Arizona is a constitutional carry state. Eligible individuals 21 or older may carry concealed without an Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP). Arizona issues a CWP to eligible applicants 21 or older, or 19 or older with qualifying current military service or an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces, Armed Forces Reserve, or National Guard.
Although Arizona does not require a permit for concealed carry, obtaining an Arizona CWP can still offer important benefits.
For Arizona residents, a valid Arizona CWP can exempt the permit holder from the federal NICS background check when purchasing a firearm from an Arizona FFL. A CWP also allows concealed carry in an Arizona establishment licensed to serve alcohol for consumption on the premises when the establishment has not posted a legally compliant no-firearms notice and the permit holder does not consume alcohol.
For nonresidents, Arizona issues CWPs to eligible U.S. citizens. Arizona does not require the applicant to live in Arizona.
The Arizona CWP adds New Mexico for residents of Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin because New Mexico does not recognize those states’ permits but does recognize Arizona concealed carry permits. New Mexico’s reciprocity rule applies to visitors and does not recognize an out-of-state permit issued to a New Mexico resident.
Arizona CWP Training
Arizona requires applicants to demonstrate firearms competence, but Arizona does not require applicants to complete a specific Arizona CWP course.
Qualifying proof may include an approved firearms-safety course, hunter-safety course, NRA firearms course, qualifying law-enforcement training, qualifying military service, or a current or expired concealed carry permit or license from another state that required training or testing for its initial issuance.
Because the Utah Concealed Firearm Permit requires firearms training for initial issuance, a Utah CFP can be used as qualifying proof of firearms competence for an Arizona CWP application.
Firearm Qualification
Arizona does not require a separate live-fire firearm qualification to obtain a CWP when the applicant provides another form of qualifying proof of firearms competence accepted under Arizona law.
Fingerprinting
Initial Arizona CWP applicants must submit fingerprints using one of two methods.
Electronic Fingerprints via FieldPrint: After submitting the CWP application online, the applicant must schedule a FieldPrint appointment and provide the order number from the submitted application. Once the fingerprints are taken, Arizona DPS can continue processing the application.
Physical Fingerprint Cards: Applicants may instead submit two completed fingerprint cards. The fingerprints must be taken by a qualified fingerprint technician, and all required boxes on the cards must be completed.
Applicants submitting physical fingerprint cards must also include the required coversheet containing the application order number. The coversheet can be printed after the online CWP application has been submitted.
Utah residents can use Utah FAST Fingerprinting to complete the required fingerprint cards.
Arizona CWP Renewal
An Arizona CWP is valid for 5 years.
The initial permit fee is $60, and the renewal fee is $43.
Renewal applicants do not submit new fingerprints or repeat the firearms-training requirement.
A renewal application received more than 60 days after expiration will not be processed as a renewal. The applicant must submit a new CWP application and pay the initial application fee.
Apply For Your Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit
Arizona issues resident and nonresident Concealed Weapons Permits. If you already have qualifying proof of firearms competence, including a qualifying concealed carry permit that required training for initial issuance, you may not need additional training.
$60
Arizona Initial Permit Fee
Arizona residents: A valid Arizona CWP can qualify as an alternative to the federal NICS background check when purchasing a firearm from an Arizona FFL.
A CWP also allows concealed carry in an Arizona establishment licensed to serve alcohol for consumption on the premises when the establishment has not posted a legally compliant no-firearms notice and the permit holder does not consume alcohol.
Arizona issues Concealed Weapons Permits to eligible nonresident U.S. citizens.
The Arizona CWP adds New Mexico for residents of Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Arizona requires proof of firearms competence but does not require a specific Arizona CWP course. Qualifying firearms courses, hunter-safety courses, qualifying law-enforcement training, qualifying military service, and certain current or expired concealed carry permits may satisfy the requirement.
Utah CFP holders: A Utah Concealed Firearm Permit can be used as proof of firearms competence because Utah requires firearms training for initial permit issuance.
Arizona does not require a separate live-fire firearm qualification when the applicant provides another qualifying form of firearms-competence documentation accepted under Arizona law.
Option 1 - Electronic Fingerprints via FieldPrint: After you submit your online application, schedule a FieldPrint appointment and provide the order number from your submitted CCW application. Once your fingerprints are taken, Arizona DPS will process your application.
Option 2 - Physical Fingerprint Cards: You must go to a law enforcement agency or fingerprint provider to obtain two completed fingerprint cards. Fingerprints must be taken by a qualified fingerprint technician, and all boxes must be filled in.
If you are providing hard card fingerprints, you must include a coversheet that includes the order number from your application. You can print the coversheet after submitting the CCW application.
Utah residents can use Utah FAST Fingerprinting to complete the required fingerprint cards.
The Arizona CWP is valid for 5 years. Renewal does not require new fingerprints or repeating the firearms-training requirement.
A renewal application received more than 60 days after expiration will not be processed as a renewal. The applicant must submit a new CWP application and pay the initial application fee.
Arizona accepts new, renewal, duplicate, and address-change concealed weapons permit applications online through the Arizona DPS Permitium portal.