Utah Concealed Carry Laws

Statutory Authority

Utah Code § 53-5a-303 — Bureau duties — Permit to carry concealed firearm — Certification for concealed firearms instructor — Requirements for issuance — Violation — Denial, suspension, or revocation — Appeal procedure.

(Effective 5/7/2025 — Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 173 and Chapter 208, 2025 General Session)

Permit Issuance

Age and Processing Requirements

• The Bureau of Criminal Identification (bureau) shall issue a concealed carry permit for lawful self-defense to applicants who are 21 years old or older.
• The bureau must issue the permit within 60 days after receiving an application, unless it finds proof the applicant is not qualified.
• A concealed firearm permit is valid throughout the state for five years, without restriction, except as otherwise provided by § 53-5a-102.2.

Provisional Permit Holders Transitioning to Full Permit

• Within 90 days before turning 21, a provisional permit holder (under § 53-5a-304) may apply for a full concealed firearm permit.
• The permit issued under this provision is not valid until the applicant turns 21.
• Application fee: $10 (before July 1, 2026); fee set by the bureau on or after July 1, 2026.
• Applicants transitioning from a provisional permit are not required to retake firearms training.

Application Requirements (§ 53-5a-303(6))

Applicants must provide:

1. Address of permanent residence
2. One recent dated photograph
3. One set of fingerprints
4. Evidence of general familiarity with the types of firearms to be concealed

Exception for Law Enforcement Officers: A law enforcement officer (under § 53-13-103) may provide a letter of good standing from their commanding officer in place of the firearms familiarity evidence.

Firearms Training Requirements (§ 53-5a-303(8))

Training Content

General familiarity with concealed firearms includes training in:

• Safe loading, unloading, storage, and carrying of the types of firearms to be concealed
• Current laws defining lawful use of a firearm by a private citizen, including lawful self-defense, use of force (including deadly force), transportation, and concealment

Approved Methods to Satisfy Training

1. Completion of a course conducted by a national, state, or local firearms training organization approved by the bureau
2. Certification of general familiarity by a bureau-certified individual (may include law enforcement officers, military or civilian firearms instructors, or hunter safety instructors)
3. Equivalent experience through organized shooting competition, law enforcement, or military service

Important Training Rules

• Instruction must be in person — electronic/online instruction does not satisfy the requirement.
• Renewal applicants are not required to retake firearms training if:
  • They have an unexpired permit, OR
  • Their permit expired less than one year before the renewal application date

Nonresident Applicants (§ 53-5a-303(4))

Nonresident applicants residing in a state that recognizes the Utah permit or has reciprocity must:

1. Hold a current concealed firearm or concealed weapon permit from their state of residency
2. Submit a photocopy or electronic copy of that current permit

Exceptions: These requirements do not apply to:

• Nonresident active duty service members with orders to report for duty in Utah
• Spouses of active duty service members stationed with the member who present the member's orders

Penalty for False Information: A nonresident who knowingly and willfully provides false information is prohibited from holding a Utah concealed firearm permit for 10 years.

Former Peace Officers (§ 53-5a-303(5))

The bureau shall issue a concealed firearm permit to a former peace officer who departed full-time employment in an honorable manner, within five years of that departure, if the officer meets the requirements of the section.

Grounds for Denial, Suspension, or Revocation

Disqualifying Factors (§ 53-5a-303(2))

The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke a permit if the applicant or holder:

1. Has been convicted of a felony
2. Has been convicted of a crime of violence
3. Has been convicted of an offense involving the use of alcohol
4. Has been convicted of an offense involving unlawful use of narcotics or controlled substances
5. Has been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude
6. Has been convicted of an offense involving domestic violence
7. Has been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a state or federal court (unless withdrawn or reversed)
8. Is not qualified to purchase and possess a firearm under Title 76, Chapter 11, Part 3 or federal law

The bureau shall consider mitigating circumstances when making these determinations.

Danger to Self or Others (§ 53-5a-303(3))

The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke a permit if it has reasonable cause to believe the applicant or holder has been or is a danger to self or others, based on:

• Past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence
• Past participation in incidents involving unlawful violence or threats
• Conviction of an offense under Title 76, Chapter 11 (Weapons)

Note: The bureau may not deny, suspend, or revoke a permit solely for a single infraction conviction under Title 76, Chapter 11.

The bureau may inspect expunged records (§ 77-40a-403) and juvenile court records (§ 78A-6-209) in making these determinations.

Temporary Restriction Suspension

• The bureau shall suspend a permit if the holder becomes a temporarily restricted person under § 53-5a-504.
• Upon removal from the temporary restricted list, the permit shall be reinstated unless it has been revoked, suspended for another reason, expired, or the holder has become a restricted person under § 76-11-302 or § 76-11-303.

False Information Penalty (§ 53-5a-303(15))

An individual who knowingly and willfully provides false information on an application is guilty of a class B misdemeanor, and the application may be denied or the permit suspended or revoked.

Appeal Procedure (§ 53-5a-303(16))

• Upon denial, suspension, or revocation, the applicant or holder may file a petition for review with the board within 60 days from receipt of the decision (sent by certified mail, return receipt requested).
• The bureau's denial must be in writing and include general reasons for the action.
• On appeal, the bureau bears the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence.
• The board shall issue a final order within 30 days of ruling on the appeal.
• The final order constitutes final bureau action for purposes of judicial review under § 63G-4-402.

Concealed Firearms Instructor Certification (§ 53-5a-303(9))

Instructor Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must be currently eligible to possess a firearm under § 76-11-302 or § 76-11-303
• Must have completed a firearm instruction training course from the NRA or another nationally recognized organization, or the Department of Public Safety, Division of Peace Officer Safety Standards and Training (or equivalent training as determined by the bureau)
• Must have taken a bureau course of instruction and passed a certification test
• Must possess a Utah concealed firearm permit

Instructor Certification Details

• Certification is valid for three years from issuance, unless revoked
• The bureau provides the certification course twice per year
• Course includes instruction on current Utah law related to firearms, concealed carry statutes and rules, and use of deadly force by private citizens

Instructor Fees

• Initial certification: $50 (before July 1, 2026); fee determined by bureau on or after July 1, 2026
• Renewal: $25 (before July 1, 2026); fee determined by bureau on or after July 1, 2026

Instructor Obligations

• Must provide students with the bureau-approved course outline
• Must provide a signed certificate to students who successfully complete the course
• Must affix their official seal to each student certificate
• The seal is the exclusive property of the instructor and must be destroyed upon revocation or expiration of certification

Fee Structure Changes (§ 53-5a-303(17))

Beginning July 1, 2026, the bureau shall establish fees authorized under this part in accordance with § 63J-1-504. The bureau must also provide the Legislature with five-year data on permit holders, revenue, and expenditures from the Concealed Weapons Account.

Liability (§ 53-5a-303(14))

In providing instruction and issuing a permit, the concealed firearms instructor and the bureau are not vicariously liable for damages caused by the permit holder.