All Rhode Island concealed carry permits - whether issued by a local licensing authority under R.I.G.L. § 11-47-11 or by the Attorney General under...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
All Rhode Island concealed carry permits - whether issued by a local licensing authority under R.I.G.L. § 11-47-11 or by the Attorney General under R.I.G.L. § 11-47-18 - are valid for four (4) years from the date of issuance, unless sooner revoked for just cause by the licensing authority (R.I.G.L. §§ 11-47-12, 11-47-13).
Rhode Island does not maintain a separate "renewal" application process distinct from the initial application. Permit holders seeking to continue carrying after their four-year permit expires must reapply through the same process used for initial issuance:
Local Authority Permits (R.I.G.L. § 11-47-11): Reapply through your local licensing authority (typically your local police department). The local authority "shall issue" a permit to qualified, suitable applicants who meet all eligibility requirements.
Attorney General Permits (R.I.G.L. § 11-47-18): Reapply through the Attorney General's office, which "may issue" a permit upon a proper showing of need. Applications and guidance are available at the AG's Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) website.
The fee is $40.00 for each license or permit to carry, regardless of whether the application is submitted to a local licensing authority or the Attorney General (R.I.G.L. § 11-47-12).
All applicants - including those reapplying after expiration - must present the licensing authority with a certification form demonstrating that they qualified with a pistol or revolver of a caliber equal to or larger than the firearm they intend to carry (R.I.G.L. §§ 11-47-15, 11-47-16).
Upon reapplication, the licensing authority will again assess suitability, which includes verifying that the applicant:
Licensing authorities may take fingerprints, conduct background checks, perform mental health records checks, require training in use of force, require references, and interview applicants as part of the suitability determination (Gadomski v. Tavares, 113 A.3d 387 (R.I. 2015); Mosby v. Devine, 851 A.2d 1031 (R.I. 2004)).
For questions about Attorney General permit applications or renewal status:
For local authority permits, contact your municipal police department directly.
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| R.I.G.L. § 11-47-11 | Local authority permit issuance ("shall issue") |
| R.I.G.L. § 11-47-12 | Permit fee ($40.00) and four-year validity period |
| R.I.G.L. § 11-47-13 | Permit duration and revocation |
| R.I.G.L. §§ 11-47-15, 11-47-16 | Firearms qualification and certification requirements |
| R.I.G.L. § 11-47-18 | Attorney General permit issuance ("may issue") |
This page covers one part of our Rhode Island concealed carry guide.
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