North Dakota Concealed Carry Permit Fees and Costs

North Dakota CWL Fees and Costs

This section summarizes the state-imposed fees for a North Dakota Concealed Weapon License (CWL) and the typical ancillary costs an applicant should plan for. State-imposed fees are set by N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03 and administered by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Ancillary costs (training, range fees, ammunition, fingerprinting, photographs) are private-market costs and vary by provider and region.

State-Imposed BCI Fees

Personal checks are not accepted. Make all payments out to "ND Attorney General".

Permitless (constitutional) carry under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-01(2) has no state fee because no license is issued.

Typical Ancillary Costs

The state fee is only one component. The total cost to obtain a CWL depends on the class, instructor, and applicant's situation.

Training (Class 1):

• Class 1 courses including classroom, written test, firearm-familiarity demonstration, and live-fire qualification: typically $100-$200 depending on instructor, location, and length. Some instructors bundle range fees, ammunition, and a printed manual; others itemize them.

Training (Class 2):

• Class 2 administration of the open-book written test: typically $25-$75 depending on instructor.

Ammunition (Class 1 live-fire):

• Plan for 50-100 rounds depending on the test administrator's course of fire. At current prices for 9mm or .380 ACP target ammunition: roughly $25-$50 for a typical qualification course.

Range fees:

• Some instructors include range fees in the course price; others charge separately. Typical range fee: $15-$30.

Fingerprinting (FD-258 card):

• BCI may charge a nominal fee for fingerprinting at the BCI office. Many local law enforcement agencies offer fingerprinting at no charge for residents; others charge $10-$25. Commercial fingerprinting providers (UPS Store, dedicated fingerprinting services) typically charge $25-$50.

Photograph:

• Passport-style photographs are available at pharmacies and shipping stores for approximately $10-$20. Some training providers include the photo in the course price.

Postage:

• Certified mail with return receipt: approximately $8-$10.

Estimated Total Cost

A reasonable budget for an applicant who does not own the necessary equipment:

Costs vary materially by region (urban vs. rural), instructor, and current ammunition pricing. Confirm with the chosen test administrator.

Renewal Costs

A Class 1 renewal costs roughly the same as a new Class 1 application because the full training and testing must be redone. A Class 2 renewal is dramatically cheaper - the only out-of-pocket cost is the $25 state fee plus postage if no other updates are required.

Costs of Constitutional (Permitless) Carry

Constitutional carry under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-01(2) has no state fee and no required training. The only practical cost is the firearm, holster, ammunition, and any voluntary training the carrier elects to take. Most ND firearms instructors offer "private citizen defensive handgun" courses outside the CWL framework.

LEOSA Qualification Costs

Under HB 1589, BCI-authorized concealed weapon test administrators may also conduct LEOSA annual qualifications for retired law enforcement officers. The qualification is conducted at the officer's expense. Typical cost: $50-$150 depending on instructor and course of fire (which typically mirrors active-duty agency standards). LEOSA qualification does not include a state fee.

Fee Waivers and Reimbursements

North Dakota law does not provide a general fee waiver for CWL applications. Specific cases (e.g., active-duty military, certain disabled veterans, sworn law enforcement) should be discussed directly with BCI. Some employers (e.g., security contractors) reimburse training and licensing costs for employees who carry on duty; verify policy with the employer.

Cost Comparison

A North Dakota CWL is moderately priced compared to other states:

• States with higher total CWL costs than ND include Illinois ($150+ state fee plus 16+ hours of mandatory training) and several New England jurisdictions.
• States with lower or comparable total CWL costs include many constitutional-carry states with minimal training requirements (e.g., Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi) and some Southern shall-issue states.

ND's $60 state fee is in the middle of the national range. The Class 1 training requirement adds meaningfully to total cost but produces a license with broader reciprocity.

Payment Tips

• Obtain the cashier's check or money order after completing the training to ensure the certification date and application date are in sync.
• Make the payee "ND Attorney General" exactly as written.
• Photograph the cashier's check or money order before mailing for your records.
• Mail the entire packet by certified mail with return receipt.

Statutory References

Contact

• ND BCI Concealed Weapon Licensing Unit: (701) 328-5523 (current fee schedule and payment requirements)
• Mailing: BCI-CWL, PO Box 1054, Bismarck, ND 58502
• Website: attorneygeneral.nd.gov (Concealed Weapon Licensing section)