How to Apply for a Concealed Carry Permit in Washington

To apply for a concealed carry permit in Washington, go in person to your county sheriff’s office or your city or town police department, bring a valid Washington driver’s license or state ID, fill out the Concealed Pistol License application in front of the clerk, get fingerprinted, and pay $36 plus the FBI fingerprint fee. If you have valid Washington ID and clear the background check, the license arrives in the mail within 30 days. It’s good for five years, and Washington requires no firearms training course.

Who Qualifies

You have to be at least 21 and either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Beyond that, eligibility under RCW 9.41.070 is about your record rather than any class you’ve taken.

You are disqualified if any of the following apply:

A felony conviction on your record.
A domestic violence misdemeanor conviction, which bars you under both state and federal law.
An outstanding warrant for any felony or misdemeanor.
A pending felony case while you are free on bond or personal recognizance awaiting trial, appeal, or sentencing.
A current court order or injunction restricting your possession of firearms.
A court-ordered firearm forfeiture within the last 12 months.

These conditions matter after issuance too. If any of them arise while you hold a valid CPL, law enforcement will revoke it.¹

Where to Apply

Where you go depends on where you live:

If you live in an unincorporated part of a county, apply at your county sheriff’s office.
If you live inside an incorporated city or town, apply at your city or town police department, or at the county sheriff’s office.
If you are not a Washington resident, apply at any law enforcement agency in the state.

Some agencies require appointments. Call ahead or check the agency’s website before showing up.²

What to Bring

Bring a valid Washington driver’s license or state ID. If your ID does not show your current address, bring proof of residency such as a utility bill. Lawful permanent residents must bring an original, valid Permanent Resident Card. If you hold a non-citizen firearms license, bring your passport and your U.S.-issued alien number or admission number.¹

Pick up or download the application from the agency where you plan to apply. Fill it out but don’t sign it yet. Many agencies require the signature to be witnessed by their clerk. You’ll be fingerprinted at the same visit, so plan to be there in person.

Fees and Payment

The fee for a new CPL is $36, plus whatever the FBI charges for the fingerprint background check. No state or local agency can add anything on top of that.³

Most agencies take cash, checks, or money orders made payable to the law enforcement agency. Some accept credit or debit cards, sometimes with a processing surcharge. Confirm accepted payment methods with your local agency before your visit.¹

What Happens After You Apply

Law enforcement runs your name and prints through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the state criminal history system (WASIS), the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), state mental health records, and the Department of Licensing firearms database.⁴

If you have a valid Washington driver’s license or state ID, the agency must process your application within 30 days. If you don’t have valid Washington ID, or if you have lived in the state fewer than 90 consecutive days, the agency has up to 60 days. Once you’re approved, the card is mailed to the address on your application.³

If Your Application Is Denied

The agency must explain the reason for the denial and cite the specific statute that makes you ineligible. You can ask the agency to reconsider. If it stands by the denial, you can appeal to superior court.

Where the License Doesn’t Let You Carry

A CPL is not a pass to carry anywhere you want. Washington law lists specific places where firearms are prohibited regardless of your license, and violating them can bring criminal charges and revocation. Under RCW 9.41.300, you cannot carry in:

Restricted-access areas of jails and law enforcement facilities.
Courtrooms, judges’ chambers, jury rooms, waiting areas, and adjacent court corridors.
Restricted areas of state-licensed inpatient psychiatric facilities.
Bars and any portion of an establishment the Liquor and Cannabis Board classifies as off-limits to people under 21.
Airport areas beyond TSA screening.
Public libraries established under state library authority.
Zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Zoological Association of America.
Transit stations and facilities, including bus stations and light rail platforms.

The library, zoo, and transit restrictions were added in recent years, so a CPL issued before those changes still has to follow them.⁵

Federal law adds federal buildings where federal employees regularly work, including post offices, Social Security offices, and federal courthouses.⁶

Carrying in Other States

Your Washington CPL is not automatically valid outside Washington. Only states with a formal reciprocity agreement will honor it, and the list changes. Before you travel with a firearm, check the Washington Attorney General’s reciprocity page and contact law enforcement in your destination state.⁷

Keeping the License

The CPL is valid for five years. The Department of Licensing mails or emails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration, so keep your address and email current. You can renew during those 90 days for $32. If you miss the expiration date, you have a 90-day grace period at $32 plus a $10 late penalty. After that, you have to apply for a brand-new license at the full application fee.³

Carrying a concealed pistol without a valid CPL anywhere other than your own home or your fixed place of business is a crime in Washington, and an expired license is treated the same as no license.⁸

Your CPL can also be revoked mid-term. Triggers include a felony conviction, a domestic violence conviction, a protection order restricting firearms, an extreme risk protection order, a court-ordered firearm forfeiture, or a third violation of any provision in the firearms chapter within five years. Revocation comes with a written notice citing the grounds, and you can challenge it in superior court.⁹

1
Washington State Department of Licensing. Firearms Recordkeeping
2
King County, Washington. Concealed Pistol License (CPL)
3
Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 9.41.070 – Concealed Pistol License – Application – Fee – Renewal
4
Washington State Patrol. Background Check Flow Chart
5
Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 9.41.300 – Weapons Prohibited in Certain Places – Local Laws and Ordinances
6
Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 930 – Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities
7
Washington State Attorney General. Concealed Pistol License Reciprocity
8
Washington State Legislature. RCW 9.41.050 – Carrying Firearms
9
Washington State Legislature. RCW 9.41.075 – Concealed Pistol License – Revocation