California Non-Resident Guide

Since January 1, 2026 a New Yorker Can Get a California Carry License. You Apply to One California Sheriff or Police Chief, and Much of It Can Be Done from New York If That Agency Agrees.

At a glance (checked Nov 1, 2026):

• Can a New Yorker apply? Yes, if you are 21 or older and show a valid New York driver's license or ID. The law does not require a New York carry license

• Who issues it: A county sheriff or a city police chief in California, the one where you plan to spend most of your time in California

• Training: At least 16 hours, approved by the agency you apply to, plus live fire with each handgun you want on the license

• Fingerprints: Live Scan in California, or an FD-258 card taken by a police agency in New York

• In person: Not required by state rules. The interview can be by video, and the live-fire course can be near your home if the agency approves it. Some agencies have their own rules

• Cost: Set by each agency. Example: Los Angeles County Sheriff charges $136 when you apply and $173 when approved (plus card fees)

• Processing: Varies by agency (check with the agency)

• Valid for: Up to 2 years. Licenses issued on or after January 1, 2027 can be valid up to 3 years

• You must be 21 or older and show clear proof of who you are, your age and your state of residence, for example a valid New York driver's license or New York DMV ID.

• You cannot be a "disqualified person" under California law (Penal Code 26202) or under the matching laws of New York. The agency runs a background check and an interview.

• Pick one agency. You swear under oath that the county or city you apply to is the main place in California where you plan to travel or spend time. Apply to that county's sheriff or that city's police chief.

• List the make, model, caliber and serial number of each handgun you want on the license. A gun that is not legal to have in California will be denied for that gun. For more information click here

• California requires a course of at least 16 hours for a new license (8 hours for a renewal). It must cover safety, handling, shooting, storage, transport and where you may carry. For more information click here

• The course must be one that the agency you apply to accepts. If that agency has not approved any online course, you may take an online course approved by another California licensing agency.

• Live fire: you must shoot a live-fire course with each handgun you want on the license. Tell the agency which live-fire course you plan to take. The agency must approve it or suggest another acceptable course within 75 miles of your home. For more information click here

• Ask before you train. Some agencies accept only their own listed trainers and only training taken after they tell you to start. For example, the Los Angeles County Sheriff says training or Live Scan done before you apply is not accepted (since October 1, 2026). For more information click here

• Most agencies take applications online. The application is the state form BOF 4012 plus the non-resident supplement BOF 4013 (Rev. 01/2026), where you swear that this agency's area is your main place to travel or spend time in California. For more information click here

• Have ready: your driver's license, a passport-style photo, proof of address if your license shows a different address (for example a recent utility bill), and proof of citizenship or status if you were born outside the U.S. (these are the Los Angeles County Sheriff's list; other agencies may differ). For more information click here

• Interview: non-residents may do the required interview in person or by video.

• If the agency requires a psychological test, it may let you do it by video or with an examiner within 75 miles of your home. For more information click here

• Option 1: Live Scan at a Live Scan site in California, using the agency's request form (BCIA 8016).

• Option 2: an FD-258 fingerprint card taken by a police agency in New York (it must be on card stock and the police agency must take the prints). Put the California agency's ORI number (ask them for it), "Non-resident Standard" and "Concealed Weapon License" as the reason, and mail the card to the California agency with the state fingerprint fees. For more information click here

• Fees are set by each agency and include the state Department of Justice fee. Example, Los Angeles County Sheriff (new fees from September 1, 2026): $136 when you apply ($93 state fee and $43 application fee), then $173 when approved, plus service and card fees. Fees are not refunded. For more information click here

• The agency waits for the state and FBI background results, then reviews your file. You are told in writing if you are approved or denied, and you can appeal a denial.

• Some agencies have you finish training and qualification only after approval. Los Angeles County gives 60 days after the approval notice and then mails the license. For more information click here

• Valid for: a standard license is valid up to 2 years. A new law (AB 1948) allows up to 3 years for licenses issued on or after January 1, 2027. It does not extend licenses issued before that date. For more information click here

• Renewal: at least 8 hours of training, and new fingerprints for renewals sent on or after September 1, 2026. Renew before it expires; if you wait more than 90 days past expiration, the agency stops your background monitoring. For more information click here

• Not valid in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts or Washington, DC.

• California itself does not honor any other state's carry permit, so this license is the way to carry concealed in California.

• Many states honor only out-of-state permits held by residents of the issuing state. For example Florida, Michigan, Colorado and Pennsylvania do not honor a non-resident permit.

• From our research, among states that require a permit, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin honor a California permit held by a non-resident. Many other states let visitors carry without a permit anyway. Check the map and each state's own list before you travel.

• Places you cannot carry, even with the license (Penal Code 26230): school zones, child care, state and local government buildings, courts, jails, colleges, airports, police stations, polling places, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, playgrounds, parks and athletic areas, most state parks, casinos, stadiums, public libraries, amusement parks, zoos and museums (and many of their parking areas). For more information click here

• As of the state's March 2025 notice, courts had blocked the bans on places of worship, hospitals and medical offices, public transit, permitted public gatherings, banks, and the rule that you need a sign to carry in other private businesses. In June 2026 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's similar private-business rule (Wolford v. Lopez). Court rulings change; check the current list before you carry. For more information click here

• Carry only the handguns listed on your license. The agency can add conditions (time, place, manner). Read your license.

• Magazines: California bans magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. A Supreme Court appeal (Duncan v. Bonta) was still pending on November 1, 2026. Bring only 10-round magazines. For more information click here

Every state has different laws pertaining to carrying, restrictions etc. It is your responsibility to know these laws and be familiar with them before visiting that state.

This guide summarizes the state's published instructions as of November 1, 2026 and is not legal advice. Fees, forms and rules change; always check the official page before you apply. Tips from others' experience come from users on the chats; they are personal experiences, not official rules.

Checked November 1, 2026.

• California Department of Justice, Information Bulletin 2026-DLE-13 (August 7, 2026), amended guidance on non-resident applications: who qualifies, training, live fire within 75 miles, video interview, FD-258 fingerprints. For more information click here

• California Department of Justice, Information Bulletin 2026-DLE-03 (March 24, 2026), first guidance on AB 1078 non-resident applications. For more information click here

• California Department of Justice, Information Bulletin 2026-DLE-14 (August 31, 2026), renewal fingerprints and state fees. For more information click here

• California Department of Justice, CCW frequently asked questions (license types, valid up to 2 years). For more information click here

• California Department of Justice, standard application BOF 4012 (16-hour and 8-hour training). For more information click here

• California Department of Justice, firearms forms (BOF 4012, BOF 4013 non-resident supplement). For more information click here

• California Department of Justice, Information Bulletin 2025-DLE-06 (sensitive places in effect and blocked). For more information click here

• Los Angeles County Sheriff, CCW page (non-resident fees, AB 1948 note, training rules). For more information click here

• Los Angeles County Sheriff, non-resident application instructions (Rev. 02/04/26). For more information click here

• Nevada County Sheriff, non-California resident applicants (example of an agency's non-resident rules and accepted live-fire instructors). For more information click here

• California Senate, AB 1948 bill analysis (license valid up to 3 years). For more information click here