Florida Concealed Weapon License
Step-by-step instructions for obtaining, renewing, replacing or
updating your concealed weapon license
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Section 1: General policies and information .................................................................................................... 3
Section 2: Eligibility ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Section 3: Safety and Training .............................................................................................................................. 5
Section 4: The traditional application process ................................................................................................ 6
Section 5: The fast-track application process .................................................................................................. 8
Section 6: The CW intake application process ................................................................................................ 9
Section 7: Reciprocity ............................................................................................................................................... 9
Section 8: Renewing an expiring license ......................................................................................................... 10
Section 9: Changing your name or address ................................................................................................... 11
Section 10: Replacing a lost, expired or stolen license .............................................................................. 12
Section 10: Carry Location Restrictions ............................................................................................................. 12
Section 11: Reminders for safe concealment ................................................................................................ 13
Quick Links and Sources ......................................................................................................................................... 15
Disclaimer: The information provided in this packet is not legal advice, but general information on concealed carry
application procedures. Ours is an application assistance service that centralizes information and resources to
streamline and simplify the application process. We are not affiliated with the state of Florida.
Introduction
While there are federal gun regulations, each state has its own set of laws that regulate the
sale, possession and use of firearms, including the carrying of those firearms, whether
concealed or otherwise. These laws can be complicated, and navigating them can be difficult.
However, it is important to take the time to familiarize yourself with the laws in your state to
avoid breaking them, particularly when it comes to carrying
and using your weapon/s.
What follows in this guide is a brief outline of Florida’s
concealed carry policies, as well as detailed instructions for
obtaining, renewing, replacing or updating your Florida
concealed weapon license. To simplify and streamline your
Helpful tips are included
throughout this packet in grey
boxes like this one. Please read
and pay close attention to each
of them.
efforts, we will walk you through each process in a step-bystep fashion, linking where applicable to official sites, sources, application forms, etc. Our aim
is to save you time and effort by making it very clear what you should expect and what you
need to do.
Section 1: General policies and information
In Florida, you are permitted under the law to carry a concealed weapon so long as you hold a
valid concealed weapon license. Florida is a “shall issue” state, which means that the issuing
authority (i.e., the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) shall approve license
applications as long as the basic criteria are met. See Section 2 for more information on
eligibility requirements.
Florida weapon licenses are popular nationwide, due to the
fact that the state issues licenses to both residents and nonresidents, and has flexible reciprocity laws. Florida will
recognize concealed carry licenses from every state that
recognizes Florida’s license. For more on reciprocity, see
Section 7.
A Florida concealed weapon
license is valid throughout the
state of Florida for 7 years from
the date of issuance.
Please review this packet in its entirety prior to applying for, or making changes to, your
concealed weapon license. Please also review the Florida statutes on weapons and firearms in
their entirety. It is important to know and understand the laws surrounding the use of a firearm
or weapon.
For your reference, an example of a Florida Concealed Weapon License is pictured below in
Figure 1.
FIGURE 1 - EXAMPLE OF A FLORIDA CONCEALED WEAPON LICENSE
Section 2: Eligibility
Before proceeding, it is important to determine whether or not you are eligible for a Concealed
Weapon License in the state of Florida. Applicants who do not meet certain requirements
under Florida law will be denied, so you can save yourself some trouble by reviewing the
eligibility requirements before you apply. You can review a full list of eligibility requirements
here. Below is a short list of the minimum requirements that must be met:
-
-
You must be at least 21 years of age unless you are a service member, as defined in
Section 250.01, Florida Statutes, or you are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
who was discharged under honorable conditions.
You must meet the CITIZENSHIP and RESIDENCY requirements set forth in the law.
You must be able to provide a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION from a firearms training
class or other acceptable training document that evidences your competency with a
firearm. See Section 3 on Safety and Training for more information.
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You must not have a DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL RECORD or other condition that would
make you ineligible for licensure. Disqualifying factors are outlined in the list of
eligibility requirements we referenced above.
Alternatively, you may determine your eligibility by taking this
30-question survey, hosted by the Florida Division of Licensing.
Remember to be completely honest on the survey. If, for some
reason, you are deemed “ineligible,” the website will offer
detailed explanation of this determination. If you are determined
“eligible”, then you may proceed with the application process,
outlined in Section 4.
If you have not yet taken a
safety course, you will not be
considered eligible for CCW.
However, if you plan to take
one before applying, just
answer “YES” to question #4
on the survey.
Section 3: Safety and Training
Before you submit an application, either traditionally, through a tax office, or via fast track
(these options are discussed in Sections 4 to 6), you must first complete an approved safety
course. It is crucial that you find a location offering courses which satisfy the state requirements
and are taught by a certified NRA instructor. Most shooting ranges offer Concealed Weapon
Safety courses and the typical price ranges from $60 - $150. Since classes are best taken locally,
we suggest doing an internet search for Concealed Carry classes in your city. However, we are
also providing you with a list of links for regional course offerings. Once you have found
several locations, begin making phone calls to determine which location is best for you. We
suggest asking the following questions:
1. Is the course NRA approved?
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Does it satisfy the Concealed Carry Permit requirements?
Is the instructor NRA certified?
Is there live range time offered during the course?
How long is the course?
How much does the course cost?
Is gun rental and ammunition provided in the cost?
Is certification of completion provided at the end of the course?
Once you’ve completed your course, make sure to photocopy your certificate of completion, as
you’ll need this for the application.
Here is a list of some Florida Concealed Weapon Courses by Region:
Southeast
Southwest
Mid-State
Northeast
Northwest
Florida Firearms
Fowler Firearms
Shooting Sports
Tallahassee Gun
Northwest
Tacitical U
Jay’s Guns
Section 4: The traditional application process
Now that you’ve determined your eligibility and taken an approved safety course, it’s time to
walk through the application process. There are now three ways to apply for a concealed
weapon license in Florida: the traditional process, the fast-track process, and through the
concealed weapon intake system. Instructions for the traditional process are included in this
section. The fast-track process is covered in Section 5. The concealed weapon intake system
process is covered in Section 6.
Traditional Process
This process requires you to do all the leg work yourself and fill out a paper application
which will be submitted via mail to the licensing office in Tallahassee. It includes the
following steps:
1. Take an approved safety course. See Section 3 above for more information.
2. Have a passport picture taken. For a passport photo, simply visit your local CVS,
Walgreens or equivalent drug store and go to the photo center. Typically, you do not
need an appointment and your picture will be printed
while you wait. On average, the fee for a passport photo is
If you have your fingerprints
between $5 and $12.
taken electronically, you will
3. Get fingerprinted. This has to occur at a law enforcement
not have to pay the $42
agency, such as a local county sheriff’s office. Go here for a
complete list of offices. We recommend calling the office in
fingerprint fee when
advance to make sure they’re able to do your
submitting your application.
fingerprinting. Electronic fingerprinting is $35 and
Just make sure you submit
traditional hard-card fingerprinting is $42. Visit this page
your receipt with your
for answers to frequently asked questions about the
fingerprinting process.
application.
4. Complete the application. Florida has developed an
Application Help Guide which clarifies all sections of the application. It is suggested
that you review this guide before completing the application itself. Now that you’ve
reviewed the instructions for the application, you can download and print the form
from the state division of licensing site. Please be aware that this form must be
notarized.
5. Submit the application and payment. The notarized
Do not sign your
application, along with all the accompanying
application until you are
documentation and payment, must now be mailed to the
standing before the
division of licensing office. The fee for the license is $70.
Make your check payable to the Florida Department of
Notary. They must swear
Agriculture and Consumer Services. Do not send cash. If you that you signed it in front
did not have your fingerprints done electronically, then
of them in order to verify
there is an additional $42.00 fee for fingerprint processing.
your identification.
In that case, the total on your check should be $112.00. The
mailing address for the division of licensing is included
below:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Licensing
Post Office Box 6687
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6687
Important: Before mailing your application and accompanying documentation, double-check
to make sure you’ve included the following:
-
Your completed application (signed and notarized)
A copy of your Certificate of Completion from your training course
A passport size photo of yourself
Proof of citizenship/residency if you were not born in this country
Court documentation of any arrests (if applicable)
A set of fingerprints, or a copy of your receipt for electronic fingerprinting
A check or money order for the appropriate fees ($112 if you are submitting paper
fingerprints, $70 if you submitted fingerprints electronically)
Section 5: The fast-track application process
If you choose to submit your application via the Fast Track Process, you will find that many of
the steps in the Traditional Process are streamlined, making this choice far less stressful and
time consuming.
If you haven’t already, please read and complete the steps in Section 3 of this packet before
proceeding. After completing your safety course, this step in the process is like a one-stopshop. When you make an appointment with a regional office, you will be able to complete your
application, have your fingerprints scanned, take your passport photo, pay your fees and
submit your application, all in about an hour. So, here’s what you need to do:
1. Make an appointment. Locate the nearest Regional Office and call them to schedule an
appointment.
2. Arrive at your scheduled time with the following:
a. A picture ID
b. A copy of your Certificate of Completion from your training course
c. Proof of citizenship/residency if you were not born in this country
d. Court documentation of any arrests (if applicable)
e. A check or money order in the amount of $112
3. Follow staff instructions. Once your appointment has begun, you will be walked
through the process by the office staff. You will first complete your application on the
computer. Then they will scan your fingerprints and take your picture. Finally, you will
pay your fees and be on your way. The fees are $70 for the application and $42 for the
fingerprint processing, for a total of $112. You must pay by check, money order, or
cashier’s check.
Once you’ve submitted your application, you will be anxious to
know when to expect your license. Please note that it will take
about 90 days for the Division to process the application and notify
you of the outcome. Processing may take longer than 90 days if
additional information regarding criminal records must be
obtained.
It will take approximately
90 days for the division of
licensing to process your
application and issue your
concealed weapon license.
Thankfully, The Division of Licensing has provided an online
tracking system which allows you to check the status of your application.
Section 6: The CW intake application process
As of 2014, the department of agriculture is now working with Florida’s tax collector offices in
to offer new method of application for the concealed weapons permit. The partnership
between the tax offices and the state is referred to as the Concealed Weapon Intake System, or
CWIS.
To apply via this method, you must schedule an appointment with one of five authorized
Florida tax collector offices. Please note – additional tax collector locations are scheduled to
begin providing this service some time in 2015. When you arrive,
In addition to the
you’ll be directed to a computer station where you can complete
convenience, the CWIS
the application electronically. Your fingerprints and photograph
system streamlines the
will be taken right there on the spot, making this a fast and
application screening and
convenient, all-in-one application method. The whole process
takes less than one hour.
review process, reducing
Before you go to the tax collector’s office for your appointment,
make sure you’ve gathered the following:
-
the total application
processing time.
A picture ID.
A copy of a training document proving your proficiency.
A check or money order, or a valid credit card.
Certified copies of any court documents related to charges brought against you for a
prior arrest.
Documentation proving you are a permanent legal resident (if applicable).
Section 7: Reciprocity
One of the reasons many people (both residents and non-residents) choose to apply for a
concealed weapon license in Florida is because of the state’s generous reciprocity agreements
with so many other states. Click here to see a list of the states that currently recognize a Florida
concealed weapon license. The list is updated frequently by the state. See also this link to an
interactive reciprocity map hosted by USA Carry.
We have also included a graphic of a reciprocity map below in Figure 2 for your reference:
FIGURE 2 – FLORIDA RECIPROCITY MAP
AP
Important: there have been some recent modifications to the reciprocity list:
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April 25, 2013: Effective this date, WASHINGTON will no longer honor a Florida
concealed weapon license.
February 4, 2013: Effective this date, PENNSYLVANIA will no longer honor a Florida
concealed weapon license if the license holder is not a RESIDENT of the state of Florida.
Section 8: Renewing an expiring license
Anyone issued a weapon license on or after June 11, 2008 has a seven year term on their
license. If, however, you were issued a license prior to that date, your license is only valid for
five years. The expiration date is located on the front of your license and it is important for you
to keep track of when it will expire so you can reapply accordingly.
Approximately 150 days prior to your license expiration date, the Division of Licensing will send
you a renewal notice with complete instructions for how to renew. You may complete the
renewal packet and return it via mail, or you may renew in person at one of the eight regional
offices by calling the office closest to you and scheduling an appointment. Renewing in person
is the preferred method if an office is convenient to you as they will notarize your form and
take your picture at no additional charge. If, however, you wish to mail your renewal, please do
so with enough time for the paperwork to process before your current license expires. Renewal
requests must be mailed to:
Concealed Weapon or Firearm License Renewal
Division of Licensing
Post Office Box 6387
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6387
If you fail to renew your license before it expires, you have a six month grace period to
renew, but keep in mind you will be charged a $15 late fee. If you do not renew your license
within the six month period, you will no longer be allowed to renew and you will have to start
a new application in order to obtain a valid license.
Section 9: Changing your name or address
While the law does not require to you have a new license issued for a change of address, you
are required to notify the Division of Licensing about your change of address within 30 days of
the time the change first occurs. You may complete this process online, or you may submit a
notification in writing to:
Division of Licensing
P.O. Box 6387
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6387
If you have experienced a change of name status, simply submit a written request and a
copy of the legal document evidencing your name change to the Division of Licensing at
the address provided directly above.
You can have a revised license printed for a fee of $15, payable by check or money order to
the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. However, if you prefer, you may keep
your current license until it is time to renew. At time of renewal, remember to send your
written request and a copy of the legal document evidencing your name change with your
renewal application and we will issue your renewal license with your legal name.
Section 10: Replacing a lost, expired or stolen license
If your license is lost, stolen, or destroyed, it is important to follow these steps:
-
Write a letter to the Division of licensing explaining that your license has been lost,
damaged or destroyed.
Get the letter notarized.
Mail the letter, along with a $15 check or money order made out to the Division of
Licensing. Send it to the address provided above in Section 9.
Section 10: Carry Location Restrictions
There are a number of prohibited areas where you are not permitted to carry your weapon,
whether you are a Florida license holder or an out-of-state resident with a reciprocal license.
Concealed weapons are not permitted in:
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any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05
any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station
any detention facility, prison, or jail; any courthouse
any courtroom*
any polling place
any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or
special district
any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof
any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms
any school administration building
any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for
consumption*
any elementary or secondary school facility
any area technical center
any college or university facility*
inside the passenger terminal and sterile area of any airport*
any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law
**For more information, please review the weapons and firearms section of the Florida Statute
site directly.
Section 11: Reminders for safe concealment
In order to safely and legally carry your weapon, it’s important to consider these four
reminders:
1. Remember that you are carrying a concealed weapon to protect life.
Whether the life is your own, or that of complete stranger, the only reason you are
permitted to use a concealed weapon is to protect life. The purpose is not to bully,
harass, or otherwise intimidate those who do not demonstrate an immediate and deadly
threat. The purpose is not to show off or feel good about one’s self. The sole purpose is
protection of life.
2. Know when it is appropriate to use your weapon.
Generally speaking, in order to use your weapon, your attacker must have:
a. THE ABILITY – the attacker is armed, or appears to be armed;
b. THE OPPORTUNITY – the attacker is positioned in a manner which allows him
easy access to inflict harm; or,
c. THE INTENT – the attacker is hostile or using words or body language to
suggest that he intends to harm you.
If all three criteria are not met, then you should think twice (and then think again) before
using your weapon. For example, if the attacker has the opportunity and intent to harm,
but lacks the ability (he is unarmed, or not equal is size/stature), then your claim of selfdefense might not hold water. Or, if your adversary appears to be armed and is in a
position to harm you, but shows no signs of malicious, hostile intent, then a court of law
would seriously question your motive for drawing and using your weapon.
3. Don’t be led by emotions.
Choosing to carry a weapon is a decision that comes with a great deal of responsibility.
When you are armed, you have forfeited your right to initiate any confrontation which
could escalate or become violent. In short, you must be able to keep your cool! This
means you cannot shout at the driver who cuts you off as you pass by him with windows
down. You must ignore the men who are looking your girlfriend up and down as you
leave the movie theater. If someone attempts to start a fight with you, you must
respond with a smile and walk away. By carrying a concealed weapon, you have a legal
and moral responsibility to de-escalate any potentially volatile situation.
4. Do not display you weapon in public (unless you don’t mind jail time).
Having a license to conceal means that the weapon must be CONCEALED at ALL TIMES.
You should expect to be arrested at gunpoint should someone report that they saw
your weapon in public, no matter how unintentional it was. It is important that your
method of carry be as discreet and secure as possible. For example, it would not be a
good idea to tuck your gun into the back of your jeans under your skin tight shirt and
then walk into the movie theater. You have no control over how a stranger will react to
seeing it, and they could potentially call the police and report you as a man or woman
with a gun. Even though you have legal permission to be carrying said gun, you
obviously missed the “concealed” portion of the license name if someone was able to
report you, so don’t expect sympathy from the police.
It is typically not a good idea to let too many people know that you carry a gun or
weapon. You never know how they will react, especially if they are opposed to guns. It’s
best to keep that information to immediate family or close friends who share your views
on concealed weapons.
Quick Links and Sources
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Gun Laws in Florida
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Florida Division of Licensing
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Licensing Fee Chart
-
NRA State Gun Laws Section
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Reciprocity Map
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Application Status Checker