Washington requires a license to carry a pistol concealed. Under RCW 9.41.050(1)(a), a person may not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Washington requires a license to carry a pistol concealed. Under RCW 9.41.050(1)(a), a person may not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol, except in the person's place of abode or fixed place of business. The license is called a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) and is issued under RCW 9.41.070.
Washington is not a constitutional (permitless) concealed-carry state. A CPL is needed to carry concealed and to carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle. Open carry of a pistol is generally lawful in Washington without a license for a person who may lawfully possess the firearm, subject to place restrictions in RCW 9.41.300 and the firearm definitions in RCW 9.41.010.
The CPL applies to pistols. RCW 9.41.010 defines a "pistol" as any firearm with a barrel less than 16 inches in length, or that is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand. Washington does not issue concealed carry licenses for any other class of firearm.
Nothing in RCW 9.41.050 permits possession of a firearm that is otherwise illegal to possess under state or federal law.
RCW 9.41.060 lists persons to whom the carrying restrictions of RCW 9.41.050 do not apply, including, among others:
The CPL is issued by the chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county where the applicant applies. Under RCW 9.41.070(1), the issuing authority shall issue the license within 30 days after the application is filed. If the applicant does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state identification card, or has not been a resident of the state for the previous 90 consecutive days, the issuing authority has up to 60 days. The agency may not refuse to accept completed applications during regular business hours.
Washington is a shall-issue state. The license must be issued unless a specific statutory disqualifier applies. A person may apply:
The license is valid for five years from the date of issue.
Under RCW 9.41.070(1), the license must be issued unless the applicant:
A person convicted of a felony may not have firearm rights or concealed-carry privileges restored unless relieved of disabilities by the attorney general under 18 U.S.C. 925(c), or unless RCW 9.41.040(3) or (4) applies.
Under RCW 9.41.070(4), the application bears the applicant's full name, residential address, optional telephone number and email address, date and place of birth, race, gender, physical description, a complete set of fingerprints, signature, and the applicant's driver's license or state identification card number if used for identification. The signed application also serves as a waiver of confidentiality allowing release of mental-health and health-care information relevant to eligibility to an inquiring court or law enforcement agency.
A photograph may be required and printed on the license. Non-citizen applicants must meet the additional requirements of RCW 9.41.173.
A person who knowingly makes a false statement regarding citizenship or identity on the application is guilty of false swearing under RCW 9A.72.040; under RCW 9.41.070(12), the license is revoked and the person is permanently ineligible for a CPL.
Under RCW 9.41.070(2), the issuing authority checks the national instant criminal background check system, the Washington State Patrol electronic database, the health care authority database, and other resources as appropriate to determine eligibility under RCW 9.41.040 and RCW 9.41.045 and under federal law. A background check for an original license is conducted through the Washington State Patrol criminal identification section and includes a national check by the FBI through submission of fingerprints.
RCW 9.41.070 sets the fees, which a political subdivision may not increase:
Payment may be by cash, check, or money order, and the issuing authority may allow additional methods. A licensee may renew within 90 days before or after the expiration date, and a renewed license takes effect on the prior license's expiration date.
Under the version of RCW 9.41.070 currently in effect, completion of a firearms safety training course is not a condition of obtaining a CPL.
This changes on May 1, 2027. As amended by the 2025 legislation (2025 c 370, House Bill 1163), RCW 9.41.070(1)(h) and (5) will require a CPL applicant to show a certificate of completion, within the last five years, from a concealed carry firearms safety training program certified under RCW 43.43.575. The certified program must include live-fire shooting exercises with a demonstration of safe handling and shooting proficiency, including a minimum of 50 rounds of ammunition fired at a range under an instructor's supervision. Applicants who qualify under RCW 9.41.1132(5) are exempt from the training requirement.
Buying a firearm in Washington has its own requirements that apply whether or not the buyer holds a CPL:
Washington recognizes out-of-state licenses only under the narrow conditions of RCW 9.41.073. The other state's license is honored in Washington only if (1) that state recognizes and gives effect to a Washington CPL, (2) that state does not issue concealed pistol licenses to persons under 21, and (3) that state requires a mandatory fingerprint-based background check of criminal and mental-health history. Recognition applies only while the license holder is not a Washington resident, and the holder must carry in compliance with Washington law.
Because few states meet all three conditions, the list of recognized states is short and often limited to specific enhanced-permit classes. The attorney general is required to publish the current list. Anyone relying on reciprocity should confirm their state's status before carrying in Washington at the attorney general's concealed pistol license reciprocity page (https://www.atg.wa.gov/concealed-weapon-reciprocity).
Key points for visitors and new residents:
If an application is denied, the issuing authority must provide written notice citing the specific statute and the grounds for denial. A person whose CPL application is denied may seek relief through a writ of mandamus in a court of competent jurisdiction under RCW 9.41.0975, directing that a wrongfully denied license be issued or that erroneous information be corrected. A person granted the writ is awarded reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
A person who has lost the right to possess firearms may petition for restoration:
A state court order restoring firearm rights restores rights only under Washington law. It does not restore federal firearm rights, and a person may still be subject to federal prosecution if prohibited under federal law. Restoration of state rights does not by itself guarantee issuance of a CPL.
By statute, the CPL and application carry a caution that state and federal law on firearm possession can differ, and that a state license is not a defense to a federal prosecution. A person prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law may be prosecuted in federal court even while holding a Washington CPL.
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| RCW 9.41.010 | Definitions, including "pistol" |
| RCW 9.41.040 / 9.41.045 | Unlawful possession of firearms; eligibility |
| RCW 9.41.041 | Restoration of the right to possess a firearm |
| RCW 9.41.047 | Restoration after mental-health commitment |
| RCW 9.41.050 | Carrying firearms; concealed-carry and vehicle rules |
| RCW 9.41.060 | Exceptions to carrying restrictions |
| RCW 9.41.070 | Concealed Pistol License: application, eligibility, fees, renewal |
| RCW 9.41.073 | CPL reciprocity |
| RCW 9.41.0975 | Court review; writ of mandamus |
| RCW 9.41.090 / 9.41.092 | Dealer delivery, purchase training, 10-business-day wait |
| RCW 9.41.121 | Permit to purchase (effective May 1, 2027) |
| RCW 9.41.1132 | Firearm safety training program requirements and exemptions |
| RCW 9.41.810 | General penalty for chapter violations |
| RCW 43.43.575 | Certified concealed carry firearms safety training programs |
| 18 U.S.C. 925(c) | Federal relief from firearm disabilities |
This page covers one part of our Washington concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Washington guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.