Washington Concealed Pistol License (CPL) Renewal

Outside your own place of abode or fixed place of business, Washington requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) to carry a pistol concealed on your person, and a CPL is required to carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle. The license, its application, fees, and renewal are all governed by RCW 9.41.070. Washington is a shall-issue state: the chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county must issue or renew the license unless the applicant is disqualified under the statute (RCW 9.41.070(1)).

Note on timing: RCW 9.41.070 currently runs in two versions. The text described below as current is the version effective until May 1, 2027. A second version takes effect May 1, 2027 and adds a live-fire training requirement and a data-reporting duty. The statute also carries a notice that a further 2026 amendment (House Bill 2632) is scheduled to change this section. Confirm the operative text before relying on a specific subsection number, because the subsection numbering shifts between the two versions.

License Duration

A Washington CPL is valid for five years from the date of issue (RCW 9.41.070(1)).

Renewal Window and Deadlines

• Renewal window: A licensee may renew within 90 days before or 90 days after the expiration date of the license (RCW 9.41.070(9)(a)).
• Late renewal: Renewing after the expiration date requires a $10 late renewal penalty in addition to the renewal fee (RCW 9.41.070(9)(a)).
• A renewed license takes effect on the expiration date of the prior license, not the date of application, so there is no gap or overlap in coverage (RCW 9.41.070(9)(a)).
• Beyond the 90-day late window: The statute only authorizes renewal within that 90-day-before or 90-day-after period. A person who lets a license lapse past that window generally must apply for a new original license rather than renew. Confirm the procedure with your issuing agency, because practice varies by jurisdiction.

Renewal Notices from the Department of Licensing

For CPLs that expire on or after August 1, 2018, the Department of Licensing (DOL) mails a renewal notice approximately 90 days before the license expiration date to the address listed on the application, or sends it to the email address the licensee provided at the time of application (RCW 9.41.070(9)(b)).

The notice must contain:

• The date the CPL will expire
• The amount of the renewal fee
• The penalty for late renewal
• Instructions on how to renew the license

The statute does not excuse a late renewal because a notice was not received. Keep your address current with the issuing authority and DOL.

Where to Renew

Applications, including renewals, are filed based on residency (RCW 9.41.070(13)):

• A resident of a municipality may apply to the municipality or to the county in which the applicant resides.
• A resident of an unincorporated area applies to the county in which the applicant resides.
• A nonresident may apply anywhere in the state.

The issuing authority cannot refuse to accept completed applications during regular business hours (RCW 9.41.070(1)). Specific procedures such as walk-in service, appointments, or online renewal are set by each local agency. Contact your issuing agency for its process.

Renewal Requirements (Current, Effective Until May 1, 2027)

To renew, the applicant must continue to qualify under RCW 9.41.070 and must not fall into any disqualifier. Under RCW 9.41.070(1), the license must be issued unless the applicant:

• Is ineligible to possess a firearm under RCW 9.41.040 or RCW 9.41.045, or is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law
• Holds 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 the other listed family-law and harassment statutes
• Is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a felony offense
• Has an outstanding warrant for arrest for a felony or misdemeanor
• Has been ordered to forfeit a firearm under RCW 9.41.098(1)(e) within one year before applying

The issuing authority runs a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the Washington State Patrol database, the Health Care Authority database, and other resources, and these checks apply to both new and renewal applications (RCW 9.41.070(2)). A full fingerprint-based FBI check is required for an original license; the statute ties that fingerprint submission to the original application, so a renewal generally does not require a new set of fingerprints (RCW 9.41.070(2), (4)).

Non-citizen applicants must meet the additional requirements of RCW 9.41.173 and provide proof of compliance at application (RCW 9.41.070(4)).

No training is required to obtain or renew a Washington CPL under the current version of the statute. That changes on May 1, 2027 (see below).

New Training Requirement (Effective May 1, 2027)

Under the version of RCW 9.41.070 that takes effect May 1, 2027 (enacted by 2025 c 370, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1163), an applicant for issuance of a CPL, including a renewal, must complete a concealed carry firearms safety training program certified under RCW 43.43.575. The training must include (RCW 9.41.070(5)(a)):

• Live-fire shooting exercises on a firing range
• A demonstration by the applicant of safe handling of, and shooting proficiency with, firearms
• A minimum of 50 rounds of ammunition firing training at a firing range under the supervision of an instructor

An applicant who cannot produce a certificate of completion within the last five years, or proof of an exemption, is disqualified (RCW 9.41.070(1)(h), effective May 1, 2027). Applicants who can demonstrate they are exempt under RCW 9.41.1132(5) do not have to complete the training (RCW 9.41.070(5)(b)).

In the post-2027 version, an applicant who presents a valid permit to purchase firearms issued under RCW 9.41.121 is exempt from the fingerprint requirement on a CPL application (RCW 9.41.070(2)(d), (4)).

New Reporting Requirement (Effective May 1, 2027)

Beginning not later than one year after May 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, issuing authorities must submit aggregate license application data to the Washington State Patrol firearms background check program for statewide analysis. Not later than 18 months after May 1, 2027, the program reports to the legislature on application, issuance, and denial numbers, anonymized demographic data, the disqualifiers cited in denials, appeals, and revocations (RCW 9.41.070(14), effective May 1, 2027).

Fees

All fees are nonrefundable and are set by statute. No other state or local unit of government may impose additional charges for issuing or renewing the license (RCW 9.41.070).

Because the original fee adds the federal fingerprint processing charge on top of the $36 base, the total an applicant pays for an original license is commonly higher than $36; the exact total depends on the FBI charge passed through by the agency.

Renewal Fee Distribution (RCW 9.41.070(6))

The $32 renewal fee is distributed as follows:

• $15.00 to the state general fund
• $14.00 to the issuing authority for enforcing chapter 9.41 RCW
• $2.16 to the firearms range account in the general fund
• $0.84 to the concealed pistol license renewal notification account created in RCW 43.79.540

Late Renewal Penalty Distribution (RCW 9.41.070(9)(a))

The $10 late penalty is distributed as follows:

• $3.00 to the limited fish and wildlife account, used first for printing and distributing a firearms safety and legal-limits pamphlet and then to support volunteer instructors in the basic firearms safety training program run by the Department of Fish and Wildlife
• $7.00 to the issuing authority for enforcing chapter 9.41 RCW

Payment Methods

Payment must be accepted by cash, check, or money order at the applicant's option. The issuing authority may allow additional payment methods at its option (RCW 9.41.070(8)).

Processing Time

The issuing authority must act within 30 days after the application is filed. If the applicant does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or Washington state identification card, or has not been a resident for the previous 90 consecutive days, the issuing authority has up to 60 days (RCW 9.41.070(1)).

Military Service Exception

A member of the armed forces, including the National Guard and reserves, who cannot renew on time because of an out-of-state assignment, reassignment, or deployment may renew within 90 days after returning to Washington, if the person provides the issuing authority, no later than 90 days after the date of discharge or of the order back to this state (RCW 9.41.070(14)):

• A copy of the original order designating the period of out-of-state military service, and
• If applicable, a copy of the discharge or amended or subsequent order back to this state

A license renewed under this provision takes effect on the expiration date of the prior license, and the licensee pays only the standard renewal fee with no late penalty (RCW 9.41.070(14)).

Mail and Online Renewal for Deployed Military (RCW 9.41.070(15))

By October 1, 2019, agencies that issue CPLs were required to develop and implement a mail-application renewal procedure, and may develop an online process, for a service member who cannot renew in person because of out-of-state military service. The applicant must provide a copy of the original deployment or assignment order, apply within the 90-day-before or 90-day-after window, and pay the renewal fee plus any applicable late penalty. A license renewed through this process takes effect on the expiration date of the prior license and is valid for one year (RCW 9.41.070(15)).

Temporary Emergency License

The chief of police or county sheriff may issue a temporary emergency license for good cause while a full review is pending. A temporary emergency license does not exempt the holder from any records-check requirement and must be easily distinguishable from a regular license (RCW 9.41.070(10)).

Protection Orders and Their Effect on a CPL

A person who is subject to a court order or injunction regarding firearms under chapter 7.105 RCW is disqualified from holding or renewing a CPL (RCW 9.41.070(1)(d)). Chapter 7.105 RCW is Washington's consolidated civil protection order chapter, which covers domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, antiharassment, vulnerable adult, and extreme risk protection orders.

An extreme risk protection order specifically requires the respondent to surrender all firearms and any concealed pistol license issued under RCW 9.41.070, and bars the respondent from possessing or obtaining a firearm or a CPL while the order is in effect (the surrender requirements are set out in RCW 7.105.340 and are referenced in the temporary order statute, RCW 7.105.330).

A person who becomes subject to a qualifying order cannot renew a CPL and may have an existing license surrendered or revoked. Violating a firearms-surrender provision can carry criminal consequences. Consult the specific order and chapter 7.105 RCW for the exact terms.

False Statements on Applications

A person who knowingly makes a false statement regarding citizenship or identity on a CPL application is guilty of false swearing under RCW 9A.72.040. In addition to any other penalty, that person's CPL is revoked and the person is permanently ineligible for a CPL (RCW 9.41.070(12)).

Replacement Licenses

A lost or damaged license may be replaced for a $10 fee paid to the issuing authority (RCW 9.41.070(7)).

Preemption

A political subdivision of the state cannot modify the requirements of RCW 9.41.070 or chapter 9.41 RCW, and cannot ask an applicant to voluntarily submit information not required by the statute (RCW 9.41.070(11)). This is reinforced by Washington's general firearms preemption statute, RCW 9.41.290.

Out-of-State Permits and 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, but only when all of the following are met:

• The issuing state recognizes and gives effect to concealed pistol licenses issued by Washington (reciprocal recognition).
• The issuing state requires a fingerprint-based background check of permit applicants covering criminal and mental-health history and otherwise has substantially equivalent eligibility requirements, including not issuing licenses to persons under 21.
• The person is 21 years of age or older and carries the out-of-state license or permit together with valid government-issued photo identification.
• The person is not a resident of Washington. The statute applies 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 (RCW 9.41.073(1)(b)).

The Washington Attorney General is required by law to publish and maintain the official, current list of states that qualify for reciprocity. As of the mid-2025 list, roughly ten states qualified, including Idaho (enhanced permit only), Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana (enhanced permit only), North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Utah, several with permit-type restrictions. The list changes as other states amend their laws, so verify the current list at atg.wa.gov before relying on it.

Because reciprocity is limited to nonresidents, a Washington resident cannot carry concealed on an out-of-state permit, even one from a qualifying state. A person who moves to Washington and keeps a former home-state permit must obtain a Washington CPL; carrying concealed without one is unlawful (RCW 9.41.050).

A nonresident whose home-state permit does not qualify cannot carry concealed in Washington on that permit alone. That person may instead apply for a Washington nonresident CPL under RCW 9.41.070, which a nonresident may file for anywhere in the state.

Retired Law Enforcement (LEOSA)

Retired or separated law enforcement officers carry under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, codified at 18 U.S.C. 926C, which is separate from the Washington CPL. LEOSA requires an annual firearms qualification that meets the active-duty standard of the agency or state. In Washington, qualification and credentialing for retired officers are handled administratively through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission rather than under RCW 9.41.070. Qualification fees and equipment requirements are set by that agency, so confirm current amounts and requirements directly with it.

Important Notes

• Outside your own place of abode or fixed place of business, carrying a pistol concealed requires a valid, unexpired CPL, as does carrying a loaded pistol in a vehicle. Carrying concealed elsewhere without a valid license is unlawful (RCW 9.41.050(1)(a)).
• A CPL covers pistols only. The statutory term is concealed pistol license, not concealed weapons permit.
• The license carries a federal-law warning: a state license is not a defense to a federal prosecution if you are prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm (RCW 9.41.070(4)).
• Washington recognizes out-of-state concealed pistol licenses only from states that qualify under its reciprocity statute, RCW 9.41.073. A nonresident from a non-qualifying state who wants to carry concealed in Washington must obtain a Washington nonresident CPL under RCW 9.41.070. Check the Attorney General's current reciprocity list at atg.wa.gov before traveling.
• No training is required to renew a CPL under current law. The live-fire training requirement applies to issuance and renewal on or after May 1, 2027 (RCW 9.41.070(5), effective May 1, 2027).

Key Statutes