Iowa is a constitutional carry state. Eligible individuals 18 or older may carry without an Iowa permit. Iowa also issues a Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons to eligible Iowa residents 18 or older.
Although Iowa does not require a permit to carry, obtaining one can still offer important benefits.
For residents, an Iowa Permit to Carry provides reciprocity when traveling to states that recognize Iowa permits. A valid Iowa Permit to Carry held by a person 21 or older can also be used when purchasing a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee without undergoing a separate NICS background check at the time of purchase. An Iowa permit can also provide the federal permit exception to the Gun-Free School Zones Act.
Iowa does not issue the Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons to nonresidents. Nonresidents may only qualify for an Iowa Professional Permit to Carry Weapons when the need to carry is related to qualifying employment.
Online Training
Iowa allows you to complete the required handgun-safety training for an initial Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons fully online.
Firearm Qualification
Iowa does not require a live-fire firearm qualification.
Iowa Permit Renewal
The Iowa Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons is valid for 5 years.
The initial permit fee is $50, and the renewal fee is $25 when the renewal application is submitted within Iowa’s renewal period.
A renewal application may be submitted within 30 days before or 30 days after expiration. Applications submitted outside that period are charged the initial permit fee.
Iowa does not require additional firearms training for renewal.
Complete Your Iowa Permit Training Online
Complete the handgun-safety training requirement for an Iowa Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons entirely online.
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Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons Online Training Course
Start Iowa Permit TrainingResidents: An Iowa Permit to Carry provides reciprocity when traveling. A permit held by a person age 21 or older can also qualify as an alternative to a NICS background check when purchasing from an FFL and can provide the federal permit exception to the Gun-Free School Zones Act.
Iowa does not issue the Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons to nonresidents. Nonresidents may only qualify for a Professional Permit to Carry Weapons for qualifying employment-related purposes.
The required handgun-safety training may be completed fully online.
Iowa does not require a live-fire firearm qualification.
The Iowa Nonprofessional Permit to Carry Weapons is valid for 5 years. Renewal is $25 when submitted within 30 days before or after expiration. Iowa does not require additional firearms training for renewal.