Fees and Costs for South Carolina Concealed Carry

Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP) Application Fee

• Application Fee: $0 (No Fee)
  • As of 2021 Act No. 66, Section 12.B, SLED may not charge a fee of any kind for a concealable weapon permit.
  • The previous $50 application fee was eliminated. The statute formerly required "payment of a fifty-dollar application fee," which was deleted by 2021 Act No. 66, Section 12.A.
  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-215(C)

Renewal Fee

• Renewal Fee: $0 (No Fee)
  • SLED may not charge a fee of any kind for a concealable weapon permit, which includes renewals.
  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-215(C)

Replacement and Address Change Fees

• Replacement Permit (lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed): $5.00

  • SLED shall issue a replacement for lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed permit identification cards after the permit holder has updated all information required in the original application and payment of a five-dollar replacement fee.
  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-215(L)

• Change of Address: $5.00

  • Any change of permanent address must be communicated in writing to SLED within ten days of the change, accompanied by the payment of a fee of five dollars to defray the cost of issuance of a new permit.
  • Failure to notify SLED of an address change constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by a $25 fine.
  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-215(L)

Fingerprinting Fee

• Fingerprinting: Up to $5.00
  • A law enforcement agency may charge a fee not to exceed five dollars for fingerprinting an applicant.
  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-215(A)(6)

Handgun Training Course Fee

• Training Course: $0 (No Fee from SLED)
  • If an applicant is unable to comply with the training provisions of Section 23-31-210(4), SLED shall offer the applicant a handgun training course that satisfies the requirements at no charge.
  • The previous $50 fee for the SLED-offered handgun training course was eliminated by 2021 Act No. 66, Section 12.B.
  • Note: Private training courses may still charge their own fees; the no-fee provision applies specifically to the SLED-offered course.
  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-215(C)

Fines and Penalties (Related to Permit Administration)

• Failure to surrender revoked permit: $25 fine (misdemeanor)

  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-215(J)

• Failure to report loss or theft of permit within 48 hours: $25 fine (misdemeanor)

  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-215(K)

• Failure to notify SLED of address change within 10 days: $25 fine (misdemeanor)

  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-215(L)

SLED Fee Collection Authority

• SLED is authorized to collect, retain, expend, and carry forward all fees associated with the concealable weapon application, renewal, and replacement of the permit.
  • Reference: S.C. Code § 23-31-216

Constitutional Carry Note

As of March 7, 2024 (2024 Act No. 111, the "South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2024"), South Carolina allows law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit. However, the CWP system remains available, and obtaining a CWP provides certain benefits, including avoidance of additional criminal penalties if a crime involving a concealable weapon is committed (S.C. Code § 23-31-215 as amended). The minimum age for a CWP was lowered from 21 to 18 years of age by 2024 Act No. 111, Section 23.

Summary of Fees