To renew your Ohio concealed carry license, bring your current or expired CHL, a valid photo ID, a completed renewal application, a recent passport-style photo, and the $50 fee to the sheriff’s office in your county of residence (or an adjacent county). The visit is in person, fingerprints are taken, and the sheriff has up to 45 days to issue the new license. You do not need to retake any training course.
When to Renew
An Ohio CHL is valid for five years from the date it was issued. You can file a renewal application at any time before or after that date, and Ohio does not charge a late fee for renewing after the license lapses.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 – Application and Licensing Process
Timing still matters. Ohio law gives you a 30-day grace period after expiration during which the license itself remains valid for concealed carry. Once those 30 days pass, you can no longer rely on the license until the renewal is approved, which affects anything that depends on holding a current CHL, such as carrying in a reciprocity state.2Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Section 2923.126
Who Qualifies for Renewal
You must be at least 21, a legal U.S. resident, and an Ohio resident for at least the 45 days immediately before applying. Non-residents who work in Ohio can renew as well, but they file with the sheriff of the county where they work and must show proof of Ohio employment.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 – Application and Licensing Process
Several conditions disqualify you:
- A pending felony indictment or any prior felony conviction.
- Convictions for illegal possession, distribution, or trafficking of controlled substances.
- Convictions for misdemeanor offenses of violence, including domestic violence.
- An active civil protection order against you.
- Having been adjudicated mentally incompetent.
- Being a fugitive from justice.
The disqualifiers are the same as those for initial applications under Ohio Revised Code 2923.125.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 – Application and Licensing Process
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- Your current or expired Ohio CHL.
- A valid photo ID: Ohio driver’s license, state ID card, or passport.
- A freshly completed renewal application from the Ohio Attorney General’s website or your local sheriff’s office. A photocopy of your previous application won’t be accepted.
- A 2″ × 2″ passport-style color photo taken within the last 30 days. Some counties only require this when you’re renewing in a different county than the one that issued the original license.
- The renewal fee.
If you’ve lived in Ohio for fewer than five years, expect to show additional proof of Ohio residency. Non-resident workers should bring proof of Ohio employment.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 – Application and Licensing Process
If Your License Was Lost or Stolen
You can still renew without the physical card. Get a police report from your local police department that specifically states the CHL was lost or stolen, and bring it along with your photo ID to the appointment. You may renew in your current county of residence regardless of which county issued the original.
Fees and Payment
The base renewal fee is $50 for anyone who has been an Ohio resident for five or more years. If you’ve been a resident for less than five years, or you’re a non-resident employed in Ohio, you pay $50 plus the cost of an FBI background check, which sheriff’s offices typically charge at around $10, bringing the total to roughly $60. The fee is nonrefundable even if the application is denied.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 – Application and Licensing Process
Active-duty military, reservists, and honorably discharged veterans may have both the fee and the training requirement waived. Bring a current military ID or a DD-214 showing honorable discharge. VA cards are generally not accepted for the waiver.
Payment methods vary by county. Cash and money orders in the exact amount are almost always accepted. Some offices take credit or debit cards but add a surcharge. Confirm accepted payment types before you go.
Where and How to Submit
Renewals are processed in person at the sheriff’s office in your county of residence or any adjacent county. Non-resident workers file with the sheriff of the Ohio county where they work or an adjacent county. Most offices require an appointment, though some accept walk-ins. Call ahead or check the sheriff’s website. Wait times for appointments run from the same week to several months depending on the county.
Fingerprinting is required for renewals, not just initial applications. Prints are captured electronically or on a standard fingerprint card and used to run a criminal records check and a mental competency check through state and federal databases.3Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Section 311.41
No New Training Required
You do not need to retake any firearms training to renew. Your previously issued CHL counts as proof of competency, even if the license has expired. The eight-hour course required for first-time applicants does not apply to renewals.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 – Application and Licensing Process
You do have to certify on the application that you’ve re-read the pamphlet produced by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, which covers firearms safety, dispute resolution, and the use of deadly force. It’s available on the Ohio Attorney General’s website. Read it before the appointment so you can honestly sign the certification.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 – Application and Licensing Process
After You Submit
The sheriff has up to 45 days to process the renewal. During that window your prints run through state and federal databases and the office checks mental competency records. Most renewals move faster, but the full 45 days is available if needed.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 – Application and Licensing Process
Some offices mail the renewed license, others call you to pick it up. The new card is good for another five years from the date of issuance.
If Your Renewal Is Denied
A denial comes with a written explanation of the reason. Under Ohio Revised Code 2923.125, you can appeal in the court of common pleas for the county where you applied. If the denial appears to rest on a background-check error, such as a record belonging to someone else or a conviction that was expunged, collect your supporting documentation before filing.1Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 – Application and Licensing Process
Is Renewal Still Worth It Under Permitless Carry
Ohio has allowed permitless concealed carry since June 13, 2022, for any qualifying adult who can legally possess a firearm. The license still does two things permitless carry doesn’t. It gives you concealed-carry rights in other states through reciprocity: as of 2025, roughly 38 states recognize the Ohio license.4Ohio Attorney General. Concealed Carry Reciprocity Agreements And a valid Ohio CHL serves as an alternative to the federal NICS check when buying a firearm from a licensed dealer, so the dealer can skip the point-of-sale background check.5ATF. Brady Permit Chart
Reporting Address or Name Changes
If you move while your license is active, Ohio law requires you to notify the issuing sheriff within 45 days. For an address change you can mail or fax a notification form; a new physical card isn’t required, though you can request one for around $15.
A legal name change is different. You must get the card updated. Bring proof of the change, such as a court order or updated driver’s license, along with the replacement card fee. Handling these changes promptly keeps your CHL information consistent with your other ID and prevents complications at your next renewal.