California is a SHALL-ISSUE state per Penal Code Section 26202. The issuing authority (sheriff of the applicant's county of residence under Section...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Resources
Updated
California CCW Resources
Authoritative Government Sources
California Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms - https://oag.ca.gov/firearms - the controlling state-level source for CCW issuance rules, the DROS process, the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale, and DOJ-certified instructor lists.
CCW reciprocity - California does NOT recognize any other state's CCW permit. There is no reciprocity inbound. See RECIPROCITY for the controlling rule.
DOJ-DLE Information Bulletins - issued by the DOJ Division of Law Enforcement; the bulletins set out enforcement guidance and capture the current status of injunctive proceedings affecting the Section 26230 sensitive-places list. Bulletin 2025-DLE-06 lists the six Section 26230(a) subdivisions currently enjoined under Wolford v. Lopez.
Statewide Framework (Post-SB 2, effective Jan 1, 2024)
California is a SHALL-ISSUE state per Penal Code Section 26202. The issuing authority (sheriff of the applicant's county of residence under Section 26150, or chief of municipal police under Section 26155) must issue a CCW license to any applicant who:
Is at least 21 years of age (Penal Code Section 26150(a)(1) / Section 26155(a)(1))
Is not within any of the ten enumerated disqualifying categories of Section 26202 (federal/state prohibited person, two-or-more DUI convictions within 10 years, prior conviction within 10 years for offenses listed at Penal Code Sections 422.6/422.7/422.75/29805, commitment/incarceration/supervision for mental-health/alcohol/substance issues within 5 years, etc.)
Has completed the Penal Code Section 26165 training (16 hours for a new license, 8 hours for renewal, including live-fire qualification) taught by a CCW Program DOJ Certified Instructor
Is the recorded owner (in the DOJ Automated Firearms System) of the pistol(s) for which the license will be issued (Section 26150(a)(5) / Section 26155(a)(5))
The issuing authority has 120 days from receipt of a complete application to issue or deny (Penal Code Section 26205), or 30 days after receipt of the DOJ background check, whichever is later.
Fees
State application fee: capped by Penal Code Section 26190; the licensing authority may recover actual processing, issuance, and enforcement costs. Real-world combined cost typically runs $400-$700+ depending on county, training cost, and psychological-assessment fee (Section 26190(e)).
DROS: approximately $37.19 per firearm purchase transaction (set by DOJ regulation; verify at oag.ca.gov/firearms).
Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC): $25 per test, valid 5 years (Penal Code Sections 31610-31670).
10-day waiting period: applies to every firearm purchase (Penal Code Section 28220 / Section 26815); no CCW-holder exemption.
Specific county fee schedules vary. Contact your county sheriff's office or the city police chief (in cities that issue) for the local breakdown.
Common State-Level Restrictions and Disqualifications
Felons: Penal Code Section 29800(a)(1) prohibits firearm possession by anyone convicted of a felony. A felony conviction is a categorical disqualifier from CCW issuance under Section 26202(a)(1).
Domestic-violence misdemeanants: 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9) (federal Lautenberg Amendment) is a lifetime federal prohibition. State law parallel disabilities apply at Penal Code Section 29805 with lookback periods.
DUI history: two or more DUI convictions within the preceding 10 years is a disqualifier under Section 26202(a)(2).
Mental-health holds: commitment, incarceration, or court-ordered supervision for mental-health, alcohol, or substance issues within the preceding 5 years is a disqualifier under Section 26202(a)(7).
Restraining orders: subject to a qualifying restraining or protective order is a categorical disqualifier (Section 26202; Family Code Section 6218 / Section 6389).
What Listed on a CCW
Only HANDGUNS may be listed on a California CCW. No long guns.
The applicant must be the recorded owner of each listed handgun in the DOJ Automated Firearms System.
Adding, removing, or modifying listed firearms typically requires a license amendment (Penal Code Section 26215). Amendment fees vary by county.
Carry Conditions and Common License-Condition Categories
Penal Code Section 26200 authorizes the issuing authority to impose reasonable restrictions or conditions on a CCW license. Common license-condition categories that appear across many California issuing jurisdictions include:
Carrying the license and valid identification at all times when carrying concealed (Penal Code Section 26175 / Section 26185)
Producing the license on demand by any peace officer (Section 26185)
Reporting any law-enforcement contact while armed within a defined window (timing varies; commonly 3-10 business days)
Reporting any change of address to the licensing authority in writing within 10 days (Penal Code Section 26210(b))
Reporting any arrest or restraining order
Reporting a lost or stolen permit
Specific timing rules and required reporting channels vary by jurisdiction. The issuing authority's published conditions and the CCW license itself control. Contact your issuing agency for the operative conditions list.
Range Qualification Standards
The Penal Code Section 26165 training course must include a live-fire shooting demonstration. The specific qualification standard (round count, distance, time limits, minimum passing score) is set by the DOJ-certified instructor and the issuing authority within DOJ-approved parameters. Common formats include a multi-stage course from 3-15 yards with reload requirements. The exact format varies by instructor and county.
Ongoing Obligations and Updates
Renewal: every 2 years (Penal Code Section 26202(c)). 8-hour renewal training course required.
Address change: notify the issuing authority in writing within 10 days (Penal Code Section 26210(b)).
Lost/stolen CCW: report to issuing authority within the timeframe specified by license conditions (typically 10 business days).
Law-enforcement contact while armed: reporting requirements vary by issuing jurisdiction.
Application Process Steps (General Framework)
The application process varies by issuing jurisdiction but generally includes:
Submit an application through the county sheriff or city police chief (many California jurisdictions use the Permitium online portal).
Complete the Penal Code Section 26165 16-hour training course from a CCW Program DOJ Certified Instructor.
Pass the live-fire range qualification.
Complete fingerprinting (Live Scan).
Submit to the DOJ background check.
Sit for any required interview with the issuing authority.
Pay fees (state cost-recovery + training + Live Scan + any psychological-assessment fee).
Issuing authority decides within 120 days of a complete application (Penal Code Section 26205).
Non-U.S. Citizens
California's CCW eligibility framework at Penal Code Section 26202 does not impose a citizenship requirement beyond what federal law (18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(5)) and state law independently require for firearm possession. Lawful permanent residents and otherwise-lawfully-present non-citizens who are not federally prohibited may apply.
Where to Find Current Information
Always verify against the controlling sources:
California DOJ Bureau of Firearms - https://oag.ca.gov/firearms - the controlling state source.
Your issuing agency - the county sheriff or city police chief publishes the operative application process, fee schedule, training requirements, and license conditions for that jurisdiction.
California Legislative Information - https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/ - statute text and recent amendments.
DOJ-DLE Information Bulletins - latest enforcement guidance.
Key Statute References
Penal Code Section 25400 - Carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW (wobbler; misdemeanor or felony)
Penal Code Section 25850 - Carrying a loaded firearm in public
Browse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.