CCW Classes in California

Find CCW classes in California taught by DOJ-certified instructors, plus the training, cost, and carry rules for a California CCW license.

PermitLicense to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW)
Permitless CarryNo
Minimum Age21 years old
Training16 hours with live fire

Find an Instructor

254 instructors and schools listed

Teach CCW Classes in California?

Claim your free listing, add your class dates, and get a free Rounded Gear holster for your own carry gun when you're verified.

Claim Your Listing

How to Get a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW) in California

California requires a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW) to carry a concealed gun in public and does not allow permitless carry. Your county sheriff or city police chief issues the license and, under SB 2, must issue one to any applicant who meets the legal requirements.

Who Can Apply

You must be at least 21 years old.
You must not be a disqualified person under Penal Code 26202, which covers factors such as being a likely danger to yourself or others, certain restraining orders, and certain convictions.
Residents must live in the county or city where they apply, or work there, and be the DOJ-recorded owner of each gun on the license.
Since January 1, 2026, non-residents can also apply.

Training Requirements

New applicants need a course of at least 16 hours, and renewals need at least 8. It covers safety, handling, shooting technique, storage, transport, where licensees may carry, and use-of-force law, plus at least 1 hour on mental health. A DOJ-certified instructor must teach it, except the mental health portion. You must pass a written exam and a live-fire qualification with each gun you want listed.

How to Apply

Review your sheriff's or police department's written CCW policy.
Complete the state's standard application (BOF 4012), often through the agency's online portal.
Pay the first part of the local fee and submit Live Scan fingerprints.
Complete an interview. The agency also contacts at least three character references, and some require a psychological assessment.
Complete the training course and live-fire qualification.
Pay the remaining fee and receive your license once DOJ confirms your eligibility.

Cost

Fees vary by county and city. You pay a DOJ background check fee plus a local fee limited to the agency's reasonable costs, and training is extra. For example, Santa Cruz County's local fee is $504 as of July 1, 2026. The DOJ renewal fee for a standard license is $93. A standard license is valid for up to two years.

Carry Rules to Know

Carry only guns listed on your license, no more than two at a time, and keep the license on you.
Do not drink alcohol or use controlled substances while carrying.
Of the 26 sensitive places in SB 2, 20 are enforceable, including schools, courts, government buildings, colleges, airports, polling places, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, parks, playgrounds, libraries, stadiums, casinos, amusement parks, zoos, and museums.
Six remain blocked by court order: medical facilities, public transit, permitted public gatherings, places of worship, banks, and private businesses without a permission sign.
Where carry is banned, you can generally lock the gun in a DOJ-certified lock box in your vehicle.

Official source: County Sheriff or City Police Chief

California CCW FAQs

How Much Does a CCW Permit Cost in California?

The cost depends on the county or city that issues your license. You pay a DOJ background check fee plus a local processing fee that state law limits to the agency's reasonable costs, and up to half of the local fee can be collected when you apply. Training and any required psychological assessment cost extra. For example, Santa Cruz County charges a $504 local fee as of July 1, 2026. For renewals, the DOJ fee for a standard license is $93 as of September 1, 2026.

How Long Is the California CCW Class?

A new license requires a course of at least 16 hours, and a renewal requires at least 8 hours. The course must include at least 1 hour on mental health resources, a written exam, and live-fire qualification with every gun you want listed on the license. Some licensing authorities instead require a POST-certified community college course of up to 24 hours.

Does California Allow Permitless Carry?

No. California does not allow permitless carry. You need a CCW license from your county sheriff or city police chief to carry a concealed gun in public.

How Long Does It Take to Get a CCW in California?

By law, the licensing authority must tell you in writing whether your new license is approved or denied within 120 days of receiving your completed application, or within 30 days after it receives your DOJ background check results, whichever is later. Renewal applications follow the same 120-day rule. The total time also depends on how quickly you finish your interview, fingerprints, and training.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a CCW in California?

You must be at least 21 years old to get a CCW license in California. This applies to both California residents and non-residents.

Which States Honor a California CCW?

Each state decides for itself which out-of-state permits it recognizes, and California does not set that list. Arizona, for example, recognizes any valid out-of-state permit by statute, as long as the holder is at least 21, legally present, and not prohibited from having a gun. In the other direction, California does not honor any other state's permit, so visitors must get a California non-resident CCW license, which became available on January 1, 2026.

Do You Need a Holster to Carry in California?

California's Penal Code does not require a specific type of holster for CCW licensees. Your licensing authority can add reasonable conditions on the time, place, and manner of carry, so its license conditions may include how you carry. Even where a holster is not required, it is the safest way to carry, so choose one that covers the trigger guard completely and holds the gun securely, like a KYDEX holster molded to your exact gun.

Listings come from public business information and instructor submissions. Laws change, so confirm current requirements with the official state agency before you apply. This page is not legal advice. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

CCW Classes in California

Find an Instructor

Nationwide CCW

Northern Firearms Instruction

Elite CCW and Firearm Training

LAX Firing Range

Luna's Security Training Academy, LLC

Sentri Institute by Iron Focus

Public Safety Institute

Iron Sights Shooting Range

First Step Shooting

Bay Area Tactical Group

A4S Firearms Training

On Target

Cobra Tactical Inc

Nice Shot

P2K Sports

California Tactical Academy

Southwest Training Center

Security Guard Card Training

Right 2 Bear, LLC

Legacy Firearms Academy

AAO

Nor Cal Gun Vault

Spartan Defense

Bay Area Firearms

CCW USA Firearms Training

Blue Collar Firearms

Phoenix Tactical Solutions.

Practical Is Tactical

The CCW School

Khan Paralegal & Notary

TRB Training - Firearms Training, CCW Permit, Rifle Safety Training, Pistol Safety Training

Firearms Training Academy

Brass & Bass

Prestigious Investigative Services Inc.

Guns LA

Freedom Firearms

Get Loaded Guns and Ammo

Practical Defense Systems

American Defense Enterprises, Inc.

Paladin Tactical US

CCW Training Company

Ten-8 Tactical Firearms Training

American Gunsmithing Institute

Security & Firearms Training Academy - SAFTA

AllSafe Defense Systems

Sacramento Security Training Center, Inc.

Splitz second shooting FT&S, LLC

Gun Gallery Inc.

Artemis Defense Institute

Enforcement Trainers, Inc

Loyal Arms

Tacfire Tactical Firearms Training Institute Inc.

Cj's World

Firearms Academy

Hangtown Range

Academy Security Training #TFF1185

Glendale School of Security & Investigative Services

VC Armory

Delta Tactical Training Group

Public Safety Institute

Black Oak Training, Inc.

Rankin Field Weapons Range

Confidence Safety Academy

Accuracy Firearm Training

ONE on ONE Firearms

Apple Valley Gun Club

ASP Firearm Training

International Tactical Training Seminars Inc.

BullsEye Tactical Firearms Training

BullsEye Tactical Firearms Training

AA TACTICAL CHINO HILLS

Record Range

BPO Security/Arc Angel Defense CCW, LiveScan,Security Guard Training.

Protector CCW & Firearms Training

Tactical & Strategic Innovations - Online Store, Firearms Training, CCW Training for Gardena, Hermosa, Redondo, Torrance

Firearms Training Associates

Mustang Firearms & Sporting Goods

Border Tactical