How to Renew your CCW Permit

*NEW The 47th Legislature, Second Regular session has adjourned! This means that House Bill 2074 (no renewal training) will go into law (amending ARS Title 13-3112) on the 21st of September 2006. Starting on that date you may submit a "renewal packet" to the Concealed Weapon Permit Unit. Your packet needs to include, 1) Application (check the renewal box). 2) completed fingerprint card. 3) a money order, cashiers check, or certified check for $65.00 (payable to AZ DPS). You may voluntarily take the renewal course through a training organization of your choice.

*NEW If you want to renew your permit before the effective date of the new law (September 21st 2006) you must take the two hour renewal class.

*NEW Instructor renewal (see the bottom of this page)

House Bill 2074 amends the Concealed Weapon Law, A.R.S. § 13-3112, in a few ways. The amended law will become effective 90 days after the current legislative session adjourns and, at the time of this publication, the session had not closed. You must attend the two hour class for renewal until this amendment is effective. CWPU will post the effective date once the current legislative session adjourns. House Bill 2074 eliminates the 2-hour refresher firearms training requirement upon renewal of the concealed weapon permit. The Concealed Weapon Permit Unit (CWPU) will continue to support refresher firearms training, but on a voluntary basis. Elimination of the 2-hour refresher firearms training DOES NOT mean elimination of the renewal process. The concealed weapon permit expires 5 years from the date of issuance. Renewal applications may be submitted at any time between 90 calendar days prior to expiration and 60 calendar days after expiration. NOTE: The permit expires on the date reflected on the permit. Persons may not lawfully carry concealed in Arizona once the permit is expired.

General: CCW permits are valid for a period of five years then they must be renewed. Permit holders (Non-CCW Instructors) must attend a 2 hour renewal class, which covers topics similar to those taught during the 8 hour initial class. Again, qualification with a firearm is required. Arizona issues one permit and does not differentiate between resident and non-resident. Non-residents seeking renewal must complete renewal training in Arizona.

Training for renewal must occur no more than 6 months prior to the expiration date, or the training is no longer valid for renewal purposes. Typically, most people complete renewal training 30 to 90 days prior to expiration.

Applications for renewal may be submitted to the CWPU up to 90 days prior to expiration and no more than 60 days after. Applicants who submit for renewal after their permit expiration date may not carry concealed weapons until they receive their new permit.

Late Submissions: Renewal applications received 60 days or more after the permit's expiration will be denied and the applicant will be required to complete the 8 hour initial course again.

Law Enforcement Officers: Active duty peace officers and active duty weapons certified county detention officers are exempted from the two-hour renewal class. Submit an application, fingerprint card (1st renewal only), $65 money order and agency letter. Retired peace officers (at this time) are required to complete the two-hour renewal class.

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.  Any of the following documents are acceptable:

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

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 issu contingent on the FBI background check based on the submitted fingerprints.

13. Have satisfactorily completed a DPS approved CCW Renewal Training Program (2 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.  

14. DPS approved CCW Instructors have alternate methods of fulfilling the training requirements (see below).

Fee: $ 65 - Concealed Weapon Permit or Concealed Weapon Permit Renewal (permit valid for 4 years, or 5 years if issued after August 11, 2005)

Procedure

Renewal for Permit Holders (Non-CCW Instructors)

1. Locate a CCW permit training organization and complete the 2 hour renewal class. Training received outside of Arizona is invalid for renewal purposes and will result in the denial of your application or suspension of your permit.

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! All applicants must submit a fingerprint card on their first renewal after August 12, 2005. Essentially, everyone must submit a fingerprint card when renewing until 2009/2010.

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. If you have previously submitted documentation, you do not need to send it again. Any of the following documents are acceptable:

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:

*NEW Renewal for CCW Instructors

The CWPU is offering a service to instructors that will bring them up to date on current legislation and the administrative rules. We are calling the service "Continuing Education" We have scheduled two classes so far. We may schedule more classes if there's a need.

August 26, 2006 at the DPS HQ in Phoenix.

September 23, 2006 at the DPS HQ in Phoenix.

If you would like to attend any of the above classes please notify Program Coordinator:

ccw@azdps.gov