This page answers common questions about Washington's concealed pistol license (CPL), where you can and cannot carry, firearm purchases, and related...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
This page answers common questions about Washington's concealed pistol license (CPL), where you can and cannot carry, firearm purchases, and related state and federal law. It is general information, not legal advice. Washington's firearms laws are in Chapter 9.41 RCW. For guidance on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
Do I need a license to carry a concealed pistol in Washington?
Yes. Under RCW 9.41.050, you may not carry a pistol concealed on your person without a concealed pistol license, except in your place of abode or fixed place of business. Washington is not a permitless (constitutional) carry state for concealed pistol carry. A CPL is also required to carry or place a loaded pistol in a vehicle (RCW 9.41.050(2)).
How do I apply for a Washington concealed pistol license?
Apply through the chief of police of the municipality where you live, or the sheriff of your county if you live in an unincorporated area. The process is governed by RCW 9.41.070. The application requires a complete set of fingerprints, and the issuing authority runs a background check through the national instant criminal background check system and state databases.
Is Washington a shall-issue state?
Yes. Under RCW 9.41.070(1), the issuing authority shall issue the license within 30 days of the application unless the applicant is disqualified. If you do not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state identification card, or have not been a Washington resident for the previous 90 consecutive days, the issuing authority has up to 60 days.
Who is eligible for a CPL?
You must be at least 21 years old and not disqualified. Disqualifiers under RCW 9.41.070 include being ineligible to possess a firearm under RCW 9.41.040 or 9.41.045 or under federal law, having a revoked CPL, being subject to certain protective or no-contact orders, being free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial for a felony, and having an outstanding felony or misdemeanor arrest warrant.
How long is a CPL valid, and what does it cost?
A CPL is valid for five years from the date of issue. Under RCW 9.41.070, the nonrefundable fee for an original five-year license is $36 plus FBI charges passed on to the applicant. The renewal fee is $32, and the replacement fee for a lost or damaged license is $10.
Does Washington require firearms training to get a CPL right now?
Not yet. The current version of RCW 9.41.070 does not require completion of a firearms training program to obtain a CPL. A live-fire training requirement for CPL applicants, added by 2025 legislation, is scheduled to take effect May 1, 2027 under RCW 9.41.070(5) and RCW 43.43.575. Confirm the current requirement with your local issuing authority before applying.
Can a nonresident get a Washington CPL?
Yes. Under RCW 9.41.070(11), a nonresident may apply for a Washington CPL anywhere in the state.
Can I carry concealed without a CPL while engaged in outdoor recreation?
RCW 9.41.060 lists exceptions to the licensing requirement in RCW 9.41.050. These include any person engaging in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or horseback riding, when, considering all the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude the person is participating in those activities or traveling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area (RCW 9.41.060(8)). A separate exception applies to anyone carrying a pistol unloaded and in a closed opaque case or secure wrapper (RCW 9.41.060(9)).
Does a CPL cover rifles and shotguns?
The CPL applies to pistols. Open carry of a long gun is not licensed in the same way, but all firearms remain subject to the prohibited-place rules and other provisions of Chapter 9.41 RCW.
Does Washington recognize concealed carry permits from other states?
Yes, conditionally. Under RCW 9.41.073, Washington gives effect to a valid concealed pistol license or permit from another state, but only if that state qualifies under the statute. The other state must recognize and give effect to Washington concealed pistol licenses, must not issue licenses or permits to persons under 21, and must require a mandatory fingerprint-based background check covering criminal and mental health history. When a state meets all of these requirements, a person who is 21 or older may carry a concealed pistol in Washington on that state's license, as long as the person carries the out-of-state license along with government-issued photo identification and carries in accordance with Washington law. The Washington Attorney General publishes the official, current list of qualifying states at atg.wa.gov.
Which states does Washington recognize?
As of the Attorney General's update of July 25, 2025, the qualifying states were Idaho (Enhanced Permit only), Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana (Enhanced Permit only), North Carolina, North Dakota (Class 1 permits only), Ohio, South Dakota (with permit-type limits), and Utah (excluding the Provisional permit). This list changes as other states amend their laws, so always verify the current Attorney General list at atg.wa.gov before relying on it.
I am moving to Washington and want to keep carrying concealed. What do I do?
If your home state is on the Attorney General's qualifying list, your out-of-state license is recognized while you remain a nonresident, subject to the conditions in RCW 9.41.073. Once you establish Washington residency, plan to apply for a Washington CPL through your local chief of police or county sheriff under RCW 9.41.070. If your state does not qualify, you will need a Washington CPL to carry concealed.
I am visiting Washington. Can I carry?
If your permit was issued by a state on the Attorney General's qualifying list and you are 21 or older, you may carry a concealed pistol under RCW 9.41.073 while carrying that license and government-issued photo identification, following Washington law. If your state does not qualify, your out-of-state permit will not authorize concealed carry here. Open carry of a pistol by a person who may lawfully possess one is generally allowed, subject to the prohibited places below and the rules on demonstrations. You may also apply for a nonresident Washington CPL under RCW 9.41.070(11) if you are eligible.
What is Washington's law on open carry?
Open carry of a pistol is generally lawful in public for a person who may lawfully possess the firearm, and no license is required to openly carry a pistol. The prohibited locations below still apply, and RCW 9.41.300(2) makes it unlawful to knowingly open carry a firearm at a permitted demonstration, or within 250 feet of one after a law enforcement officer directs you to leave. A person lawfully carrying concealed under a valid CPL is exempt from the demonstration restriction (RCW 9.41.300(2)(e)).
Where am I prohibited from carrying a firearm even with a CPL?
Under RCW 9.41.300(1), it is unlawful to knowingly possess a weapon in:
A person with a valid CPL is exempt from the library, zoo or aquarium, and transit prohibitions under RCW 9.41.300(14). Violating RCW 9.41.300(1) is a gross misdemeanor (RCW 9.41.300(16)). Note that public parks and playgrounds are not listed in RCW 9.41.300.
Are firearms allowed on school grounds?
Generally no. Possession of dangerous weapons, including firearms, on school facilities is restricted under RCW 9.41.280, with limited statutory exceptions. This is a separate statute from RCW 9.41.300.
Can I carry a firearm at work?
Washington law does not generally prohibit carrying firearms at most private workplaces, but private employers may set policies prohibiting firearms on their premises. Public employers and certain regulated facilities have specific restrictions. Check your employer's policy and applicable law.
Can a city or county pass its own gun laws?
Mostly no. Under RCW 9.41.290, Washington fully occupies and preempts the field of firearms regulation. Cities, towns, and counties may enact only firearms laws specifically authorized by state law, such as the limited authority in RCW 9.41.300, and those local laws must be consistent with state law. Local laws that are more restrictive than state law are preempted.
Does Washington have a stand-your-ground or castle doctrine statute?
Washington has no statutory stand-your-ground law and no statutory castle doctrine. The lawful use of force is governed by RCW 9A.16.020, and justifiable homicide by RCW 9A.16.050, as interpreted by the courts.
Do I have a duty to retreat?
Washington case law holds that a person who is where they have a right to be and is not the aggressor has no duty to retreat before using lawful force in self-defense (for example, State v. Studd and State v. Reynaldo Redmond). The force used must be no more than is necessary under the circumstances (RCW 9A.16.020(3)).
How does the background check process work?
Under RCW 9.41.113, all firearm sales or transfers in Washington are subject to a background check unless specifically exempted, including private sales and sales at gun shows or online. Where neither party is a licensed dealer, the transfer must be processed through a licensed dealer. The Washington State Patrol firearms background check program runs checks through the national instant criminal background check system and state databases.
Is there a waiting period to buy a firearm?
Yes. Under RCW 9.41.092, a licensed dealer may not deliver a firearm until the required background checks are complete and at least 10 business days have elapsed from the date the dealer requested the background check. This 10-business-day waiting period was enacted in 2023 (chapter 161, Laws of 2023).
Do I need safety training to buy a firearm?
Yes. Under RCW 9.41.090, a dealer may not deliver a firearm unless the purchaser provides proof of completion of a recognized firearm safety training program within the last five years that meets RCW 9.41.1132, or proof of an exemption. A separate permit-to-purchase requirement under RCW 9.41.121 is scheduled to take effect May 1, 2027.
What are common reasons a transfer is denied?
Federal prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. 922(g) include a conviction for a crime punishable by more than one year, being a fugitive from justice, being an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance, being adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution, being an unlawful alien, being dishonorably discharged, having renounced U.S. citizenship, being subject to a qualifying protective order, and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence conviction. A person under indictment is restricted from receiving a firearm under a separate provision, 18 U.S.C. 922(n), not 922(g). State prohibitions under RCW 9.41.040 add further disqualifying offenses.
Can the Washington State Patrol pre-check my eligibility before I try to buy?
No. Eligibility is determined through an actual transfer at a licensed dealer. You can review RCW 9.41.040 (state law) and 18 U.S.C. 922(g) (federal law) to self-assess.
How do I restore my right to possess firearms?
Restoration of firearm rights is governed by RCW 9.41.041. The process depends on the disqualifying event and generally requires a petition to the appropriate court. A person who is federally prohibited (for example, after an involuntary mental health commitment under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(4)) may remain federally prohibited even if state rights are restored. Consult an attorney about your specific situation.
Can a minor possess a firearm?
Unlawful possession of a firearm is addressed in RCW 9.41.040. RCW 9.41.042 lists the limited circumstances in which a person under 18 may possess a firearm, such as while taking a hunter or firearms safety course, target shooting at an authorized range, organized competition, hunting or trapping under a valid license, on real property controlled by a parent or guardian with permission, or at the person's residence with parental permission for lawful self-defense.
What about adults between 18 and 21?
Under RCW 9.41.240, a person under 21 may not purchase a pistol or a semiautomatic assault rifle, and no person may sell or transfer a semiautomatic assault rifle to a person under 21. A person 18 to 20 years old may possess a pistol only in their abode, fixed place of business, or on real property under their control, unless an exception in RCW 9.41.042, 9.41.050, or 9.41.060 applies. These age rules were enacted by Initiative 1639 (2019).
What does Washington's assault weapons law do?
Under RCW 9.41.390, no person may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale an assault weapon, with limited exceptions. The law took effect April 25, 2023 (chapter 162, Laws of 2023). It does not prohibit continued possession of an assault weapon lawfully owned before that date.
Can I keep an assault weapon I owned before the law took effect?
Yes. The law limits the prospective sale and transfer of assault weapons while allowing existing legal owners to keep what they already own. Transfers are restricted to the narrow circumstances in RCW 9.41.390(2).
What is the penalty for violating the assault weapons law?
A violation of RCW 9.41.390 is a gross misdemeanor.
Do I have to comply while the law is being challenged in court?
Yes. Unless a court issues an order blocking enforcement, the law remains in effect.
What does the large capacity magazine law do?
Under RCW 9.41.370, no person may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale a large capacity magazine (one capable of holding more than 10 rounds), with limited exceptions. The law was enacted in 2022 (chapter 104, Laws of 2022).
Can I keep magazines I already own?
The statute restricts manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale. It does not by its terms prohibit simple possession of magazines you already own.
What is the penalty?
A violation of RCW 9.41.370 is a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
Is the magazine law still enforceable?
The law has been the subject of litigation, including Gator's Custom Guns v. Ferguson. Unless and until a court issues an order blocking enforcement, the restriction remains in effect. Check current court status before relying on any change.
Does Washington have a secure storage law?
Yes. RCW 9.41.360 makes it the crime of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm when a prohibited person gains access to an unsecured firearm and causes injury or, in the second degree, gains access in other defined circumstances. The law does not authorize warrantless inspection of your home.
Does buying a semiautomatic assault rifle require training?
Yes. Initiative 1639 requires proof of completion of a recognized firearms safety training program for the purchase of a semiautomatic assault rifle, consistent with the training standards in RCW 9.41.1132, in addition to the enhanced background check and waiting period.
Are NFA items legal in Washington?
Washington law in RCW 9.41.190 makes it a class C felony to manufacture, own, buy, sell, transport, or possess a machine gun, bump-fire stock, undetectable firearm, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle, with exceptions. However, RCW 9.41.190(2) provides that a short-barreled rifle is lawful if the person is in compliance with applicable federal law (National Firearms Act registration). Short-barreled shotguns and machine guns remain prohibited under state law except in the narrow circumstances the statute allows.
What is the federal NFA transfer tax?
The federal NFA tax is set by federal law. Under Public Law 119-21, the making or transfer tax is $200 for a machine gun or destructive device and $0 for other NFA items, effective for calendar quarters beginning more than 90 days after July 4, 2025 (the first qualifying quarter is January 1, 2026). ATF general pages may still display the older $200 figure. The federal registration requirement under the NFA still applies, and state-law prohibitions in RCW 9.41.190 apply independently of federal tax treatment.
Can I carry a firearm into an airport secured area or onto an aircraft?
No. Beyond Washington's airport restriction in RCW 9.41.300(1)(e), carrying a concealed or unlawful weapon on or attempting to board an aircraft is a federal crime under 49 U.S.C. 46505. Possessing a firearm in a secured area of an airport can also lead to federal and TSA enforcement.
Where can I read Washington's firearms laws?
Washington's firearms statutes are in Chapter 9.41 RCW, available through the Washington State Legislature at app.leg.wa.gov/RCW (use cite=9.41 for the chapter, or cite=9.41.070 for a specific section).
Where do I find federal firearms law?
Federal firearms law is primarily in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code. For the National Firearms Act and federal compliance, contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| Chapter 9.41 RCW | Washington firearms law (general) |
| RCW 9.41.040 | Unlawful possession of firearms (first degree class B felony, second degree class C felony) |
| RCW 9.41.041 | Restoration of firearm rights |
| RCW 9.41.042 | Permissible firearm possession by persons under 18 |
| RCW 9.41.050 | Carrying firearms (concealed and in vehicles) |
| RCW 9.41.060 | Exceptions to the carrying restrictions |
| RCW 9.41.070 | Concealed pistol license |
| RCW 9.41.073 | Reciprocity for out-of-state concealed pistol licenses and permits |
| RCW 9.41.090 | Dealer deliveries and safety training requirement |
| RCW 9.41.092 | 10-business-day waiting period |
| RCW 9.41.113 | Universal background checks |
| RCW 9.41.121 | Permit to purchase (effective May 1, 2027) |
| RCW 9.41.190 | Machine guns, short-barreled firearms, and other unlawful firearms |
| RCW 9.41.240 | Age restrictions on pistols and semiautomatic assault rifles |
| RCW 9.41.280 | Dangerous weapons on school facilities |
| RCW 9.41.290 | State preemption |
| RCW 9.41.300 | Weapons prohibited in certain places |
| RCW 9.41.360 | Unsafe storage of a firearm |
| RCW 9.41.370 | Large capacity magazines |
| RCW 9.41.390 | Assault weapons |
| RCW 9.41.1132 | Firearm safety training program standards |
| RCW 9A.16.020 | Use of force when lawful |
| RCW 9A.16.050 | Justifiable homicide |
| 18 U.S.C. 922(g) | Federal firearm possession prohibitions |
| 18 U.S.C. 922(n) | Federal restriction on persons under indictment |
| 49 U.S.C. 46505 | Carrying a weapon on or onto an aircraft |
This information is compiled from the Revised Code of Washington (Chapter 9.41 RCW) and federal law. Laws change. Always verify the current statute before relying on this information, and consult an attorney for advice on your situation.
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