Washington State Concealed Pistol License (CPL): Application Process

Washington calls its concealed carry permit a Concealed Pistol License (CPL). The license is governed primarily by RCW 9.41.070. Washington is not a permitless concealed carry state. Under RCW 9.41.050(1)(a), a person may not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a CPL, except in the person's place of abode or fixed place of business. A CPL is also required to carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle under RCW 9.41.050(2). Open carry of a pistol by a person who may lawfully possess one is generally legal without a license, but this section covers the concealed license only.

Penalties tied to the license requirement:

• Carrying a concealed pistol without a CPL has no separate grade in RCW 9.41.050, so the general penalty in RCW 9.41.810 applies, making it a misdemeanor.
• Failure to carry the CPL in immediate possession while carrying concealed is a class 1 civil infraction under RCW 9.41.050(1)(b).
• Carrying or placing a loaded pistol in a vehicle without a CPL (or outside the conditions allowed for a licensee) is a misdemeanor under RCW 9.41.050(2).

The CPL is issued on a shall-issue basis. RCW 9.41.070(1) directs the issuing authority to issue the license unless one of the listed disqualifiers applies. The license is valid for five years from the date of issue.

Where to Apply

Under RCW 9.41.070(13), a person may apply for a CPL:

• To the municipality or to the county in which the applicant resides, if the applicant resides in a municipality.
• To the county in which the applicant resides, if the applicant resides in an unincorporated area.
• Anywhere in the state, if the applicant is a nonresident.

In practice this means residents apply at the city police department or the county sheriff's office with jurisdiction over their residence, and nonresidents may apply at any Washington law enforcement agency that issues CPLs. The issuing authority is the chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county, per RCW 9.41.070(1). The statute requires the issuing authority to accept completed applications during regular business hours.

Some agencies use online intake or appointment scheduling platforms, but an in-person appearance is still required for fingerprinting and identity verification.

Application Contents

Per RCW 9.41.070(4), the license application must bear:

• Full name
• Residential address
• Telephone number (at the applicant's option)
• Email address (at the applicant's option)
• Date and place of birth
• Race and gender
• Physical description
• A complete set of fingerprints
• Signature of the applicant
• Driver's license number or state identification card number, if used for identification

A signed CPL application constitutes a waiver of confidentiality and a written request that the Health Care Authority, mental health institutions, and other health care facilities release information relevant to the applicant's eligibility to an inquiring court or law enforcement agency. This waiver language appears directly in RCW 9.41.070(4).

The application also asks about the applicant's eligibility under RCW 9.41.040 and federal law, place of birth, and U.S. citizenship. An applicant who is not a U.S. citizen must provide country of citizenship, a U.S.-issued alien or admission number, and the basis for any exemption from federal prohibitions on firearm possession by aliens, and must meet the additional requirements of RCW 9.41.173. Applicants are not required to produce a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.

Application Steps

1. Obtain and complete the application form at your local issuing agency (city police department or county sheriff's office). Some agencies offer online submission or appointment scheduling.

2. Appear in person to submit the application. In-person appearance supports fingerprinting and identity verification.

3. Provide identification. Applicants generally present valid picture identification such as a Washington driver's license or state ID. Whether the standard 30-day or extended 60-day processing window applies depends on having a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state ID and 90 consecutive days of state residency (see Processing Time below).

4. Submit fingerprints. The application for an original license includes a complete set of fingerprints forwarded to the Washington State Patrol. RCW 9.41.070(2)(d) requires the original-license background check to include a national fingerprint-based check by the FBI.

5. Background check. Under RCW 9.41.070(2), the issuing authority checks the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the Washington State Patrol electronic database, the Health Care Authority electronic database, and other agencies or resources as appropriate to determine whether the applicant is ineligible to possess a firearm under RCW 9.41.040 or 9.41.045 or under federal law. The original license also requires the FBI fingerprint check described above. An applicant may request and receive a copy of the background check results from the issuing authority.

6. Pay the application fee (see Fees below).

7. Processing time. Under RCW 9.41.070(1):

   • 30 days for an applicant who has a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state ID and has been a resident for the previous 90 consecutive days.
   • Up to 60 days if the applicant does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state ID, or has not been a resident for the previous 90 consecutive days.

8. Issuance. If approved, the license is issued for five years from the date of issue. The original is delivered to the licensee, a duplicate is sent to the Director of Licensing within seven days, and the issuing authority preserves a record for six years.

A temporary emergency license may be issued for good cause pending review, but it does not exempt the holder from any records-check requirement and must be easily distinguishable from a regular license (RCW 9.41.070, temporary emergency license provision).

Fees

RCW 9.41.070 sets the statutory CPL fees. Local agencies may pass through FBI fingerprint charges, so the total collected can be higher than the base statutory fee.

No other state or local branch or unit of government may impose additional charges for issuance or renewal beyond what the statute allows. Payment must be accepted by cash, check, or money order; additional payment methods may be allowed at the option of the issuing authority (RCW 9.41.070, payment subsection).

Eligibility Requirements

Under RCW 9.41.070(1), the CPL must be issued unless the applicant falls within a disqualifier. The disqualifiers stated in RCW 9.41.070(1) are that the applicant:

• Is ineligible to possess a firearm under RCW 9.41.040 or 9.41.045, or is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law
• Has a CPL that is in revoked status
• Is under 21 years of age
• Is subject to a court order or injunction regarding firearms under chapter 7.105 RCW or one of the listed domestic-relations or protection-order statutes
• Is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a felony offense
• Has an outstanding arrest warrant from any court of competent jurisdiction for a felony or misdemeanor
• Has been ordered to forfeit a firearm under RCW 9.41.098(1)(e) within one year before filing the application

The cross-referenced ineligibility grounds in RCW 9.41.040 include, among others, felony convictions (unless firearm rights have been restored), certain domestic violence and harassment convictions, involuntary commitment for mental health treatment, and being subject to qualifying protection orders. A person convicted of a felony cannot have the privilege to carry a concealed pistol restored unless granted relief from disabilities by the U.S. Attorney General under 18 U.S.C. 925(c), or RCW 9.41.040(3) or (4) applies.

U.S. citizenship is not required. A non-citizen may apply if eligible to possess a firearm under federal law and the additional requirements of RCW 9.41.173 are met.

Carrying Requirements

A licensee must keep the CPL in immediate possession at all times when carrying a concealed pistol and must display it on demand to a police officer or when otherwise required by law. A violation is a class 1 civil infraction under RCW 9.41.050(1)(b).

Renewal Process

• A licensee may renew within 90 days before or after the expiration date of the license (RCW 9.41.070, renewal subsection). A renewed license takes effect on the prior license's expiration date.
• The renewal fee is $32. A licensee renewing after the expiration date must pay an additional $10 late renewal penalty.
• The Department of Licensing mails (or, if an email address was provided, may email) a renewal notice roughly 90 days before expiration for licenses expiring on or after August 1, 2018.
• Service members unable to renew because of out-of-state military assignment, reassignment, or deployment may renew within 90 days after returning to Washington, with documentation, and are not charged the late penalty. Agencies must offer a mail renewal process for these service members, and may offer online renewal.

If the license has been expired long enough that it can no longer be renewed within the 90-day window, the person must apply as a new applicant.

Replacement Licenses

A lost or damaged license can be replaced for $10, paid to the issuing authority (RCW 9.41.070, replacement subsection). Applicants who move should update their address with the Department of Licensing as required for their Washington driver's license; agencies treat the residential address on file as controlling.

Denial and Judicial Relief

Under current law (the version of RCW 9.41.070 effective until May 1, 2027), the issuing authority must deny a license to anyone found prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal or state law.

A person whose CPL application is wrongfully refused may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a writ of mandamus directing the issuing agency to issue the license, under RCW 9.41.0975(2). The same statute authorizes mandamus to correct erroneous information that resulted in a wrongful denial of a firearm purchase. RCW 9.41.0975(1) also grants good-faith immunity to officials and agencies for various licensing and background-check actions.

A person who knowingly makes a false statement about citizenship or identity on a CPL application is guilty of false swearing under RCW 9A.72.040, the license is revoked, and the person becomes permanently ineligible for a CPL (RCW 9.41.070).

Reciprocity

Washington has conditional statutory reciprocity under RCW 9.41.073. A person who holds a valid concealed pistol license or permit from another state may carry a concealed pistol in Washington without a Washington CPL only if all of these conditions are met:

1. The issuing state recognizes and gives effect to concealed pistol licenses issued by Washington (reciprocal recognition).
2. The issuing state requires a fingerprint-based background check of permit applicants covering criminal and mental health history, and has eligibility requirements substantially equivalent to Washington's, including not issuing licenses to persons under age 21.
3. The person is 21 years of age or older and carries the out-of-state license or permit along with valid government-issued photo identification.
4. The person is not a resident of Washington. RCW 9.41.073(1)(b) applies the recognition to an out-of-state license holder only while the holder is not a resident of this state, and the holder must carry the handgun in compliance with Washington law. A Washington resident cannot rely on an out-of-state permit and must obtain a Washington CPL to carry concealed.

The Washington Attorney General is required by law to review other states' laws and publish the official, current list of qualifying states at atg.wa.gov. As of the July 25, 2025 update, the recognized states were roughly ten: Idaho (Enhanced Permit only), Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana (Enhanced Permit only), North Carolina, North Dakota (Class 1 permits only), Ohio, South Dakota (Unrestricted Enhanced and Gold permits only), and Utah (Provisional permit not recognized). This list changes as states amend their laws, so always verify the current Attorney General list before relying on out-of-state reciprocity.

A nonresident from a state that does not qualify for reciprocity can still carry concealed in Washington by obtaining a Washington nonresident CPL. RCW 9.41.070(13) allows a nonresident to apply for a Washington CPL anywhere in the state. The same eligibility rules apply, and the extended processing window of up to 60 days typically applies to nonresidents.

LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act)

LEOSA is a federal authority, not a Washington exemption. Qualified active law enforcement officers carry under 18 U.S.C. 926B, and qualified retired or separated officers carry under 18 U.S.C. 926C. A retired or separated officer relying on 18 U.S.C. 926C must carry the photographic identification required by that statute and meet the annual firearms qualification standard.

In Washington, retired and separated officers commonly obtain a LEOSA firearms qualification through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) process:

• The officer must hold a photographic identification card from the former employing agency certifying that the officer separated in good standing. WSCJTC does not issue a substitute photo ID.
• The officer qualifies with a certified firearms instructor and receives a LEOSA firearms certificate. Any WSCJTC-certified firearms instructor may issue the certificate to an applicant who meets the minimum qualification standards.
• Applications are submitted through the WSCJTC Acadis portal with the agency-issued retirement credentials and a completed qualification sheet.

WSCJTC fees are non-refundable and have historically run higher for qualification at the WSCJTC range than at an outside range. Verify current fees and procedures directly with WSCJTC, because LEOSA is a separate federal pathway and is not a Washington CPL.

Changes Effective May 1, 2027 (Enacted)

Washington enacted significant CPL changes in 2025 (2025 c 370, the HB 1163 legislation). These are law, but the affected version of RCW 9.41.070 takes effect May 1, 2027. Until that date, the requirements described above control. Beginning May 1, 2027, RCW 9.41.070 adds:

• A concealed carry firearms safety training requirement. An applicant must show a certificate of completion from a training program certified under RCW 43.43.575 within the last five years, including live-fire shooting exercises with a minimum of 50 rounds of ammunition fired at a range under instructor supervision (RCW 9.41.070(5)). Applicants who qualify for an exemption under RCW 9.41.1132(5) are excused from the training requirement.
• Interaction with a permit to purchase. An applicant who presents a valid permit to purchase firearms issued under RCW 9.41.121 is exempt from the fingerprint-check requirement on the CPL application (RCW 9.41.070(2)(d) and (4)).
• Written denial notices. If an application is denied, the issuing authority must send a written notice citing the specific statute and the grounds for denial, and explaining how to request reconsideration (RCW 9.41.070(2)(e)).
• Judicial review. If the issuing authority upholds a denial after reconsideration, the applicant may seek relief in superior court under RCW 9.41.0975 (RCW 9.41.070(2)(e)).
• Annual reporting. Issuing authorities must submit aggregate, anonymized application data to the Washington State Patrol firearms background check program for statewide analysis (RCW 9.41.070(14)).

A further change scheduled for 2026 is noted in the official statute (HB 2632). Confirm the current text of RCW 9.41.070 at app.leg.wa.gov before relying on any provision near these effective dates.

Key Statutes