North Dakota Concealed Carry Reciprocity: States That Honor It

North Dakota Concealed Carry Reciprocity

North Dakota's reciprocity framework is governed by N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03.1. It works in two directions: (1) which other states' permits ND will honor, and (2) which other states will honor a ND Concealed Weapon License (CWL). Reciprocity in ND applies only to permit-based carry, never to North Dakota's permitless (constitutional) carry.

Statutory Framework

Under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03.1, the North Dakota Attorney General is authorized to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states whose concealed-carry licensing standards are substantially similar to North Dakota's. Substantial similarity is evaluated against the Class 1 CWL standards (live-fire qualification, background check, age requirements, training).

The Attorney General publishes the official reciprocity list on the AG website. Because reciprocity arrangements change frequently as other states modify their laws, always verify the current list before traveling at attorneygeneral.nd.gov.

Permits North Dakota Honors

North Dakota honors a valid concealed carry license or permit from another state if the issuing state either:

• Has signed a written reciprocity agreement with North Dakota, or
• Is recognized by the ND Attorney General as meeting substantially similar standards.

Both resident and non-resident permits from a recognized state are honored, provided the permit is currently valid in the issuing state.

A non-resident carrying in North Dakota under another state's permit must comply with all North Dakota carry laws, including:

• Prohibited places under N.D.C.C. Title 62.1-02 (schools, public gatherings, posted public buildings, liquor establishments, gaming sites).
• The law enforcement production rule under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-04 (produce the recognized permit upon request).
• Vehicle-carry rules (see Vehicle Carry section).

Non-residents are not eligible for ND permitless carry. They must rely on a recognized permit.

Permits Other States Honor From North Dakota

A North Dakota CWL is honored in another state only to the extent that other state recognizes it. Two key dynamics:

1. Class 1 has broader recognition than Class 2. Because Class 1 requires live-fire qualification, more states accept it. Class 2 (no live-fire) is rejected by states that require demonstrated firearms proficiency for reciprocity.
2. Resident-only states. Some states honor a ND CWL only if the holder is a North Dakota resident; others honor non-resident permits as well.

Always check the destination state's reciprocity page before traveling. Many states publish dedicated reciprocity maps through their attorney general or state police.

Reciprocity Does Not Extend Constitutional Carry

North Dakota's permitless carry under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-01(2) is a resident-only, in-state-only authority. It is not a license and is not honored by any other state. A North Dakota resident who plans to carry concealed outside the state must obtain a Class 1 or Class 2 CWL.

Conversely, a resident of another state's constitutional-carry jurisdiction cannot carry in North Dakota without either a recognized permit or independent ND constitutional-carry eligibility (which requires a one-year ND DL/ID, which non-residents by definition do not have).

Honored vs. Unhonored - Practical Examples

The list below illustrates how ND reciprocity tends to work in practice and is not authoritative. Verify each state on the current ND AG list before relying on it.

• Class 1 typical recognition: A substantial majority of states that recognize ND permits honor the Class 1 license. Common honoring states include Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Utah, Alaska, Arizona.
• Class 2 typical recognition: Class 2 is honored in fewer states than Class 1, primarily those that do not require live-fire qualification for reciprocity. Class 2 holders should confirm each destination state individually.
• States that do not honor ND permits: California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Hawaii, Illinois, and Oregon generally do not recognize North Dakota permits. Some of these are "may-issue" or "permit-required" states that recognize only their own permits or a very narrow set.

Carrying in Multiple Jurisdictions

When traveling through multiple states with a ND CWL:

• Comply with the most restrictive state's law for any prohibited place, signage rule, or magazine limit you encounter.
• Recognize that the interstate transportation safe harbor under 18 U.S.C. 926A (FOPA) protects only unloaded, inaccessible transport through non-friendly states - not active carry.
• Some neighboring states (e.g., Minnesota) require concealed-carry license holders to inform law enforcement on contact even if North Dakota does not. Adopt the receiving state's rule.

Federal Lands and Reciprocity

Reciprocity does not affect federal-law prohibitions. Even with a recognized permit, you may not carry in:

• Federal buildings or federal courthouses (18 U.S.C. 930).
• National parks where firearms are otherwise prohibited (post 2010, generally permitted under federal park policy if state law permits possession; verify specific park rules).
• Military installations.
• Sterile areas of airports (TSA regulations and 49 U.S.C. 46505).
• Indian Country, where tribal law may impose additional restrictions on non-tribal members.

Reciprocity Verification

Before traveling out of state with a ND CWL or into ND with another state's permit:

1. Confirm the current status on the issuing state's AG/state-police reciprocity page.
2. Confirm the current status on the destination state's reciprocity page.
3. Identify any state-specific carrying conditions (duty to inform, magazine limits, prohibited places).
4. Carry both your CWL and a backup form of photo ID at all times.

Statutory References

Contact and Current List

• ND Attorney General reciprocity page: attorneygeneral.nd.gov (Concealed Weapon Licensing section)
• ND BCI Concealed Weapon Licensing Unit: (701) 328-5523

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Reciprocity status changes frequently. The lists above are descriptive, not authoritative. Confirm the current ND AG reciprocity list and destination-state rules before traveling.