South Carolina Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP) Application Process

Overview

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is the issuing authority for Concealed Weapon Permits (CWP) in South Carolina. The application process is governed by Section 23-31-215 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as part of the "Law Abiding Citizens Self-Defense Act of 1996" (Section 23-31-205).

Important Note: Following the enactment of the South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2024 (H.3594, signed March 7, 2024), law-abiding citizens may carry concealed weapons without a permit. However, the CWP system remains in place and offers certain legal benefits, including exemption from additional penalties under Section 16-23-495 for crimes involving concealable weapons.

Eligibility Requirements

Pursuant to Section 23-31-215(A), SLED must issue a CWP to a resident or qualified nonresident who:

• Is at least eighteen (18) years of age (amended by the 2024 Constitutional Carry Act)
• Is not prohibited by state law from possessing a weapon

Definitions (Section 23-31-210)

• "Resident" — An individual present in South Carolina with the intention of making a permanent home in South Carolina, or military personnel on permanent change of station orders.
• "Qualified nonresident" — An individual who owns real property in South Carolina but resides in another state.
• "Concealable weapon" — A firearm having a length of less than twelve inches measured along its greatest dimension that may be carried openly on one's person or in a manner hidden from public view in normal wear of clothing.

Required Submission Documents

Under Section 23-31-215(A), applicants must submit:

1. A completed application signed by the applicant
2. A photocopy of a driver's license or photographic identification card — Must be a valid driver's license or photographic ID card issued by the applicant's state of residence, or an official photographic ID issued by the Department of Revenue, a federal or state law enforcement agency, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. Department of State (Section 23-31-210(3))
3. Proof of residence, or if a qualified nonresident, proof of ownership of real property in South Carolina (certified current document from the county assessor per Section 23-31-210(6)); qualified nonresidents must submit a completed Real Property Tax Form (SLED Form R-168)
4. Proof of actual or corrected vision rated within six months of the date of application, or presentation of a valid South Carolina driver's license
5. Proof of training (see Training Requirements below)
6. A complete set of fingerprints — Two (2) complete, legible sets of fingerprint cards for new applications. A law enforcement agency may charge a fee not to exceed $5.00 for fingerprinting. If a medical condition prevents fingerprinting, a written statement from a licensed medical doctor must be submitted, and the Chief of SLED may waive the fingerprint requirement.

Additional Documents for Specific Applicants (New Applications)

• Active duty military: Must submit military orders
• Retired or former military: Must submit a copy of DD214
• Retired law enforcement officers: Must submit proof of retirement benefits/pension documentation
• Active/retired SC law enforcement officers (exempt from training): Must submit current legal and firearm training documentation
• Out-of-state retired law enforcement officers: Must submit proof of graduation from a federal or state academy that included firearms training
• Disabled veterans: Must submit VA documentation indicating disability rating or a qualified Service Connected card
• Signed copy of the current SLED CWP Instructor/Student Checklist must accompany the application

Training Requirements (Section 23-31-210(4))

Proof of training must be an original document or certified copy certifying one of the following:

Option (a): Handgun Education Course

Successful completion within three years before filing the application of a basic or advanced handgun education course offered by a state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency or a nationally recognized organization that promotes gun safety. The course must include:

• (i) Information on statutory and case law of South Carolina relating to handguns and use of deadly force
• (ii) Information on handgun use and safety
• (iii) Information on proper storage practices with emphasis on reducing accidental injury to children
• (iv) Actual firing of the handgun in the presence of the instructor (minimum of 25 rounds)
• (v) Properly securing a firearm in a holster
• (vi) "Cocked and locked" carrying of a firearm
• (vii) How to respond to a person who attempts to take your firearm from your holster
• (viii) De-escalation techniques and strategies

Option (b): Military/Law Enforcement (Partial Exemption)

The following persons must comply only with subitem (a)(i) (SC law relating to handguns):

• Persons who completed basic military training (must submit DD214)
• Retired law enforcement officers who are graduates of the Criminal Justice Academy
• Retired state or federal law enforcement officers who graduated from a federal or state academy including firearms training

Other Qualifying Proof of Training:

• (c) Instructor certified by the NRA or another SLED-approved competent national organization
• (d) Person who demonstrates proficiency in handgun use and state laws to the Director of SLED or designee
• (e) Active duty police handgun instructor
• (f) Person with SLED-certified or approved competitive handgun shooting classification
• (g) Member of active or reserve military, or National Guard

SLED-Provided Free Training Course (Section 23-31-215(V))

Under the 2024 Constitutional Carry Act, SLED is required to:

• Provide a statewide concealed weapon permit training course that satisfies proof of training requirements
• Charge no fee for the course
• Offer the course in every county in South Carolina at least twice per month
• Provide additional classes if demand exceeds capacity
• SLED may contract with private certified instructors or local law enforcement, or provide the course itself
• This does not prohibit private certified instructors from offering their own classes for a fee

Application Information Required (Section 23-31-215(E))

The application form requires:

1. Name (including maiden name if applicable)
2. Date and place of birth
3. Sex
4. Race
5. Height
6. Weight
7. Eye and hair color
8. Current residence address
9. All residence addresses for the three years preceding the application date

Applicant Certifications (Section 23-31-215(F))

The applicant must certify that:

1. He/she is not a person prohibited under state law from possessing a weapon
2. He/she understands the permit is revoked and must be surrendered immediately if the holder becomes prohibited from possessing a weapon
3. All information in the application is true and correct to the best of his/her knowledge

Three Eligibility Questions on Application

Applicants must answer "Yes" to all three to be eligible:

1. Are you a South Carolina resident or qualified non-resident? (Section 23-31-210)
2. Have you successfully completed the required training? (Section 23-31-210)
3. Are you allowed by all applicable federal/state laws and court orders to possess a handgun?

Methods of Submission (Section 23-31-215(H))

Applications may be submitted:

1. Online via SLED EasyPath System

• Begin the application online at www.sled.sc.gov/cwp
• Schedule an appointment at an IdentoGo by IDEMIA location
• At the IdentoGo site: submit application documentation and have fingerprints taken electronically
• SLED processes applications and reviews backgrounds

2. By Mail

• Mail completed application form and enclosures to: CWP Application, SLED Regulatory, PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221
• Must include two (2) complete, legible sets of fingerprint cards

3. In Person

• Applications may be submitted in person to SLED headquarters

If an applicant submits online, SLED may continue all contact through online communications.

Fees

• SLED may not charge a fee of any kind for a concealed weapon permit (Section 23-31-215(C))
• A law enforcement agency may charge up to $5.00 for fingerprinting (Section 23-31-215(A)(6))
• Replacement permit: $5.00 fee (Section 23-31-215(L))
• Address change: $5.00 fee (Section 23-31-215(L))

Processing Timeline

• Processing time may be up to 90 days from receipt of application
• Per Section 23-31-215(C): SLED must issue a written denial specifying reasons within 90 days from the date the application was received; otherwise, SLED shall issue the permit
• If a permit is granted by operation of law (due to failure to notify within 90 days), it may be revoked upon written notification from SLED that sufficient grounds exist
• Renewal applications should be mailed 90-120 days prior to permit expiration

Background Check Process (Section 23-31-215(B))

Upon submission of required items, SLED must:

1. Conduct or facilitate a local, state, and federal fingerprint review
2. Conduct a background check through notification to and input from the sheriff of the county where the applicant resides (or owns property, for qualified nonresidents)
3. The sheriff has ten (10) working days after notification to submit a recommendation
4. SLED must consider the sheriff's recommendation before making a determination
5. If the fingerprint review and background check are favorable, SLED must issue the permit

Denial and Appeals Process (Section 23-31-215(D))

• If denied, SLED issues a written statement specifying reasons within 90 days
• Appeal must be in writing, stating the basis for the appeal
• Appeal must be submitted to the Chief of SLED within 30 days from the date the denial notice is received
• The Chief must issue a written decision within 10 days from receipt of the appeal
• An adverse decision must specify reasons for upholding the denial
• Further review may be sought through the Administrative Law Court (pursuant to Article 5, Chapter 23, Title 1) upon petition filed within 30 days from delivery of SLED's decision

Permit Details

• Permit size: no larger than 3.5 inches by 3 inches
• Valid statewide unless revoked (Section 23-31-215(J))

Revocation Grounds (Section 23-31-215(J))

A permit may be revoked if the holder:

1. Becomes prohibited under state law from possessing a weapon
2. Moves permanent residence to another state and no longer owns real property in SC
3. Voluntarily surrenders the permit
4. Has been charged with an offense that, upon conviction, would prohibit firearm possession (permit must be reinstated at no charge if found not guilty)

Post-Issuance Requirements

• Lost/stolen permit: Must report to SLED within 48 hours (Section 23-31-215(K)); failure results in a $25 fine
• Lost/stolen firearm: Must report to appropriate local law enforcement within 10 days of discovery
• Address change: Must notify SLED in writing within 10 days with $5 fee; failure results in a $25 fine (Section 23-31-215(L))
• Replacement permits: Available for lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed permits for a $5 fee after updating all required information (Section 23-31-215(L))

Contact Information

• SLED Regulatory Department: 803-896-7015
• Website: www.sled.sc.gov/cwp
• Mailing Address: CWP Application, SLED Regulatory, PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221