Under Oregon Law (ORS 166.250 and ORS 166.291-166.295), if you wish to carry a handgun concealed upon your person, or concealed and readily accessible...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Under Oregon Law (ORS 166.250 and ORS 166.291-166.295), if you wish to carry a handgun concealed upon your person, or concealed and readily accessible within a vehicle, you must have a concealed handgun license (CHL). A CHL allows you to carry a loaded or unloaded handgun concealed upon your person or concealed within your control in a car or other means of transportation. The CHL applies only to handguns as defined in ORS 166.210(6), a firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.
Unless a firearm is partially visible, it is considered concealed under Oregon law. There is no specific statutory definition of "concealment" in ORS Chapter 166, but case law and sheriff's office guidance consistently hold that if the firearm is not readily visible to ordinary observation, it is concealed. This includes carrying inside a bag, purse, pocket, waistband, or jacket, as well as within a vehicle's glove compartment, center console, or under a seat.
CHLs are issued by the county sheriff's office of the applicant's county of residence and are valid throughout the entire state of Oregon (ORS 166.291(1)).
Oregon CHLs are valid for 4 years from the date of issuance, unless otherwise revoked or denied (ORS 166.292(4)).
No. Oregon does not recognize any other state's concealed handgun license or permit. There are no active reciprocity agreements. Your Oregon CHL carries no legal force outside of Oregon unless the destination state independently recognizes Oregon licenses. Before traveling to another state with a concealed handgun, you must verify that state's current reciprocity rules.
Yes. Oregon is generally an open-carry state. Adults who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms may openly carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in most public places without a CHL. However, individual cities and counties may regulate the open carry of loaded firearms in public places under ORS 166.173. Notable examples include Portland, Salem, Beaverton, Tigard, and Oregon City, which have enacted local ordinances restricting loaded open carry. CHL holders are exempt from these local restrictions under ORS 166.173(2)(c).
ORS 166.170 establishes that the State of Oregon has preemption over most firearms regulation, meaning local governments generally cannot enact firearms laws that are more restrictive than state law. However, there are specific exceptions under ORS 166.173 that allow cities and counties to:
To be eligible for an Oregon CHL under ORS 166.291(1), you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Under ORS 166.291(1)(f), you must demonstrate competency with a handgun by one of the following methods:
Note: The Oregon State Sheriff's Association offers an approved online course. Many county sheriffs also maintain lists of locally approved instructors and courses. The course certificate must be current, some counties require completion within the past year, though this varies.
Fees vary by county, as each sheriff's office sets its own fee schedule within statutory limits. Common fee ranges include:
| Application Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| New Applicant | $50-$115 |
| Renewal | $50-$75 |
| Transfer (from another county) | $30-$50 |
| Transfer with Renewal | $75-$90 |
| Change of Address and/or Name | $15 |
| Replacement/Duplicate Card | $15 |
Example: Columbia County charges $115 for new applicants and $75 for renewals. Multnomah County and other larger counties may have different fee structures. Contact your county sheriff's office for exact current fees.
Applications are submitted through your county sheriff's office. Many counties now use an online application system (such as Permitium). Gather all required documentation before starting the application:
The process generally involves:
By statute (ORS 166.292(1)), the sheriff's office has 45 days to process both new applications and renewals once all required documentation has been received, including fingerprints (for new and transfer applications) and a photograph. Most counties process applications in 2-4 weeks, but processing times vary. The sheriff must issue the license or provide a written denial within the 45-day period.
Yes. New applicants and transfer applicants are required to be fingerprinted regardless of whether fingerprints are already on file with the Oregon State Police. Fingerprints are submitted for both state (OSP) and federal (FBI) background checks. Renewals do not require new fingerprints.
No. Oregon does not require a CHL applicant to register their handgun or to qualify with a specific firearm. Do not bring your firearm to the sheriff's office.
Even with a valid CHL, there are locations where carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited or restricted:
State prohibited locations under ORS 166.370:
Locations with conditional restrictions: 4. Public buildings: Under ORS 166.370(3)(g), CHL holders are generally exempt from the prohibition on carrying firearms in public buildings. However, the Oregon Court of Appeals has held that certain entities (such as the Oregon University System) may impose restrictions. Federal buildings remain prohibited regardless of CHL status. 5. Schools (K-12): Under ORS 166.370(1), possessing a firearm in or on school grounds is generally prohibited. CHL holders have a statutory exemption under ORS 166.370(3)(g), but individual school districts may have policies that affect this. 6. Private property: Property owners and businesses may prohibit firearms on their premises. While violating a no-firearms policy on private property is not a criminal offense per se (Oregon has no specific criminal trespass-with-firearm statute), you must leave if asked, and refusal may constitute criminal trespass under ORS 164.245. 7. Indian reservations: Tribal law governs; your CHL may not be recognized. 8. National parks: Carrying is generally permitted under federal law, but firearms are prohibited inside federal buildings and visitor centers within the parks.
Note: Oregon law regarding firearms in public buildings and schools has been the subject of ongoing litigation. Always verify current law before carrying in sensitive locations.
Pursuant to ORS 166.295(1)(a), a CHL is renewable by repeating the procedures set out in ORS 166.291 and 166.292. You are not required to be fingerprinted again or to provide character references again for a renewal. You are also not required to retake a handgun safety course for renewal.
An otherwise expired CHL continues to be valid for up to 45 days after the licensee applies for renewal if:
Tip: Apply for renewal approximately 30-45 days before your expiration date. Applying too early (more than 45 days before expiration) may result in losing time on your current permit, as the new 4-year period starts from the date of issuance.
No. You must have a valid concealed handgun license to carry concealed. Carrying concealed with an expired CHL is a violation of ORS 166.250 and may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor. You must apply to renew your CHL and receive your new card before you are legally permitted to carry concealed again, unless you are within the 45-day grace period described above.
Under ORS 166.293, the sheriff shall revoke a CHL if the licensee:
The sheriff must provide written notice of the revocation, including the reason. The revocation takes effect upon the licensee's receipt of the notice.
Yes. Under ORS 166.293(5), if your CHL application is denied or your existing CHL is revoked, you may petition the circuit court in the county where the application was made or the license was issued. The court will conduct a de novo review (fresh hearing). If the court finds that you meet the statutory qualifications, it will order the sheriff to issue or restore the license. The petition must be filed within a reasonable time, and you may wish to consult an attorney experienced in firearms law.
ORS 166.295(2) requires that the licensee report a change of address to the sheriff. The sheriff shall issue a new license as a duplicate reflecting the new address. The license expires on the same date as the original. Failure to report an address change may result in revocation of your license under ORS 166.293. The cost is typically $15. You must update your address with the Oregon DMV prior to updating your CHL.
If you move to another county, you must apply for a CHL transfer with the new county's sheriff's office. They will notify the previous county that you are no longer a CHL holder there. You will need to:
Your existing CHL remains valid until the transfer is processed or it expires, whichever comes first.
If you move out of state and do not transfer your license to another Oregon county, you must notify your issuing county's sheriff's office. Your Oregon CHL does not automatically transfer to any other state. Some states may recognize your Oregon CHL independently, but you must verify this before carrying in another state.
Yes. Bring a marriage license or court documentation as proof of your name change. The cost is typically $15. You should also update your name with the Oregon DMV.
Report the loss to your county sheriff's office and apply for a replacement. The cost is typically $15. You should not carry concealed without your physical CHL card in your possession.
Oregon law does not require you to proactively inform a law enforcement officer that you are carrying a concealed handgun during a traffic stop. However, many CHL instructors and law enforcement agencies recommend the following best practices:
If you are carrying concealed without your CHL on your person, this is a serious offense under ORS 166.250 and can result in arrest, seizure of the firearm, and revocation of your license. Always carry your CHL with you when carrying concealed.
Possibly. Under ORS 166.291(8), the county sheriff may waive the residency requirement for a resident of a contiguous state (Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or California) who has a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need. Key points:
Yes. If you are an active member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard of the United States, or the Oregon National Guard, you may submit a renewal application through your county's online application system. Under ORS 166.295, provisions exist to accommodate military personnel who may be stationed outside of Oregon. Contact your issuing county's sheriff's office for specific procedures related to military deployment renewals.
Measure 114 was approved by Oregon voters in November 2022 and would have established a permit-to-purchase requirement for all firearms and banned magazines holding more than 10 rounds. The measure faced immediate legal challenges and was largely enjoined by courts. As of early 2026, key provisions of Measure 114, including the permit-to-purchase system and the large-capacity magazine ban, remain subject to ongoing litigation and have not been fully implemented. The CHL process under ORS 166.291-166.295 continues to operate independently of Measure 114. Check the Oregon Judicial Department website or consult legal counsel for the most current status of this litigation.
A CHL (Concealed Handgun License) under ORS 166.291 authorizes you to carry a concealed handgun. It does not replace or substitute for any separate purchase requirements. Oregon requires a background check (through a licensed dealer) for all firearm transfers under ORS 166.435-166.441. If Measure 114's permit-to-purchase provisions take effect, that would be an additional, separate requirement from the CHL.
Carrying a concealed handgun without a valid CHL is a violation of ORS 166.250 and is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $6,250. A second or subsequent offense may carry enhanced penalties. Additionally, the firearm may be seized and subject to forfeiture proceedings.
ORS 166.260 lists persons who are exempt from the prohibition on carrying concealed handguns without a CHL, including:
This page covers one part of our Oregon concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Oregon guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.