Renewing a Nevada Concealed Firearm Permit

The Headline

Nevada Concealed Firearm Permits (CFPs) are valid for five years from the date of issuance under NRS 202.366(1). A permittee must renew before expiration by:

1. Completing an approved 4-hour refresher course (the renewal training requirement);
2. Passing a live-fire firearms qualification (same standards as the new-applicant qualification);
3. Submitting a renewal application to the sheriff of the county of residence with the renewal fee;
4. Demonstrating continued eligibility under NRS 202.3657(2)-(4).

The renewal application is filed with the issuing sheriff, who reviews and approves on the same shall-issue basis as the original application under NRS 202.3677. If a permittee fails to renew before expiration, the CFP lapses and the permittee must apply as a new applicant.

Statutory framework

NRS 202.3677(1) provides the basic renewal authority:

"The sheriff may renew a permit upon receipt of payment of the renewal fee and submission and approval of the application for renewal."

NRS 202.3677(2) requires that the renewal application include:

• A statement that the permittee meets all eligibility requirements;
• Authorization for the sheriff to conduct a background check;
• Proof of completion of the renewal course (the 4-hour refresher) within the preceding renewal period.

NRS 202.3677(3) establishes the continued competence requirement:

"No permit may be renewed pursuant to this section unless the permittee has demonstrated continued competence with handguns by successfully completing a course prescribed by the sheriff renewing the permit."

The Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association (NvSCA) prescribes the minimum 4-hour refresher standard, which all Nevada sheriffs follow.

Eligibility for renewal

A permittee may renew if they:

1. Are at least 21 years of age (or 18 if a member of the U.S. Armed Forces);
2. Continue to meet all eligibility requirements under NRS 202.3657(2) and (4) - i.e., are not a prohibited person under state or federal law, have no outstanding warrants, have not been convicted of a disqualifying offense, are not subject to a protective order, etc.;
3. Have completed the required refresher course; and
4. Submit the renewal application with the renewal fee before the CFP expires.

The renewal background check includes:

• NCIC for outstanding warrants;
• NICS for federal prohibitors under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g);
• Nevada criminal history records check;
• Review of any pending Nevada criminal charges.

Refresher course requirements (NvSCA Minimum Training Standards)

The renewal course must be at least 4 hours and must include:

• Review of safe handling and storage of firearms;
• Review of Nevada laws relating to the use of firearms and concealed carry, including any changes since the prior renewal;
• Live-fire firearms qualification (same scoring standards as the new-applicant qualification - 70% minimum on a humanoid-style target at 3, 5, and 7 yards).

The renewal does not require a written examination. The refresher is shorter and focused on safety, legal updates, and shooting proficiency.

Course requirements (NvSCA standards, revised February 2023):

• Location: Must take place in Nevada. For non-residents renewing in Nevada, training must take place in the county where the renewal application will be filed (or the nearest county with approved instructors if the application county has none).
• Instructor: Must be NvSCA-approved and approved by a Nevada sheriff (typically the sheriff of the county where the instructor teaches).
• Course content: At minimum 4 hours, including classroom and range time, with the qualification course of fire (30 rounds for 6-shot or larger; 25 rounds for 5-shot).
• Certificate: Must state qualification with a handgun (specific make, model, and caliber not required), course length (4 hours), classroom and range locations, and bear the instructor and student signatures and initials.

Certificate validity: One year from the date of successful completion. The permittee must submit the renewal application within this one-year window.

When to file the renewal

Best practice: file the renewal 30 to 60 days before the CFP expires. This allows time for:

• The sheriff's background check (typically 30-45 days);
• Any administrative follow-up (e.g., missing documents);
• Receipt and pickup of the renewed permit before the old one expires.

Filing earlier than 90 days before expiration is generally permitted, but some sheriffs prefer to receive renewals closer to expiration to minimize the gap between the underlying background check and the new term.

If the CFP expires before renewal:

• The permittee may not carry concealed under the lapsed permit.
• The permittee may file a renewal application within one year after expiration under most sheriff policies, but the CFP itself is inactive during the gap.
• After more than one year past expiration, the permittee must apply as a new applicant (8-hour initial course, full application, full fee structure).

Renewal fees

Per NRS 202.3678 and county-specific fee schedules:

• Renewal application fee: typically $25 to $30 (set by the issuing sheriff under statutory authority);
• Fingerprint processing fee: typically $25 to $40 (varies by county; some sheriffs waive the fingerprint requirement on renewal if recent fingerprints are on file);
• Background check fee: typically $30 to $40 (varies by county and by the level of background check required);
• Training course cost: $50 to $200 from private instructors (the sheriff does not collect this).

Total typical renewal cost: approximately $120 to $250, plus the training course.

See FEES_COSTS for the detailed fee breakdown.

Submitting the renewal application

The standard renewal application package includes:

• Completed renewal application form (provided by the sheriff or downloadable from the sheriff's website);
• Copy of the current (about-to-expire) CFP;
• Government-issued photo ID;
• Refresher course certificate (signed by an approved instructor, showing the 4-hour course content, classroom and range locations, and the live-fire qualification result);
• Renewal fee (typically cashier's check or money order; some counties accept credit cards);
• Proof of Nevada residency (utility bill, lease, voter registration);
• Authorization for background check.

Many sheriff's offices in Nevada (notably Clark County, Washoe County, and Carson City) accept renewal applications in person by appointment. A few offer mail-in renewal for permittees who reside outside the county or have travel constraints; check with the specific sheriff's office.

Approval timeline

Under NRS 202.3677, the sheriff has the same processing-time framework as for new applications. In practice:

• Clark County (Las Vegas Metro): 60-90 days from filing to approval.
• Washoe County (Reno): 30-60 days.
• Carson City and rural counties: 30-45 days.

The sheriff's office will notify the permittee by phone, email, or mail when the renewed permit is ready for pickup.

Denial of renewal

The sheriff may deny renewal on the same grounds as a new application:

• The permittee is no longer eligible under NRS 202.3657(2)-(4);
• The permittee has been convicted of a disqualifying offense during the prior term;
• The permittee has become subject to a federal prohibitor under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g);
• The permittee failed to complete the renewal training requirement;
• The permittee made a false statement on the renewal application;
• The sheriff has substantial evidence that the permittee may pose a danger to self or others.

A denial must be in writing with the reasons. The permittee has a right to administrative review under Nevada's administrative procedures.

Expired permits and the one-year window

Under most Nevada sheriff policies (consistent with NvSCA guidance):

• A permittee may renew up to one year after expiration with the same renewal procedure, but the CFP itself is not valid during the gap.
• After more than one year past expiration, the permittee must apply as a new applicant - 8-hour initial course, full application, written examination, and live-fire qualification.

A permittee who knows they will be unable to renew on time (e.g., extended out-of-state travel) should contact the issuing sheriff's office before expiration to discuss options. Some sheriffs grant short administrative extensions for documented hardship.

What changes between original application and renewal

Change of name or address

Under NRS 202.367, a permittee must notify the issuing sheriff in writing within 30 days of any change of address (or name change, by court order). The notification is a separate process from renewal and is handled by the sheriff's office records section.

Out-of-state move

A Nevada CFP holder who moves out of state may continue to use the Nevada CFP in Nevada for any visits during the term of the permit, but should obtain a permit from the new state of residence. The Nevada CFP does not automatically transfer; however, the Nevada CFP may be honored under reciprocity by the new state if the new state recognizes Nevada CFPs (see RECIPROCITY).

At renewal time, the former Nevada resident must check eligibility:

• If still a U.S. citizen or lawful resident and not a prohibited person, the former resident may apply for a non-resident Nevada CFP through the sheriff of the Nevada county they intend to visit most frequently.
• The non-resident renewal follows the same 4-hour refresher and live-fire qualification rules, taken in Nevada in the county of application.

Key statutory references

• NRS 202.3677 - Renewal of permit; continued competence requirement.
• NRS 202.366 - Term of permit (five years).
• NRS 202.367 - Notice of address change.
• NRS 202.3678 - Application fee structure.
• NRS 202.3657 - Eligibility requirements (applies to renewal as well).
• 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) - Federal prohibited persons (applies to renewal).

See PERMIT_BASICS for the original permit framework, APPLICATION_PROCESS for the new-applicant procedure, TRAINING_REQUIREMENTS for course details, and FEES_COSTS for the fee schedule.