Kentucky Concealed Carry Permit Fees and Costs

If you decide to get a license to carry concealed deadly weapon (CCDW license), the cost is set by statute. A paper application filed with your county sheriff costs $60. An electronic application filed with Kentucky State Police costs $70. Renewal costs the same as the original. A renewal filed after the expiration date adds a $15 late fee to the $60 or $70.

Who pays these fees

An applicant for an original CCDW license pays the application fee, and a renewing licensee pays the renewal fee. The amount depends on how you file, on paper or electronically, and a renewal filed after the expiration date carries an added late fee. Qualifying current and retired peace officers pay no application or renewal fee at all under KRS 237.110(7)(d).

What the fee rules say

The paper route sends your completed application, required documentation, and a fee of $60 to the office of the sheriff of the county where you live, under KRS 237.110(7)(b)1. The electronic route sends the application, documentation, and a fee of $70 to the Department of Kentucky State Police, under KRS 237.110(7)(c)1.

The statute sets one amount that serves as both the application fee and the renewal fee. Renewing on paper therefore costs $60 under KRS 237.110(7)(b)1. Renewing electronically costs $70 under KRS 237.110(7)(c)1.

If you file your renewal after the license expiration date, you pay a late fee of $15 in addition to the license fees, under KRS 237.110(14)(c). There is a hard cutoff. No license may be renewed six months or more after its expiration date, and the license is then deemed permanently expired. An expired license is void and is valid only for surrender to the sheriff in exchange for a renewal license. After that six-month cutoff, you must apply again as a new applicant and pay the original application fee.

If your license is lost, stolen or destroyed, it is automatically invalid, and a duplicate costs $15 for a paper request to the Department of Kentucky State Police under KRS 237.110(12). An electronic request for a duplicate costs $25.

You pay the fee when you file: the $60 goes to the sheriff with the paper application itself.

The training course has its own cap: an instructor may charge no more than $75 for the applicant training course under KRS 237.122(8).

Exceptions to paying

One group is exempt from the paper and electronic application and renewal fees:

• A full-time or part-time peace officer currently certified by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council who is authorized by the employer or government authority to carry a concealed deadly weapon at all times and all locations in the Commonwealth, or a retired peace officer who is a member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or another retirement system operated by or for a city, county, or urban-county government in Kentucky

Fee table

What training or the license changes

Unless revoked or suspended as provided by law, the license is valid for five years from the date of issuance under KRS 237.110(2)(b). Renewed on or before the expiration date, a license costs one fee per five-year term.

A firearms safety course offered or approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training may not be more than eight hours in length, under KRS 237.110(4)(i)1.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Kentucky CCDW license cost?

It depends on how you file. A paper application costs $60. An electronic application costs $70.

Is renewing cheaper than applying the first time?

No. The statute uses the same amount for an application fee or a renewal fee. Paper renewal is $60, and electronic renewal is $70.

What happens if I miss my renewal date?

You may still renew by paying a late fee of $15 in addition to the license fees. Do not wait too long, because no license may be renewed six months or more after its expiration date.

Can I ever get the fee waived?

Yes, for one group. Qualifying current and retired peace officers are exempt from paying the paper or electronic application or renewal fees.

How often will I have to pay again?

The license is valid for five years from the date of issuance unless revoked or suspended as provided by law. Renewing on or before the expiration date avoids the $15 late fee.

Does the electronic option cost more for a reason I control?

The higher amount, $70, attaches to the electronic filing route, which goes to the Department of Kentucky State Police. Filing on paper with your county sheriff costs the lower amount, $60.