transporting, storage, loading, and unloading of handguns, including a test of competence with a handgun
• There are no online or correspondence courses approved, and no programs outside of Alaska are approved
• A list of approved courses is available from the DPS Permits and Licensing Unit upon request

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

The following items must be submitted with the application (per AS 18.65.700(a) and the DPS application packet):

1. Completed application form — Must be completed in ink on the form provided by the Department of Public Safety (per 13 AAC 30.140(a))

2. Non-refundable application fee of $87.00 — Payable by personal check, cashier's check, or money order made out to "State of Alaska" (per 13 AAC 30.040(a)(1), the fee is $40 plus applicable fingerprint processing fees; the statutory maximum is $99 per AS 18.65.720)

3. Certificate of completion from an approved handgun course completed within the preceding 12 months (per AS 18.65.715 and 13 AAC 30.090(a))

4. One complete set of fingerprints on a standard 8" × 8" FBI Applicant Fingerprint Card of acceptable technical quality (per AS 18.65.700(a)(4)). Fingerprints must be:

   • Taken by a person, group, or agency approved by the department, or by a law enforcement agency or state correctional facility
   • Taken within 90 days before submission (per 13 AAC 30.100(b))
   • Of sufficient quality for processing; if rejected as unreadable, the applicant must obtain another set at their own expense

5. One frontal-view color photograph taken within the 30 days preceding the application (per AS 18.65.700(a)(6)). Photo specifications:

   • Uncut, rectangular, color photograph including head and shoulders
   • Not less than 2 inches wide by 2 inches high (passport photos are acceptable)
   • Full frontal view, very light or white background
   • Sharp and correctly exposed, not retouched
   • No hats or sunglasses
   • Applicant's name, date taken, and Alaska driver's license or ID card number must be printed on the back

6. Valid Alaska driver's license or identification card — Must be shown at the time of application (per AS 18.65.700(a)(7))

Step 3: Submit the Application In Person

Per AS 18.65.700(a)(1), the applicant must apply in person at an office of the Alaska State Troopers. Per 13 AAC 30.900(a)(9), an "office of the Alaska State Troopers" includes:

• Department of Public Safety, Division of Alaska State Troopers offices
• Department of Public Safety, Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection offices
• Municipal police departments that have been approved in writing by the commissioner to accept applications

The application cannot be submitted by another person on the applicant's behalf. The applicant will be asked to show a government-issued photographic identity card to prove identity.

Step 4: Application Processing and Background Check

Per AS 18.65.700(b), the department must approve or reject the application within 30 days of receipt. During processing:

• The DPS Permits and Licensing Unit requests permit eligibility information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies (per 13 AAC 30.050(d))
• Fingerprints are used to obtain a report of criminal justice information under AS 12.62 and a national criminal history record check under AS 12.62.400

Conditional Permit: If the department has not received necessary fingerprint eligibility information from another agency by the end of the 30-day period, and the applicant is otherwise eligible, the department shall issue a conditional permit. This conditional permit is subject to immediate revocation if the fingerprint information subsequently discloses that the applicant is ineligible (per AS 18.65.700(b)).

Not NICS Exempt: If the permit holder's fingerprints are rejected by the FBI as not sufficiently readable, the department will issue a permit stating the holder is "not nics exempt" (per 13 AAC 30.050(i)).

Step 5: Application Discontinuance or Denial

Per 13 AAC 30.050(e), review of an application will be discontinued if:

• A fee check is returned for insufficient funds
• Discrepancies or omissions are present in the application or accompanying documents
• Fingerprints are not sufficiently readable
• The application contains a false statement
• The applicant is not otherwise qualified

If review is discontinued, the department will mail written reasons. The applicant has 90 days from the date of the notice to provide supplementary information to resolve the issue. If not resolved within 90 days, the application is rejected (per 13 AAC 30.050(f)).

If the application is denied, the department will mail a notice of denial with written reasons. The applicant may appeal to the commissioner in writing within 30 days after the date of the notice of denial. The commissioner's decision will be made in writing within 45 days after receipt of the appeal (per 13 AAC 30.050(g)). Judicial review of the commissioner's decision is available under AS 44.62.560–44.62.570 (per AS 18.65.700(c)).

False statements: An applicant who supplies a false statement may be prosecuted for unsworn falsification in the second degree (a Class A misdemeanor). The permit shall be revoked and the applicant may be barred from further application. If rejection or denial was due to a material false statement, the applicant may not apply again for five years (per 13 AAC 30.050(h)(1)).

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Permit Duration and Expiration

Per AS 18.65.700(d), a permit expires on the person's birthday in the fifth year following issuance, for a total period not to exceed five years. The department may adjust the length of an initial permit accordingly. This provision took effect October 7, 2009 (pursuant to HB 201).

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NICS-Exempt Designation

An applicant who wants the permit to carry a "NICS Exempt" designation (which allows the permit to serve as an alternative to the federal background check at the point of firearm purchase) must also complete and submit the "NICS Exempt Concealed Handgun Permit Supplement" form. This is voluntary and can be submitted with a new permit application, renewal application, or replacement permit application.

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Permit Renewal

Per AS 18.65.725:

• A permittee must apply for renewal within 90 days before the expiration date of the permit
• Renewal applications need not be submitted in person — they may be mailed to the Alaska Concealed Carry Office at 5700 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
• Renewal fee: $25.00 (non-refundable)
• Late renewal fee: additional $25.00 (total $50) if submitted on or after the expiration date (per AS 18.65.725(c))
• The department will not accept a renewal submitted more than 60 days after the expiration date; the holder must apply for a new permit instead
• Required materials for renewal:
  • Completed renewal application form
  • One frontal-view color photograph taken within 30 days of the application
  • Renewal fee
  • Any changes to information originally submitted
• No new fingerprints or handgun course certificate are required for renewal
• The department will mail a notice of expiration by first class mail at least 90 days before expiration (per AS 18.65.725(f))
• A permittee who ceases to be an Alaska resident may not renew the permit but is not required to surrender it (per AS 18.65.725(e))

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Permit Replacement (Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed)

Per AS 18.65.730:

• The permittee must apply in person at an Alaska State Trooper office
• The permittee must certify under oath that the permit has been lost, stolen, or destroyed
• Required materials:
  • One frontal-view color photograph taken within 30 days
  • Replacement fee: $25.00

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Honorably Retired Peace Officers

Per AS 18.65.700(e) and 13 AAC 30.085, an honorably retired peace officer of Alaska may apply for a concealed handgun permit within one year of retirement with the following modified requirements:

• Must meet all standard requirements except fingerprint submission (the department may not require fingerprints)
• Must demonstrate handgun competence only if the officer has not qualified with a handgun within five years of retirement
• Must provide evidence of employment as a peace officer with a law enforcement agency in Alaska for two or more years before terminating employment, and within one year before application
• Must not have terminated employment in lieu of firing, suspension, or other involuntary separation

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Where to Apply and Contact Information

Alaska Department of Public Safety Permits and Licensing Unit 5700 East Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99507

• Phone: (907) 269-0392
• Fax: (907) 269-5609
• Email: dps.criminal.records@alaska.gov

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Key Statutes and Regulations