Maryland Concealed Carry Permit (Wear and Carry Permit) — Fees and Costs

Overview

Maryland concealed carry permits — officially called Wear and Carry Permits — are issued by the Maryland Department of State Police (MSP), Licensing Division under authority of the Maryland Public Safety Article, Title 5, Subtitle 3 (§§5-301 through 5-314). Applications are submitted and processed exclusively through the MSP Licensing Portal.

All MSP licensing fees are non-refundable, including if an application is denied, withdrawn, or returned for deficiencies. Fees paid to approved fingerprint vendors are separate from MSP licensing fees and are likewise non-refundable. Applications are made under oath per Md. Code, Pub. Safety §5-304.

State Application Fees

Fee amounts are established by statute (Md. Code, Pub. Safety §5-304) as maximum amounts the Secretary may charge. The MSP currently charges the statutory maximum:

Fees are collected electronically upon application submission through the Licensing Portal.

Important correction: Some older references cite lower fees ($75 initial / $50 renewal). The current statutory maximums and MSP-published fees are $125 initial and $75 renewal per §5-304(b). Always verify with the MSP Fee Schedule (PDF).

Fee Exemptions

The following individuals are exempt from permit fees per Md. Code, Pub. Safety §5-304(c):

• State, county, or municipal public safety employees who are required to carry, wear, or transport a handgun as a condition of governmental employment
• Retired law enforcement officers of the State or a county or municipal corporation of the State

The MSP Wear and Carry Permit page confirms: Law Enforcement: $0.00.

Replacement Permits (Lost or Stolen)

To obtain a replacement for a lost or stolen permit, you must submit (Source: MSP FAQ):

1. A notarized letter explaining the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the permit
2. A $20 check or money order (or electronic payment)
3. One (1) passport-size photograph taken within the last 30 days
4. If you are a security guard, private detective, armored car guard, or special police officer: a company letter from your current employer verifying your employment

One-Day / Single-Location Permits

The statute authorizes the Secretary to reduce fees for permits limited to a single day and single location, at the Secretary's discretion per Md. Code, Pub. Safety §5-304.

Fingerprinting Fees

Fingerprinting is required for all Wear and Carry Permit applications. Per Md. Code, Pub. Safety §5-305, the Secretary must obtain state and national (FBI) criminal history records checks for each applicant through the Central Repository.

Applicants must submit:

• Fingerprints on approved forms (LiveScan electronic fingerprinting)
• Maryland criminal history processing fee (paid to MSP/CJIS)
• FBI processing fee (paid to FBI via MSP)

Key Fingerprinting Rules

• Fingerprinting must be completed at an MSP-approved vendor — out-of-state providers are not approved (Source: MSP W&C Permit page)
• LiveScan technicians require the Wear and Carry authorization code specific to this permit type
• Fees paid to the fingerprint vendor do not include fees owed to the Licensing Division for application processing — these are separate charges (Source: MSP Fingerprinting page)
• All fingerprinting fees are non-refundable
• Information obtained through criminal history records checks is confidential and may not be disseminated per §5-305(c)

Estimated total fingerprinting costs (vendor fee + state processing + FBI processing): approximately $50–$80, though applicants should confirm current fees directly with their chosen approved vendor and the MSP Fee Schedule (PDF).

Approved vendor locations: MSP Fingerprinting page

Training Costs

Maryland requires completion of a firearms training course from a Qualified Handgun Instructor (QHI) approved by MSP. Training must be completed within 2 years prior to application submission (Source: MSP W&C Permit page).

Training Curriculum Requirements (per Md. Code, Pub. Safety §5-306)

The approved course must cover:

• Firearms safety rules and Maryland firearm law
• Home firearm safety
• Handgun mechanisms and operation
• Live-fire qualification exercise (documented on MSP 29-14 Certification Score Sheet)

Training Exemptions

Certain law enforcement and military personnel may be exempt from training requirements. Consult the MSP W&C Permit page for current exemption categories.

Training Cost Notes

• Training costs are set by individual instructors and are not regulated by the state
• Prices vary significantly by provider, location, and whether the course includes range fees and ammunition
• The MSP does not publish a list of instructor fees
• Applicants must submit the MSP 29-14 Certification Score Sheet completed by the approved instructor as part of their application

Permit Duration and Renewal

Permit Term

• Initial permits expire on the last day of the holder's birth month, two years after issuance (Source: MSP W&C Permit page)
• Renewal permits are valid for three-year successive periods, provided the applicant maintains eligibility and pays the renewal fee

Renewal Process

• Renewal applications must be submitted before permit expiration — late submissions require starting over as an original (initial) application at the higher fee ($125 instead of $75)
• The MSP Licensing Portal sends renewal reminders to permit holders' confirmed email addresses
• Renewal requires completion of an 8-hour refresher training course (unless exempt)
• Renewal applicants must continue to meet all eligibility requirements

Practical tip: Because late renewals reset to original application status (higher fee, 16-hour training requirement, longer processing), applicants should begin the renewal process well before expiration.

Processing Timeline

• Completeness review: 1–5 business days after submission (Source: MSP W&C Permit page)
• Background investigation: Variable duration
• Total processing time: Allow approximately 90 days from application submission to final disposition
• Notification of decision is sent via email and postal mail

Note: Submission of a Wear and Carry Permit application does not authorize you to wear, carry, or transport a handgun. You must wait for permit issuance. (Source: MSP W&C Permit page)

Total Estimated Cost Summary

Important: These are estimates. MSP application fees are confirmed at $125 / $75 per the MSP website. Fingerprinting and training costs vary. Verify all fees with the MSP and your training provider before applying.

Payment Methods

• Statutory payment methods (§5-304(d)): Electronic check, credit card, or method of online payment approved by the Secretary
• MSP-accepted payment: Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order (payable to "Maryland State Police")
• Cash is not accepted (Source: MSP Fee Schedule page)
• All fees are non-refundable — fees will not be returned if the application is denied, withdrawn, or returned for deficiencies
• Applications and fees are submitted through the MSP Licensing Portal: mdsp.maryland.gov — Licensing Portal

Related Fees (Other Firearm Licenses)

For applicants who may also need other MSP firearm licenses:

MSP 77R application/processing fees are non-refundable. (Source: MSP Regulated Firearm Purchases page)

Statutory References

• Md. Code, Public Safety Article §5-303 — Permit requirement (carrying without a permit prohibited)
• Md. Code, Public Safety Article §5-304 — Application requirements and fee schedule (initial up to $125, renewal up to $75, replacement up to $20, exemptions)
• Md. Code, Public Safety Article §5-305 — Criminal history records check; fingerprint submission and fee requirements
• Md. Code, Public Safety Article §5-306 — Permit qualification standards (age, criminal history, training, mental health)
• Md. Code, Public Safety Article §5-307 — Scope of permit (concealment requirements)
• Md. Code, Public Safety Article §5-308 — Duty to carry permit on person
• Md. Code, Public Safety Article §5-312 — LEOSA provisions
• COMAR 29.03.01 — MSP Licensing Division regulations

Contact Information

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This guide references Maryland Public Safety Article, Title 5, Subtitle 3 and MSP Licensing Division sources as of April 2026. Fee amounts ($125 initial, $75 renewal, $20 replacement) are confirmed from both the statute (§5-304) and the MSP Wear and Carry Permit page. The MSP Fee Schedule PDF contains the authoritative complete fee list. Always verify current fees directly with MSP before applying.