Application Process for a Nevada Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP)

Nevada is a "shall-issue" state for concealed firearm permits (CFPs). The county sheriff where the applicant resides (or, for non-residents, any county sheriff) processes applications under NRS 202.3653-202.369. The Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association (NvSCA) sets the minimum training standards under NRS 202.3657.

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1. Eligibility Requirements

Under NRS 202.3657(3), the sheriff shall issue a permit to any applicant who:

• Is 21 years of age or older, OR is at least 18 but under 21 if the applicant:
  • Is a current member of the U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component, or the National Guard; or
  • Was discharged or released from such service under honorable conditions.
• Is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under NRS 202.360 or federal law.
• Demonstrates competence with handguns by presenting a certificate from an approved firearm safety course (see Training, below).

Statutory Disqualifications (NRS 202.3657(4))

The sheriff shall deny an application or revoke a permit if the applicant:

1. Has an outstanding warrant for arrest.
2. Has been judicially declared incompetent or insane.
3. Has been admitted (voluntarily or involuntarily) to a mental health facility in the preceding 5 years.
4. Has habitually used intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance to the extent of impairment (presumed by a DUI conviction under NRS 484.379, or commitment under NRS 458.290-458.350, in the preceding 5 years).
5. Has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime involving force or violence in the preceding 3 years.
6. Has been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction.
7. Has been convicted of a crime involving domestic violence or stalking, or is currently subject to a protective order.
8. Is currently on parole or probation.
9. Within the preceding 5 years, has been subject to court-ordered conditions for withholding entry of judgment or suspension of sentence for a felony.
10. Has made a false statement on any permit application or renewal.

The sheriff may also deny or revoke a permit based on a sworn affidavit from a person 18 or older alleging facts that would constitute grounds for denial.

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2. Training Requirement (NvSCA Standards, effective April 2023)

All training must occur within the State of Nevada. The certificate is valid for permit application for one year from successful course completion.

Resident - New Permit

• Minimum 8 hours of instruction (may be one 8-hour course or two 4-hour courses no more than 15 days apart).
• Must include instruction in handgun use, Nevada firearms laws, concealed-carry laws, liability, and gun safety.
• Written examination required - minimum 70% to pass (oral exam allowed for learning disability).
• Live-fire qualification required (see below).

Resident - Renewal

• Minimum 4-hour course covering handgun qualification.
• No written exam required.
• Live-fire qualification required.

Non-Resident - New Permit

• Same as resident new permit (8 hours, written exam, live-fire).
• Training must occur in the county where the application will be filed; if that county has no approved CCW instructors, the applicant may train in the nearest county that does.

Non-Resident - Renewal

• Minimum 4-hour course in the application county.
• No written exam required.
• Live-fire qualification required.

Firearms Qualification Course

• Minimum 70% passing score on a humanoid silhouette target (B27, B21, or FBI Q).
• Live ammunition only - simulated rounds (e.g., Simunition) are prohibited.

6-shot (or larger) capacity: 30 rounds total

5-shot capacity: 25 rounds total (reload as needed for smaller capacities)

Acceptable Course Providers (NRS 202.3657(3)(c))

The course must be either:

1. A firearm-safety course approved by a Nevada sheriff (meeting NvSCA standards); or
2. A course offered by a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, community college, university, or national organization that certifies firearm-safety instructors.

Note: A single permit covers all handguns owned by the permittee - the applicant is not required to list or identify specific handguns on the application (NRS 202.3657(2)).

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3. Application Procedure

Applications are filed with the sheriff of the county of residence (residents) or any county sheriff (non-residents). Application forms are prescribed by regulation of the Nevada Department of Public Safety and furnished by each sheriff upon request.

Required at Submission

• Completed and signed application form (signature must be witnessed by the sheriff's designee - do not sign in advance).
• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license with current physical address).
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status (e.g., U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or resident alien card).
• Certificate of firearm-safety course completion (dated within the prior year).
• Fingerprints - a full set will be taken by the sheriff's designee at submission.
• Color photograph - taken by the sheriff's designee.
• Fees - paid at submission (typically via the Civil Division).
• Current permit (if renewing).

Incomplete applications will not be processed, and untruthful statements are grounds for denial (and constitute a disqualifying false statement under NRS 202.3657(4)).

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4. Background Investigation (NRS 202.366)

Upon receipt of an application (including a renewal), the sheriff must conduct an investigation including:

• Submission of the applicant's fingerprints to the Nevada Central Repository for Records of Criminal History, which forwards them to the FBI for a criminal-history check.
• A check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) created by the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Pub. L. 103-159).
• Optional voluntary reports from local law enforcement agencies.

Decision Timeline

The sheriff must grant or deny the application within 120 days of receiving a complete application (NRS 202.366(3)). Douglas County, for example, advises applicants that processing may take up to 120 days.

• If denied, the sheriff sends written notification setting forth the reasons for denial.
• If granted, the sheriff issues a permit containing a color photograph and statutorily prescribed information.

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5. Permit Form & Validity

The permit issued under NRS 202.366(3) must be in substantially the following form and include: county, permit number, expiration date, date of birth, height, weight, name, address, city, ZIP, photograph, signature, issuing authority, and date of issue.

• Permit duration: Valid for 5 years from the date of issue, unless suspended or revoked (NRS 202.366(4)).
• It is the permittee's responsibility to renew before expiration.
• Renewals cannot be submitted earlier than 120 days before expiration (per Douglas County guidance).
• The permittee must carry the permit and proper identification whenever in possession of a concealed firearm (NRS 202.3667).

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6. Confidentiality (NRS 202.3662)

The following are confidential and not subject to public records disclosure (except as released to law enforcement for investigation/prosecution, or under NRS 202.3665 and NRS 239.0115):

• The application and all information contained in it.
• Information provided to or obtained by the sheriff during investigation.
• The identity of the permittee.
• Records of suspension, restoration, or revocation.

Only statistical abstracts (e.g., number of applications and permits issued) may be publicly released.

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7. Judicial Review of Denial (NRS 202.3663)

If an application is denied, the applicant may petition the district court of the county where the application was filed for judicial review. Review is limited to whether the denial was arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion, and proceeds under the procedures of NRS Chapter 233B (Nevada Administrative Procedure Act) for review of final agency decisions.

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8. Federal Brady Act Status

Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(3)(A), a qualifying state-issued permit may serve as an alternative to a NICS check for firearm purchases from an FFL if:

1. The permit allows the holder to possess or acquire a firearm;
2. It was issued not more than 5 years earlier by the state where the transfer occurs; and
3. State law required the issuing official to verify the holder is not prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Because Nevada CFPs are issued only after the NICS and FBI fingerprint checks required by NRS 202.366, Nevada permits issued under the current procedure satisfy the federal criteria set out in 18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(3)(A). FFLs are not required to accept the permit and must follow the stricter of state or federal law. Whether ATF specifically lists Nevada permits as a qualifying NICS alternative should be confirmed against ATF's current Brady Permit Chart at the time of transfer.

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9. Statutory References

• NRS 202.3653 - Definitions (concealed firearm, handgun, permit)
• NRS 202.3657 - Application; eligibility; denial or revocation
• NRS 202.366 - Investigation; issuance or denial; expiration
• NRS 202.3662 - Confidentiality
• NRS 202.3663 - Judicial review of denial
• NRS 202.3665 - Duties of sheriff if applicant charged with violent crime
• NRS 202.3667 - Duty to carry permit and ID when carrying concealed
• NRS 202.360 - Persons prohibited from possessing firearms
• NRS 484.379 - Driving under the influence (referenced by NRS 202.3657(4) for disqualifying DUI conviction)
• NvSCA Concealed Handgun Training Standards (revised Feb. 2023, effective April 2023)
• 18 U.S.C. § 922(t) - Federal Brady Act background check and permit exception