How to Obtain an Initial Arizona Concealed Weapon Permit

Requirements:

1. Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident alien.

   Note: Persons who were born outside of the United States or one of its territories must send a copy of (or present in person) proof of citizenship or alien status. This is a one-time requirement. Any of the following documents are acceptable:

   • Certificate of Naturalization

   • Resident Alien Card

   • Record of Birth Abroad

   • Record of Birth to Armed Forces Personnel

   • US Passport

2. Must be lawfully present in the United States.

3. Must be at least 21 years of age.

4. Not under indictment or have not been convicted of a felony in the U.S. or elsewhere.

5. Not convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.

6. Not under court order (i.e. order of protection, harassment, etc.)

7. Not a fugitive from justice.

8. Not a user of or addicted to any controlled substance.

9. Not been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces.

10. Have never renounced U.S. citizenship.

11. Do not suffer from mental illness and have not been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution.

12. First time and renewal concealed weapon permit applications are processed by Department of Public Safety Criminal Records Specialists.  The application data is entered into our CCW database.  Background criminal history checks are performed  utilizing several systems:

    Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS)
    National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
    Arizona Crime information Center (ACIC)
    National Instant Background Check System (NICS)
    Interstate Identification Index (III)
    Automatic Fingerprint Information System (AFIS)
    Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)

    Our policy is to deny a concealed weapon permit to an applicant due to any disqualifiers in accordance to U.S. Federal (18 U.S.C. § 922) and Arizona State (ARS §13-3112).  If no disqualifying criminal history record is found, the concealed weapon permit is issued contingent on the FBI background check based on the submitted fingerprints.

13. Have satisfactorily completed a DPS approved CCW Training Program (8 hours). Permit training must take place within Arizona. Applicants trained outside of Arizona are subject to be suspended or revoked, as well the instructor and organization. Certain law enforcement officers and county detention officers are exempt from the initial training.

14. Concealed weapon permits may be renewed every four or five years (permits issued after August 11, 2005 are valid for five years).

 

Fee: $ 65 - Concealed Weapon Permit (permit valid for 5 years)

Procedure

1.  Once you have determined that you are qualified to obtain a concealed weapon permit, locate an organization that provides an approved CCW training course. The course is a minimum of 8 hours in length and is taught by a CWPU certified instructor. You must qualify with a handgun firing live ammunition.

Note: Convicted felons are not eligible to obtain an AZ Concealed Weapon Permit, even if their civil rights have been restored and their conviction has been expunged, vacated or set aside.

2.  Upon completion of the course, the instructor will provide you with an application, fingerprint card and a return envelope. Ensure that the instructor completes the rear portion of the application (at the bottom) to include the Training Program Number, the Training Instructor Number and the Training Organization Number. An organizational stamp or seal will also be affixed.

3.  You must be fingerprinted utilizing the CWPU fingerprint card provided by the instructor. No other card is acceptable. The organization may offer fingerprinting services or you may be required to locate a provider. Some police agencies provide this service for a small fee (DPS does not). Call your local agencies for inquiries. Regardless of who completes the fingerprint card, the prints must be clear and distinct. Do not place tape over the top of the prints!

4.  Using the return envelope provided, send the completed application, fingerprint card and a money order or certified cashiers check for $65 (payable to the Arizona Department of Public Safety) to the CWPU.

Note: Persons who were born outside of the United States or one of its territories must send a copy of (or present in person) proof of citizenship or alien status. This is a one-time requirement. Any of the following documents are acceptable:

• Certificate of Naturalization
• Resident Alien Card
• Record of Birth Abroad
• Record of Birth to Armed Forces Personnel
• US Passport

5.  Applications with errors or containing incomplete or disqualifying information will be returned for correction or denial. All fees are non-refundable.

6.  Allow 75 days for processing your completed application and delivery of your permit - please do not call DPS regarding the status of your application unless you have not received notification within this time frame.

7.  Once you have received your permit, inspect it for errors. If you find an error, return the permit along with a completed copy of the CWPU "Change, Error or Non-Receipt of Permit Form."

8.  If you do not receive your permit within 75 days, notify us by sending a completed copy of the CWPU "Change, Error, or Non-Receipt of Permit Form."

Other:

• All changes of address and phone numbers must be reported in writing to the CWPU within 10 days of the change. Failure to do so can result in the suspension of your permit.
• All training for an AZ CCW permit MUST be conducted within the borders of Arizona.
• Training is valid for 6 months from the date of completion. Failure to submit your application within 6 months will result in an application denial and you will be required to take another 8 hour class.