CCW Classes in Illinois

Find Illinois State Police approved CCW classes near you that meet the state's 16-hour Concealed Carry License training requirement.

PermitConcealed Carry License (CCL)
Permitless CarryNo
Minimum Age21
Training16 hours, incl. live fire

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214 instructors and schools listed

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How to Get a Concealed Carry License (CCL) in Illinois

Illinois does not allow permitless carry. To carry a concealed handgun, you need a Concealed Carry License (CCL) from the Illinois State Police under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66). The license is valid statewide for 5 years.

Who Can Apply

You must be at least 21 years old.
Illinois residents need a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Card and must not be barred from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
No violent misdemeanor, 2 or more DUI violations, or court-ordered or residential drug or alcohol treatment in the past 5 years.
Nonresidents qualify only from states rated substantially similar, currently Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas, and Virginia.

Training Requirements

New applicants need at least 16 hours with an approved instructor, covering firearm safety, marksmanship, gun care and loading, firearm laws, and interacting with law enforcement.

Live fire: 30 rounds at a B-27 target, 10 each from 5, 7, and 10 yards, with at least 70% hits.
Military members and honorably discharged veterans get 8 hours of credit.
Up to 8 hours of credit is available for approved prior training.
Renewal requires 3 hours of training.

How to Apply

Get or confirm your FOID Card (residents).
Complete the 16-hour course and get your electronic certificate.
Take a head and shoulder photo within 30 days of applying.
Optionally get electronic fingerprints from a licensed Live Scan vendor.
Apply and pay online through the Illinois State Police.

The state must issue or deny a license within 90 days of a completed application, or 120 days if you skip fingerprints.

Cost

The state fee is $150 for residents and $300 for nonresidents, for new licenses and renewals. Card payments add a 2.25% service fee. Class prices are set by each instructor.

Carry Rules to Know

Open carry is not allowed. Your handgun must be completely or mostly concealed from public view.
Licensees may carry a loaded concealed handgun on or about their person in a vehicle.
Prohibited places include schools, child care facilities, government buildings, courts, hospitals, public transit, bars earning over 50% from alcohol, public parks, colleges, casinos, stadiums, libraries, airports, zoos, and museums.
In most prohibited parking lots, you may store the gun in a case inside your locked vehicle.
Private owners can ban guns with the official 4 by 6 inch sign.
Illinois does not honor other states' licenses. Nonresidents licensed at home may only carry concealed inside their own vehicle.

Official source: Illinois State Police

Illinois CCW FAQs

How Much Does a Concealed Carry License Cost in Illinois?

The Illinois State Police charges $150 for residents and $300 for nonresidents, for both new licenses and renewals. Fees are non-refundable, and paying by credit or debit card adds a 2.25% ePay service fee with a $1.00 minimum. Training is a separate cost set by each instructor.

How Long Is the Illinois CCW Class?

New applicants need at least 16 hours of approved training, including a live-fire qualification of 30 rounds from 5, 7, and 10 yards with at least 70% hits. Military members and veterans with an honorable discharge get 8 hours of credit, and up to 8 hours of credit is available for approved prior training. Renewal requires 3 hours of training.

Does Illinois Have Permitless Carry?

No. Illinois requires a Concealed Carry License issued by the Illinois State Police to carry a concealed handgun, and open carry is not allowed. The main exceptions are carrying on your own land, in your home or fixed place of business, or as an invited guest in another person's home with permission.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Concealed Carry License in Illinois?

By law, the Illinois State Police must issue or deny a license within 90 days after receiving a completed application with electronic fingerprints. If you apply without fingerprints, the agency is allowed 30 additional days, for a total of 120 days. A law enforcement objection referred to the review board pauses that clock.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Concealed Carry License in Illinois?

You must be at least 21 years old to get an Illinois Concealed Carry License. This applies to both residents and nonresidents.

Do You Need a FOID Card to Get a Concealed Carry License in Illinois?

Yes, if you are an Illinois resident. You must hold a currently valid FOID Card to have a CCL, and the CCL does not replace the FOID Card. Nonresidents from approved states do not need a FOID Card but must submit the documentation the Illinois State Police requires to show they would qualify for one.

Do You Need a Holster to Carry in Illinois?

The Firearm Concealed Carry Act does not require a holster. It does require that your handgun be completely or mostly concealed from public view, and your instructor will cover safe carry and handling during the 16-hour course. If you carry, 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 Illinois

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Illinois Public Safety Training Group - IPST

Second Amendment Sports

Decatur Jewelry & Pawn

Illinois Concealed Training

Hijutsu Concealed Carry Classes

The Range At 355

Shore Galleries

Smokin Gun Worx

Lightning Defense Academy

West Suburban Concealed Carry

JM Training

Alpha Koncepts

CNC Academy, Concealed Carry Classes, Schaumburg IL.

Concealed Carry Safety for Personal Defense Inc

We Carry Illinois

Red Dot Arms Training Academy

Southern Cross Safety Academy & JM Training

Pelcher Outdoors

D5 Ranges Marengo

Concealed Carry @ T.R.A. Defense Training & Consulting

Madison Guns

StS Armory

Defense Depot

TOP NOTCH Firearms Training

CRITICAL DECISION

Chicagoland Firearm Training

Guardian Training Center - Guardian Concepts LLC & Titan Tactical

Forefront Defense, LLC

Black Matrix Academy

WATS Concealed Training

Creative Concealed Carry

Firearm Mentor

Aurora Sportsmen's Club Rifle/Pistol Range Area

Darnall's Gun Works & Ranges

Concealed Carry Safety Academy

Vapor Haus & CBD of Dundee

Sheepdog Firearms - Monee

KAM Shooting Sports

Illinois Protect and Conceal

Shooting Sports

LAMASSU GEARS FIREARMS TRAINING ACADEMY

Extreme Exigency

Central Illinois Conceal Carry

Lucky Star Tactical

Condition Yellow Academy

Good Shepherd Defense

MTM Arms

American Gun Depot

We the People Firearms Training Academy

Archetype of the gun

HBT Security Group Inc.

B N T Arms

Project Achilles - Mixed Martial Arts - BJJ - Muay Thai - Self Defense - Concealed Carry Licence - Kid BJJ - Kid Muay Thaï

Gurnee Pistol Academy

One Shot On Target

Keep Calm And Carry

Five Rings Armory

First Shot Firearm Training

Defensive Tactics Training Solutions, Inc.

TriggerFarm® Firearms Training

Up N Arms LLC

Illinois Gun Class

TRA GUNS (TRAINED READY & ARMED)

Condition 1 Training Academy

Personal Best Firearms Training Inc.

Sportsman's Resource Training, LLC.

Platforms Training Academy

Griffin Training Academy

N Arms We Trust

Global Security Solutions

Guns-N-Such

Black Bear Lodge North

Chicagoland Detective Services

Tactical Operators Training Center conceal carry classes

JW's Shooting Parlor

Confidential Protective Services

Redline Concealed Carry

EDK Defensive Consultants LLC