California is a licensed carry state, not a permitless or constitutional carry state. A license is required to carry a handgun concealed in public (Penal...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
California is a licensed carry state, not a permitless or constitutional carry state. A license is required to carry a handgun concealed in public (Penal Code 25400) and to carry a loaded firearm in most public places (Penal Code 25850). Open carry of a handgun in public is generally prohibited (Penal Code 26350), and open carry of a long gun in public is prohibited (Penal Code 26400), so the CCW license is the primary lawful path to carrying a firearm for self-defense in public.
The licensing framework runs from Penal Code 26150 through 26230. Applications are submitted to either the county sheriff (Penal Code 26150) or the chief or other head of a municipal police department (Penal Code 26155). Each licensing authority must publish and make available a written policy summarizing Penal Code 26150 and subdivisions (a) and (b) of 26155 (Penal Code 26160).
This area of law changed substantially after the U.S. Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), which struck down "good cause" discretionary licensing. California responded with Senate Bill 2 (Stats. 2023, Ch. 249, effective January 1, 2024), which removed good cause, rewrote the eligibility standards, added a detailed disqualifier list, increased the training requirement, and created a long list of "sensitive places" at Penal Code 26230. The licensing statutes were amended again by Assembly Bill 1078 (Stats. 2025, Ch. 570), effective January 1, 2026, which is the version described below.
To receive or renew a CCW license, an applicant must meet all of the following:
Because the statute now uses the word "shall" issue upon proof of these elements, California operates as a shall-issue state. The licensing authority retains discretion only over the investigation, the disqualifier determination, and reasonable conditions on the license (Penal Code 26200(b)).
Penal Code 26202 sets out the standards for deciding whether an applicant is a disqualified person. An applicant is disqualified if any one or more of the following apply, unless a court determines otherwise under Penal Code 26206:
If the licensing authority makes a final determination that the applicant is a disqualified person under 26202(a)(8) (unlawful drug use), it must report the applicant to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System within five days (Penal Code 26202(f)).
Applications are uniform statewide on forms prescribed by the Attorney General (Penal Code 26175(a)). In practice the California Department of Justice publishes the Standard Initial and Renewal Application for a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (commonly the BOF 4012 series), which licensing authorities may also offer through online portals. The application requires identifying information, criminal and mental health history disclosures, and the names and contact information of three references, at least one of whom must be a person described in Penal Code 273.5(b) and at least one of whom must be the applicant's cohabitant, if applicable (Penal Code 26175(c)). The applicant must attest to the truth of the statements in the application (Penal Code 26175(f)).
Residents must present clear evidence of identity and age (Penal Code 26150(a)(2), 26155(a)(2)) and must be a resident of the county or city to which they apply. Prima facie evidence of residency includes voter registration address and a homeowner's property tax exemption filing, and the presumption can be rebutted by evidence that the primary residence is elsewhere (Penal Code 26150(a)(3), 26155(a)(3)).
The licensing authority must conduct an investigation meeting the minimum requirements of Penal Code 26202(b), which include:
Within 90 days of receiving the completed application, the licensing authority must give the applicant written notice of its initial determination of whether the applicant is a disqualified person (Penal Code 26202(d)). If the initial determination is that the applicant is not disqualified, the notice directs the applicant to proceed with the training requirement and the authority then submits fingerprints or the renewal notification to the Department of Justice (Penal Code 26202(d)(1)). If the determination is that the applicant is disqualified, the notice states the reason and informs the applicant of the right to a court hearing under Penal Code 26206 (Penal Code 26202(d)(2)).
Upon the initial non-disqualified determination, the licensing authority submits the applicant's fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice, which determines whether the applicant is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm (Penal Code 26185). No new license may issue unless the Department confirms the applicant's eligibility (Penal Code 26185(a)(3)). Fingerprints are typically captured through Live Scan, and the cost of furnishing the background information is recovered through the fees described in Penal Code 26190.
For new applicants, the training course must be acceptable to the licensing authority and meet these statutory minimums (Penal Code 26165(a)):
Each licensing authority must publish the standards it uses for the live-fire exercises, including the minimum number of rounds and minimum passing scores at specified distances (Penal Code 26165(b)). A licensing authority may instead require a community college course certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, up to a maximum of 24 hours, but only if required uniformly of all applicants (Penal Code 26165(c)). For renewals, the course must be at least eight hours and satisfy paragraphs (2) through (6) of subdivision (a) (Penal Code 26165(d)).
An applicant is not required to pay for any training course before the initial determination of whether the applicant is a disqualified person (Penal Code 26165(e), referring to 26202(d)(1)). Note that the statute requires Department of Justice instructor certification under Penal Code 31635; particular brand credentials (for example USCCA, NRA, or POST instructor certifications) are accepted only insofar as the instructor also holds the required DOJ certification and the course meets the 26165 criteria. Applicants should confirm with their specific licensing authority which courses it accepts.
A licensing authority may require a psychological assessment. If it does, the applicant is referred to a licensed psychologist acceptable to the authority and may be charged the actual cost of the assessment, which may not exceed the licensing authority's reasonable costs (Penal Code 26190(e)). For renewals, an additional assessment is required only if there is compelling evidence of a public safety concern (Penal Code 26190(e)(2)).
A resident must be the Department of Justice recorded owner of each handgun for which the license will be issued (Penal Code 26150(a)(5), 26155(a)(5)). The issued license itself must describe each authorized firearm by manufacturer name, model, serial number, and caliber (Penal Code 26175(i)). A licensee may not carry more than two firearms under their control at one time (Penal Code 26200(d)), and may carry only firearms listed on the license (Penal Code 26200(a)(4)).
The licensing authority must give written notice approving or denying the license within 120 days of receiving the completed application, or within 30 days after receipt of the Department of Justice information, whichever is later (Penal Code 26205). If the license is denied, the notice must state which requirement was not satisfied (Penal Code 26205(b)). A denied applicant may request a hearing from a court under Penal Code 26206.
The issued license must set forth the licensee's full name, driver's license or identification number, date of birth, physical description, license type and issuance and expiration dates, the licensee's fingerprints and photograph, and a description of each authorized firearm (Penal Code 26175(i)). Records of issuance, denial, amendment, and revocation are maintained by the licensing authority and copies are filed with the Department of Justice (Penal Code 26225).
California has a general non-resident CCW pathway. Assembly Bill 1078 (Stats. 2025, Ch. 570, effective January 1, 2026) amended Penal Code 26150 and 26155 so that subdivision (b) of each statute now governs non-California-resident applications, under which a sheriff or police chief "shall" issue or renew a license to a non-resident who meets the conditions below. This codification followed a January 22, 2025 preliminary injunction in California Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc. v. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (No. 2:23-cv-10169-SPG, C.D. Cal.), which had earlier required some California authorities to accept non-resident applications. With AB 1078 in effect, the statutory standard, rather than the injunction alone, governs non-resident applications. Applicants should still verify current procedures with the specific California licensing authority.
A non-resident must satisfy all of the following (Penal Code 26150(b), 26155(b)):
Because the non-resident license is the license issued under subdivision (b) of Penal Code 26150 or 26155, the interview requirement of Penal Code 26202(b)(1) applies to non-resident applicants, and the interview may be conducted in person or, at the applicant's election, virtually by video and audio (Penal Code 26202(b)(1)). Any required psychological assessment may be virtual or with a provider within 75 miles of the applicant's residence (Penal Code 26190(e)(1)). It remains the applicant's responsibility to confirm that any handgun carried is legal to possess and carry in California.
If a licenseholder fails to apply for renewal within 90 days of the license expiration, the licensing authority requests that the Department of Justice terminate subsequent-notification monitoring (Penal Code 26225(e)).
A separate license is available to a person deputized or appointed as a peace officer under Penal Code 830.6, on proof that the applicant is not a disqualified person under Penal Code 26202, is at least 21 years of age, holds the qualifying appointment, and is the recorded owner of, or is authorized to carry, the firearm (Penal Code 26170). Fees for this license may be waived (Penal Code 26170(b)).
A license is subject to statutory conditions in Penal Code 26200, including that the licensee not consume or be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance while carrying, not carry a firearm not listed on the license, carry the license on their person, and present the license or firearm to a peace officer on demand. The licensing authority may also impose reasonable additional restrictions on time, place, manner, and circumstances, which must be indicated on the license (Penal Code 26200(b), (c)).
A license does not authorize carry in the "sensitive places" listed in Penal Code 26230, which was added by SB 2 and amended by AB 1078. This list includes, among many other locations, places prohibited by the Gun-Free School Zone Act (Penal Code 626.9), preschools and childcare facilities, and government buildings. Penal Code 26230 has been the subject of extensive litigation. A December 20, 2023 preliminary injunction (May v. Bonta and Carralero v. Bonta, Central District of California) blocked enforcement of many of the listed locations. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit reversed that injunction in large part, with its mandate effective January 23, 2025, so most of the sensitive places are now enforceable. Six categories remain enjoined and are not currently being enforced pending further appeal: hospitals and medical facilities (26230(a)(7)), public transit (a)(8), permitted public gatherings and special events (a)(10), places of worship (a)(22), financial institutions (a)(23), and privately owned commercial establishments open to the public, which is the default no-carry-without-a-posted-sign rule (a)(26). See the Prohibited Places section for the full breakdown of which locations are in effect and which remain enjoined.
| Reference | Subject |
|---|---|
| Penal Code 26150 | Application to the county sheriff; resident, non-resident, and license-format standards |
| Penal Code 26155 | Application to the chief of police; resident, non-resident, and license-format standards |
| Penal Code 26160 | Licensing authority written policy requirement |
| Penal Code 26165 | Training course requirements (16-hour minimum, mental health component, live-fire) |
| Penal Code 26170 | Reserve and auxiliary peace officer licenses |
| Penal Code 26175 | Uniform application and license content requirements |
| Penal Code 26185 | Fingerprint submission and DOJ eligibility determination |
| Penal Code 26190 | Fees and psychological assessment costs |
| Penal Code 26200 | Conditions and restrictions on licensed carry |
| Penal Code 26202 | Disqualified person standards, investigation, and 90-day initial determination |
| Penal Code 26205 | Approval or denial notice within 120 days |
| Penal Code 26206 | Court hearing on denial |
| Penal Code 26220 | License terms (two years standard) |
| Penal Code 26225 | Recordkeeping and reporting to the DOJ |
| Penal Code 26230 | Sensitive places where licensees may not carry (litigation ongoing) |
| Penal Code 25400 | Carrying a concealed firearm without a license |
| Penal Code 25850 | Carrying a loaded firearm in public |
| Penal Code 31635 | Department of Justice firearms instructor certification |
This page covers one part of our California concealed carry guide.
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