FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions Regarding Initial Application for CCW Permit

I am considering obtaining an Arizona concealed weapons permit. What do I do? Review the Arizona concealed carry law, ARS 13-3112 and Arizona Administrative Rules R13-9-101 through R13-9-603 (links are available on this web site). We recommend you also review ARS 13-3101 and Title 18 USC section 922(d & g) for complete eligibility criteria and ARS 13-3102, Misconduct Involving Weapons.

How do I apply for an Arizona CCW permit? Contact a DPS authorized CCW Training Organization (a link is available on this web site). Complete the 8-hour initial CCW course. The instructor will fill out the certificate of completion located on the CCW application. Ensure you fill out the rest of the aplication and affix your signature. Send the completed application, a fingerprint card, and the applicable fee to DPS. The instructor should provide a pre-addressed return envelope but if not, mail your materials to:   DPS-CWPU   P.O. Box 6488   Phoenix, AZ  85005-6488.

How long will it take? Applications are typically processed and permits issued/mailed within fourteen days of receipt. However, it can take up to 60 business days to complete all of the required qualification checks.

How much does the 8-hour CCW course cost? DPS has no influence on the cost of the course. Prices are set by training organizations/instructors.

I completed the DPS armed security guard training course. May I use that to satisfy the 8-hour CCW training requirement? No. These are two distinct training courses developed to satisfy differing statutory requirements.

I have taken a number of firearms-related course which are more comprehensive than the 8-hour DPS-approved CCW course. May I be exempted from having to complete the training? ARS 13-3112(E)(6) allows an exemption to the 8-hour course for the following: (a) a person who is an active duty Arizona peace officer standards and training (AZPOST) certified or federaly credentialed peace officer; or who is honorably retired as a federal, state or local peace officer with a minimum of 10 years service; (b) a person who is an active duty county detention officer and who has been weapons certified by the officer's employing agency; or (c) a person who is issued a Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act (LEOSA) Certificate of Firearms Proficiency pursuant to ARS 13-3112(X).

What do I do if I am dissatisifed with the training or the instructor? The scope of DPS' responsibility is limited to authorizing instructors and training organizations. If you believe the instructor and/or the training organization are not meeting their responsibilities as described in ARS 13-3112 or Arizona Administrative Code R13-9-101 through R13-9-603, please notify our office immediately. DPS has no influence on other aspects of their business practices. However, as a consumer, you may have other avenues available to you.

Is the application fee to DPS refundable if I do not qualify for a CCW permit? No.

Is the cost of my 8-hour course refundable if I do not qualify for a permit? DPS has no influence on that decision. As a consumer, you may want to clarify this point prior to registering for the course.

How do I know if I meet the eligibility requirements? The eligibility requirements are clearly listed in ARS 13-3112. In addition to those requirements, an individual must not be a prohibited possessor as described in ARS 13-3101 and Title 18 USC section 922(d) and (g).

Can I be pre-approved before I pay for the course and the application fee? No. The resources of the CWPU may not be lawfully used to determine eligibility until receipt of the completed application (and any required documents) and fee.

Questions Regarding CCW Permit Renewal

What do I need to do to renew my CCW permit? The Concealed Weapon Permit Unit (CWPU) mails a courtesy renewal packet to customers whose permits are due to expire. The packet is mailed to the address on record approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date. The packet includes a renewal application and pre-addressed return envelope. Complete the renewal application, include the applicable fee, and mail them to DPS. No cash or personal checks please or your application will be returned causing a delay in processing.

If you have not received your courtesy renewal packet, you may download the renewal application from this site.

Please complete the application and submit it along with the applicable fee to: AZ DPS-CWPU P.O. Box 6488 Phoenix, AZ 85005-6488 Attn: Renewal.

If you are unable to download a renewal application call our office or email us. We will be happy to mail renewal materials to you.

Am I required to submit a fingerprint card when I renew my CCW permit? No.

May I drop off my application? Yes. You may drop off your packet at the DPS headquarters building located at 2102 W. Encanto Blvd in Phoenix between the hours of 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please go to the Security desk located on the north side of the building.

Am I required to take a refresher course to renew my CCW permit? No. An amendment to the Arizona concealed carry law, ARS 13-3112, effective September 21, 2006, eliminated the requirement for refesher training upon renewing a permit.

What if my permit expires, may I still renew? You may be processed as a renewal between 90 days prior to expiration and 60 days after expiration. If your permit is expired more than 60 days, and you still want to possess a concealed-weapons permit, you must apply for a new permit. You may use your expired permit card as proof you have attended the firearms-safety training, if it is in good standing. See additional information under obtaining a permit.

Is there a grace period to renew and is my permit valid during that time? As stated above, you may be processed as a renewal applicant up to 60 days after your permit expires. However, your permit is expired on the date listed. You risk arrest if found to be carrying concealed without a valid permit.

Where can I get my fingerprints taken? Please contact your local law enforcement agency or a private vendor about available fingerprint services. DPS does not provide appplicant fingerprint services.

How long will it take for me to get my permit and what should I do with my expired permit? By law the CWPU has 60 days to process an application. Typically applications are processed within fourteen days of receipt if no additional research is required. Please return your expired permit to the CWPU once the new one is received.

Miscellaneous Questions

I am a DPS authorized instructor for the armed security guard and CCW training courses. May I combine the two courses into one 8-hour session? No.

I am moving to Arizona. Is my concealed weapon permit from my former state of residence transferable? No. There is no provision in the law for transferring concealed weapon permits.

I moved to Arizona and I have a CCW from my prior state of residence. How long before I have to get an Arizona CCW to carry legal in Arizona? Once you become an Arizona resident and you wish to carry a concealed weapon you must obtain an Arizona CCW Permit.

Can I pay my application fee with a personal check? No. Acceptable forms of payment include money order, certified check or cashier's check made payable to AZ DPS. 

May multiple applications be submitted using one form of payment? This practice is discouraged. If there is an issue with one application, then all applications must be returned. To avoid any unnecessary delays, we prefer each application be submitted with its own form of payment.

Can I carry a firearm into an establishment that serves alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises if I have my CCW permit?  No. No one (except police officers) may carry a firearm (concealed or not) into any establishment that serves alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises (this includes restaurants). The only exceptions are: 1) you temporarily enter such an establishment for the purpose of reporting an emergency and do not receive, possess or consume an alcoholic drink; 2) you are the licensee or an employee (acting with the licensee's permission) of such an establishment; 3) you are summoned to assist a peace officer who is acting in the official performance of official duties; 4) to enter hotel or motel guest room accommodations or 5) the exhibition or display of a firearm in conjunction with a meeting, show, class or similar event. Active and retired officers carrying under LEOSA may be prohibited from carrying concealed weapons if the establishment is posted, see the LEOSA page for details. (ARS 4-244.29 - 30, 13-3102.C.1 and Public Law 108-277)

Can non-residents be issued an Arizona permit? Yes. You must be a resident of Arizona or a U.S. citizen.

I have a CCW permit. Can I carry my handgun on school grounds while picking up my child? Conditionally. If you remain in your vehicle and the handgun is unloaded before entering school grounds, yes. If you have to exit your vehicle while picking up your child, the handgun must be unloaded (as above) and secured (locked) within the vehicle out of plain view. Use caution if you must exit the vehicle with a handgun (or any weapon) to secure it in the trunk of your vehicle. Others may see you and not understand your intention.

Additionally, designated employees of a school may order a person off of school property if that person is believed to be interfering with school operations. School boards may also enact specific and more restrictive rules governing firearms and deadly weapons on school grounds. Determine what the rules of a school are before attempting to enter school grounds with a firearm. (ARS 13-3102.A.12, 13-3102.I and ARS 13-2911)

My application for a permit was not approved because of a felony arrest many years ago. The prosecutor dropped the charges and I was never prosecuted. What do I do now?  You must contact the respective prosecutor's office or involved court that handled the case and obtain documentation that specifically states you were not charged with and/or have no record of a felony conviction in regards to that specific charge and you are not currently under felony indictment in that jurisdiction. Submit that documentation to the CWPU within the time limit given on the denial letter. You may also request a review and challenge of your criminal history through that states Criminal History Records Section.

I heard that once you obtain an Arizona CCW permit, you have to carry concealed all of the time (if armed) and are forbidden to carry in the open. Is this true?  No. You may carry open or concealed.

I entered a private business with my concealed handgun and CCW permit. The business did not have any signs posted prohibiting weapons. Shortly thereafter, an employee approached me and said they do not allow firearms in their business and I must take the gun off the premises. Can they do that? Yes. Arizona law permits private business owners (or their designates) to prohibit weapons from being brought onto their property, whether signs are posted or not. Private businesses are typically non-government operated businesses such as grocery and department stores, convenience stores, laundromats, banks, office complexes, etc. Failure to obey the request can result in your arrest for trespassing. (ARS 13-1502/1503)   

Updated 11/03/2008