Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons - Application Process

The Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons (PCW) is issued by the sheriff of the county where the applicant resides, under Iowa Code Section 724.7 and the issuance procedures in Iowa Code Section 724.11. A nonresident may apply to the sheriff of the county in which they are employed, or in some counties through a designated procedure for nonresidents. The Professional Permit (PPCW) is issued by the Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety under Iowa Code Section 724.6.

Step-by-Step: Nonprofessional PCW

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility (Iowa Code Section 724.8)

Before applying, verify that you:

• Are at least 18 years old (effective July 1, 2025 under HF 924)
• Have not been convicted of any felony
• Are not addicted to alcohol or any controlled substance
• Have not been convicted, within the past three years, of a serious or aggravated misdemeanor under Iowa Code Chapter 708 (other than simple assault under Iowa Code Section 708.1)
• Are not subject to a disqualifying federal firearms prohibition under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) or 18 U.S.C. Section 922(n)
• Are not subject to a domestic abuse protective order with a firearms prohibition

Step 2: Complete Required Training

Iowa Code Section 724.9 requires applicants for a Nonprofessional PCW to complete an approved firearms training course within the 12 months before applying. Acceptable courses are listed in Iowa Code Section 724.9(1)(a)-(f) and include NRA-certified courses, hunter-education courses including a live-fire component, peace-officer training, military firearms qualification, and courses taught by Iowa-qualified instructors. See TRAINING_REQUIREMENTS for full detail.

Step 3: Obtain the Application

Application forms are available at the office of the county sheriff and on most sheriffs' websites. Forms generally follow the model published by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The applicant must provide:

• Full legal name, address, and date of birth
• Social Security number (where requested)
• A copy of an Iowa driver's license or other state-issued ID
• Proof of completed firearms training (certificate)
• The application fee
• A signed statement attesting to eligibility under Iowa Code Section 724.8

Step 4: Submit the Application and Fee

Application fees are set by Iowa Code Section 724.20:

• Initial PCW: $50
• Renewal PCW: $25
• The sheriff may also charge for the cost of fingerprinting if required

See FEES_COSTS for current fee detail.

Step 5: Background Investigation

Under Iowa Code Section 724.11, the sheriff conducts a background investigation that includes:

• A criminal-history check through the Iowa Department of Public Safety (state) and the FBI (federal)
• Verification of the applicant's training certificate
• Review of any reports indicating risk of unlawful use of a weapon

Step 6: Issuance or Denial Decision

Iowa Code Section 724.11(2) requires the sheriff to issue or deny the permit within 30 days of receiving the completed application. Iowa is a shall-issue state: the sheriff must issue the permit unless the applicant fails to meet the criteria in Iowa Code Section 724.8 or unless there is documented probable cause to believe the applicant would use the weapon unlawfully (Iowa Code Section 724.8(4)).

Step 7: Receive the Permit

The PCW is a wallet-sized card. The permit is valid for five years under Iowa Code Section 724.11(4). The permittee must carry the permit at all times when carrying a weapon under the authority of the permit and produce it on demand of a peace officer (Iowa Code Section 724.11(3)).

Professional Permit (PPCW) Process

The Professional Permit application goes to the Iowa Department of Public Safety rather than the county sheriff. Requirements include:

• Employment that reasonably justifies the carrying of a weapon (peace officer, correctional officer, certain security or armored-car guards, private investigators, etc.)
• Completion of an approved firearms training program appropriate to the profession
• Background investigation comparable to the Nonprofessional PCW
• One-year validity (Iowa Code Section 724.11(4))

If Denied

If a sheriff denies a Nonprofessional PCW, Iowa Code Section 724.21A provides for judicial review in the district court of the county where the application was made. The denial must be in writing and state the reason. The applicant may also seek administrative remedies depending on the local sheriff's procedures.

Lost or Stolen Permits

Report a lost or stolen permit to the issuing sheriff promptly. The sheriff may issue a duplicate upon application and payment of a duplicate fee under Iowa Code Section 724.20.

Renewal

See RENEWAL_PROCESS for the five-year renewal procedure and reduced renewal fee.