Washington Concealed Carry Reciprocity

Overview

Washington does not have broad concealed carry reciprocity, and it does not automatically recognize every other state's permit. Recognition is conditional and narrow, but Washington does recognize some out-of-state permits. Under RCW 9.41.073, enacted in 2004, Washington recognizes another state's concealed pistol license or permit when that state's law meets three specific conditions. A person who holds a qualifying out-of-state license may carry a concealed pistol in Washington without a Washington CPL, but a permit from a state that does not meet all three conditions is not valid in Washington.

Recognition under RCW 9.41.073 applies only while the out-of-state license holder is not a Washington resident, the holder is 21 years of age or older, and the holder carries the out-of-state license and a government-issued photo ID while carrying the pistol in compliance with Washington law. A Washington resident cannot rely on an out-of-state permit to carry concealed in Washington.

The Washington Attorney General's Office reviews other states' laws, sends an annual survey to each state, and publishes the official, current list of reciprocal states at atg.wa.gov. As of the last published update on July 25, 2025, Washington recognized permits from 10 states, several with permit-type restrictions described below. The list changes, so always verify the current Attorney General list before you travel.

Statutory Requirements for Recognition (RCW 9.41.073)

For another state's concealed pistol license or permit to be recognized in Washington, RCW 9.41.073 requires that the issuing state:

1. Recognize and give effect to concealed pistol licenses issued under Washington law (mutual recognition).
2. Not issue concealed pistol licenses or permits to persons under 21 years of age, and have eligibility requirements substantially equivalent to Washington's.
3. Require a mandatory fingerprint-based background check of both criminal and mental health history for all concealed pistol license applicants.

In addition, the out-of-state holder must be 21 years of age or older, must not be a Washington resident, and must carry the out-of-state license together with a government-issued photo identification.

The Attorney General has stated that this law "is clear, unambiguous, and confers no discretion on the Attorney General or any other Washington entity to ignore or waive any of its requirements."

States Recognized by Washington

A valid permit from the following states is recognized in Washington, provided the holder is not a Washington resident and carries in accordance with Washington law. The qualifications shown come directly from the Attorney General's published list (last updated July 25, 2025). Confirm the current list at atg.wa.gov, because states are added or removed as their laws change.

Some states recognize a Washington concealed pistol license even though Washington does not recognize their permits. If that is the case, you must carry in accordance with the law of the state you are visiting. Check the destination state's law before traveling with your pistol.

Complete State-by-State Status

The following table lists all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with the reason recognition is or is not established, per the Washington Attorney General's Office (last updated July 25, 2025).

Common Reasons States Are Not Recognized

The most frequent disqualifying factors are:

• Issuing permits to persons under 21 (for example Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas).
• No mandatory mental health background check (for example Alaska, Colorado, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, Virginia, Wyoming).
• No mandatory fingerprint-based background check (for example Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia).
• A state that does not recognize out-of-state licenses at all (California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island).

Several states fail on more than one of these criteria.

When You Are Not Covered: the Washington CPL

If your state is not on the recognized list above, you cannot carry a pistol concealed in Washington on your out-of-state permit. Your options are to obtain a Washington Concealed Pistol License, to carry openly if you are 21 or older and otherwise allowed to possess the firearm, or to refrain from carrying concealed. A nonresident from a non-qualifying state can still apply for a Washington nonresident CPL under RCW 9.41.070, described below.

License Required to Carry Concealed (RCW 9.41.050)

Under RCW 9.41.050, except in a person's place of abode or fixed place of business, a person may not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a concealed pistol license (or a recognized out-of-state permit under RCW 9.41.073). The same statute also requires a concealed pistol license to carry or place a loaded pistol in a vehicle. Carrying a loaded pistol in a vehicle without a license is a misdemeanor under RCW 9.41.050(2). The exceptions to RCW 9.41.050 are listed in RCW 9.41.060 and cover categories such as on-duty law enforcement officers and members of the armed forces on duty.

Non-Resident Washington CPL (RCW 9.41.070)

Washington allows non-residents to apply for a Washington Concealed Pistol License under RCW 9.41.070. Key points confirmed by the statute:

• The license is issued by the chief of police of the municipality or the sheriff of the county. A non-resident may apply anywhere in the state.
• The applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
• The license is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
• The standard issuance window is 30 days. It extends to up to 60 days if the applicant does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or state identification card, or has not been a Washington resident for the previous 90 consecutive days.
• The original license fee is $36 plus FBI charges passed on to the applicant. Renewal is $32. A lost or damaged license replacement is $10.
• A background check is run through the national instant criminal background check system, state databases, and the health care authority database. An original license requires a full set of fingerprints submitted to the Washington State Patrol for an FBI check, so applicants generally apply in person.
• A non-citizen may apply but must meet the additional requirements of RCW 9.41.173.

A CPL applicant is disqualified for the reasons listed in RCW 9.41.070(1), which include being ineligible to possess a firearm under RCW 9.41.040 or 9.41.045 or under federal law, being under 21, being subject to a qualifying firearms-related court order, being free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a felony, having an outstanding arrest warrant for a felony or misdemeanor, or being under a recent firearm forfeiture order.

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA)

The federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. 926B (active qualified officers) and 18 U.S.C. 926C (qualified retired or separated officers), authorizes qualified officers to carry a concealed firearm across state lines, independent of state reciprocity. LEOSA is a federal authorization, not a Washington exemption.

In Washington, the Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) administers only the firearms certification component of the LEOSA process for retired or separated officers. A WSCJTC firearms certificate alone is not sufficient. A retired or separated officer must also carry the photographic LEOSA identification card issued by the former employing agency certifying that the officer left in good standing. The state implementation provision is RCW 36.28A.090.

Other Washington Laws That Affect Visitors

Large Capacity Magazines (RCW 9.41.370)

Under RCW 9.41.370, no person in Washington may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale a large capacity magazine (defined as holding more than 10 rounds), subject to limited exceptions. A violation is a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. The statute regulates commercial activity and importation; it does not by its terms criminalize simple possession of a magazine you already own. This ban has been the subject of litigation, including State v. Gator's Custom Guns v. Ferguson, and remains in effect statewide. Confirm current status before relying on it.

Assault Weapons (RCW 9.41.390)

Under RCW 9.41.390, effective in 2023, no person in Washington may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale an assault weapon, subject to limited exceptions. Separately, under RCW 9.41.124, as amended by Initiative 1639, a Washington licensed dealer may not sell a semiautomatic assault rifle to a person who is not a Washington resident. A visitor should not plan to purchase these firearms in Washington.

Buying a Firearm While Visiting

Washington requires a waiting period for firearm purchases: under RCW 9.41.092, a dealer may not deliver a firearm until 10 business days have elapsed from the background check request. A separate permit-to-purchase requirement under RCW 9.41.121 takes effect May 1, 2027 and is not yet in force. Dealer sales are also governed by federal residency rules. A visiting non-resident generally cannot complete a handgun purchase from a Washington dealer because federal law requires handgun transfers to be made to a resident of the dealer's state. See the purchase and training sections of this guide for current details before attempting any purchase in Washington.

Open Carry

Washington generally permits the open carry of a pistol without a license by a person 21 or older who may lawfully possess one. A person 18 to 20 years old may possess a pistol only in their place of abode, fixed place of business, or on real property under their control (RCW 9.41.240(2)), so public open carry is not an option in that age range. Open carry of a loaded pistol in a vehicle still requires a concealed pistol license under RCW 9.41.050(2), and open carry is prohibited in the restricted locations set by state law. Open carry does not depend on reciprocity.

Practical Guidance for Travelers

• Coming to Washington: do not assume your out-of-state permit is valid here. Unless your state appears on the recognized list above (with the correct permit type), you are 21 or older, and you are not a Washington resident, you must obtain a Washington CPL or not carry concealed. Carry your out-of-state license and a government-issued photo ID.
• Washington CPL holders traveling out of state: confirm whether your destination recognizes the Washington CPL. Some states recognize Washington licenses even though Washington does not recognize theirs. Verify directly with the destination state.
• Carry in compliance with the host state's law: even where your permit is recognized, you must follow that state's rules on carry locations, magazine capacity, and duty to inform.
• Federal transport protection: the Firearm Owners Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. 926A, protects transporting a firearm between two places where you may lawfully possess and carry it, if the firearm is unloaded and neither it nor the ammunition is readily accessible from the passenger compartment (in a vehicle without a separate compartment, it must be in a locked container other than the glove box or console). This protects transport only. It does not authorize concealed carry.

Federal Legislation to Watch

A federal Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (such as H.R. 38) has been introduced in Congress in past sessions and would require states, including Washington, to recognize valid out-of-state concealed carry permits. No such bill has become law. Until one does, Washington reciprocity is governed solely by RCW 9.41.073 and the Attorney General's published list.

Key Statutes

Disclaimer

Concealed carry and reciprocity laws change. The Attorney General's recognized-states list was last updated July 25, 2025. Verify current status with the Washington State Attorney General's Office and the Washington State Department of Licensing before traveling with a firearm. This guide is informational and is not legal advice.