Kentucky honors a valid concealed deadly weapon license from any other state, so a visiting license holder may carry concealed here KRS 237.110(20)(a)....
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Kentucky honors a valid concealed deadly weapon license from any other state, so a visiting license holder may carry concealed here KRS 237.110(20)(a). Kentucky also allows carry without a license at age 21 or older for anyone who may lawfully possess a firearm KRS 237.109(1). A license to carry concealed deadly weapon (CCDW license) matters most when you leave the state.
This unit is for three readers. The first is a visitor who holds a license issued by another state and wants to carry while in Kentucky. The second is someone who has just moved to Kentucky and still holds the old state's license. The third is a Kentucky CCDW license holder planning to drive or travel into another state.
Inbound recognition is broad. Kentucky treats a valid out-of-state concealed deadly weapon license as valid here, and the holder may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky on that license.
Outbound recognition works differently, because another state decides whether it honors your Kentucky card. The Department of Kentucky State Police must annually contact other states seeking permission for Kentucky license holders to carry there, and must enter a written reciprocity agreement with each state that agrees KRS 237.110(20). The inquiry asks each state's licensing authority whether a Kentucky concealed carry license will be honored or accepted there, unless a written reciprocity agreement already covers that state KRS 237.110. State police must repeat that contact at least every twelve months unless a formal written agreement is already in force KRS 237.110(20)(e).
A person moving to Kentucky may keep using a valid out-of-state license from a state that has a reciprocity agreement with Kentucky for up to 120 days after establishing residency KRS 237.110(20)(b). That grace period depends on a filing step: the new resident must complete the required notarized form within 60 days of moving to Kentucky.
Carry documents matter on a traffic stop. A licensee must carry the license at all times while carrying a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon and must display it upon request of a law enforcement officer, and a violation is a noncriminal violation with a penalty of $25 KRS 237.110(15). A separate rule applies to one document type.
| Situation | Rule | Citation and source |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-state license holder in Kentucky | The out-of-state license is considered valid, and the holder may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky | KRS 237.110(20)(a) |
| New Kentucky resident, old license | The out-of-state license may be treated as valid for the first 120 days of Kentucky residency | KRS 237.110(20)(b) |
| New Kentucky resident, paperwork | The notarized form must be completed within 60 days of moving to Kentucky | KRS 237.110(20)(b) |
| Kentucky State Police outbound inquiry | Written inquiry to each state's concealed deadly weapon licensing authority, unless a written reciprocity agreement is in force | KRS 237.110 |
| Frequency of that inquiry | At least every twelve months, unless a formal written reciprocity agreement is already in force | KRS 237.110(20)(e) |
| When a state agrees | Kentucky State Police must enter a written reciprocity agreement with that state's agency | KRS 237.110(20) |
The differences below apply to a person who holds a CCDW license rather than carrying without one.
Yes. Kentucky treats a valid out-of-state concealed deadly weapon license as valid, and you may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky on it.
You may treat the old license as valid for the first 120 days of Kentucky residency, if the old state has a reciprocity agreement with Kentucky. You must complete the required notarized form within 60 days of the move.
That depends on the other state. Kentucky State Police must ask each state's licensing authority whether a Kentucky license will be honored or accepted, unless a written reciprocity agreement already covers that state. Where a state agrees, state police must enter a written reciprocity agreement with that state's agency.
State police must contact each other state at least every twelve months, unless a formal written reciprocity agreement is already in force with that state.
Not if you are 21 or older and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm. The license still governs recognition in other states.
Yes. A licensee must carry the license while carrying concealed and display it upon request of a law enforcement officer, and failure is a noncriminal violation with a penalty of $25.
This page covers one part of our Kentucky concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Kentucky guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.