Permit guides › District of Columbia
District of Columbia concealed carry permit guide
Permit required Last verified November 1, 2026
Not legal advice. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Carry laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every requirement with the issuing agency before you apply or carry.
Permitless (constitutional) carry
No. A concealed carry license is required.
Permit types
- Concealed carry pistol license (CCL)
Issuing agency and how to apply
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
Apply to MPD with certified training records and fingerprints.
Eligibility and minimum age
- Minimum age
- 21
- Eligibility
- Check with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
Fees
- Resident (new)
- $75 plus $35 fingerprinting
- Non-resident (new)
- $75 plus $35 fingerprinting
- Renewal
- Check with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
The $13 registration fee is waived if you register a handgun with your CCL application.
Training requirements
16 hours plus 2 hours range training with an MPD-certified instructor, including DC law.
Processing time, validity and renewal
- Processing time
- Within 90 days of a complete application (may be extended 90 days for good cause)
- Valid for
- 2 years
Non-resident permits
Available to non-residents. Non-residents may apply; DC law training is still required.
Reciprocity
DC does not recognize other states' permits; you need a DC license to carry in DC.
Sources
- mpdc.dc.gov/page/fees-payment
- mpdc.dc.gov/page/frequently-asked-questions-firearms-registration-and-ccl
- mpdc.dc.gov/page/eligibility-requirements-concealed-carry-license
Last verified November 1, 2026. Where a field says "Check with", we couldn't confirm it from an official source.