Permit guides › South Carolina
South Carolina concealed carry permit guide
Permitless carry 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
Yes. Eligible adults may carry openly or concealed without a permit (SLED constitutional carry guidance).
Permit types
- Concealed weapons permit (CWP)
Issuing agency and how to apply
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Apply to SLED.
Eligibility and minimum age
- Minimum age
- 18
- Eligibility
- Check with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Fees
- Resident (new)
- No SLED fee (fingerprinting may cost extra)
- Non-resident (new)
- No SLED fee
- Renewal
- Check with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Training requirements
Approved course with at least 4 hours of instruction, a 50-question test and a 25-round qualification (SLED offers it free).
Processing time, validity and renewal
- Processing time
- SLED must deny in writing within 90 days or the permit issues by operation of law (S.C. Code 23-31-215)
- Valid for
- 5 years
Non-resident permits
Available to non-residents. Non-residents only if they own real property in South Carolina.
Reciprocity
South Carolina honors permits from states that have reciprocity with SC and require a background check and training; check SLED's list.
Sources
- www.sled.sc.gov/constitutional-carry-guidance
- www.sled.sc.gov/concealed-weapons-permit
- www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/fiscalimpactstatements/H3594%202024-03-07%20signed.
- www.sled.sc.gov/about/updates/sled-hosts-free-concealed-weapons-permit-classes
- law.justia.com/codes/south-carolina/title-23/chapter-31/section-23-31-215/
Last verified November 1, 2026. Where a field says "Check with", we couldn't confirm it from an official source.