Washington State Non-Resident Guide

Apply in Person at Any Washington Sheriff's Office, Get Fingerprinted, Pay About $51. No Class Needed Until May 2027. Valid 5 Years.

At a glance (checked Nov 1, 2026):

• Can a New Yorker apply? Yes. A person who lives outside Washington can apply at any sheriff's office in the state. You do not need a home-state carry license.

• Training: None today. Starting May 1, 2027 a certified course with live fire (at least 50 rounds) will be required

• Fingerprints: Taken when you apply (for a first license)

• In person: Yes. You apply in person at the sheriff's office (King County: by appointment at its local offices)

• Cost: $36 plus FBI fingerprint charges by law; King County charges $51 for an original CPL

• Processing: Up to 60 days for an applicant without a Washington driver's license (30 days for residents)

• Valid for: 5 years

• Washington law says the sheriff or police chief shall issue a license to "any person" who applies, unless the person is disqualified. A New York carry license is not required. For more information click here

• You must be 21 or older, not barred from having a gun under state or federal law, not under certain court orders, not free on bond for a felony, and not have an open warrant.

• The King County Sheriff: "If you live outside Washington, you can apply at any Sheriff's Office in the State of Washington." Bring your driver's license or state ID (passports and military IDs are not accepted instead of a state ID). For more information click here

• Non-citizens: permanent residents bring the original green card; other rules apply.

• Today: Washington requires no class and no shooting test for a CPL. For more information click here

• From May 1, 2027: the new version of the law (passed in 2025) requires a certificate from a certified concealed carry safety course taken within the last 5 years. It must include live fire on a range with at least 50 rounds under an instructor's supervision. Plan for this if you apply after that date. For more information click here

• We could not yet find the list of certified courses or whether out-of-state courses will count. Check the official page before you apply after May 2027.

• Pick a sheriff's office. Non-residents may use any sheriff in the state (King County says so on its page). A city police department is for people who live in that city. For more information click here

• King County (Seattle area): appear in person during business hours at the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle or a local office, by appointment.

• The application asks for your name, address, date and place of birth, physical description, driver's license or state ID number, citizenship, and questions about your eligibility. A photo may be taken for the card. For more information click here

• The office may not refuse to accept a completed application during regular business hours.

• A first license includes a full set of fingerprints for the State Patrol and FBI check. They are taken when you apply. For more information click here

• By law the fee for an original 5-year license is $36 plus the FBI's charges. No other state or local office may add charges.

• King County fees (effective Jan 1, 2025): original CPL $51, renewal $32, late renewal $42, replacement $10. Check, money order or cashier's check for the exact amount; cards at some locations with a 2.35% fee (minimum $2). For more information click here

• If you do not have a Washington driver's license or ID, the office has up to 60 days to issue the license (30 days otherwise). King County says out-of-state license holders may have a 60-day wait. For more information click here

• The license is valid for 5 years.

• Renewal: $32, within 90 days before or after the expiration date (a $10 late penalty after it expires). The state mails a renewal notice about 90 days before it expires.

• Report an address change. Carry the CPL with you whenever you carry.

• Not valid in New York.

• In Washington: Washington does not honor a New York license. It honors licenses only from Idaho (enhanced), Kansas (standard), Louisiana, Michigan, Montana (enhanced), North Carolina, North Dakota (class 1), Ohio, South Dakota (unrestricted enhanced and gold) and Utah (not the provisional permit). The law does not say the license must be a resident license, so a Utah non-resident permit may count; this is not confirmed. For more information click here

• In other states: the Washington Attorney General notes that Michigan does not honor non-resident Washington licenses. Some other states also honor only resident permits (for example Florida). For more information click here

• States that require a permit and honor Washington include North Carolina and Virginia. Wisconsin also honors out-of-state permits. Minnesota and New Mexico do not. For more information click here

• Most other states that honor it already let visitors 21 and older carry with no permit. Check the map before you travel.

• Keep the CPL on you whenever you carry and show it to a police officer on request. For more information click here

• Loaded pistol in a car: you need a CPL, and the pistol must be on you, or you must be in the car, or it must be locked in the car and hidden from view when you leave. For more information click here

• No carry in: K-12 school grounds, school buses and school board meetings; courtrooms and court areas; restricted areas of jails and police stations; restricted areas of mental health facilities; bars and parts of restaurants closed to people under 21; airport secure areas; public libraries; accredited zoos and aquariums; and transit stations. For more information click here

• Open carry is banned at the state capitol and at city or county council meetings. Concealed carry with a CPL is allowed at permitted demonstrations. For more information click here

• Magazines: Washington bans the sale, making and import of magazines over 10 rounds (since 2022). The law does not ban owning or carrying them. For more information click here

• Washington has no duty to tell an officer you are carrying unless asked.

Every state has different laws pertaining to carrying, restrictions etc. It is your responsibility to know these laws and be familiar with them before visiting that state.

This guide summarizes the state's published instructions as of November 1, 2026 and is not legal advice. Fees, forms and rules change; always check the official page before you apply. Tips from others' experience come from users on the chats; they are personal experiences, not official rules.

Checked November 1, 2026.

• RCW 9.41.070, Concealed pistol license (who qualifies, 60 days, 5 years, $36 fee, renewal; version effective May 1, 2027 adds training). For more information click here

• RCW 9.41.073, Reciprocity. For more information click here

• Washington Attorney General, Concealed Pistol License Reciprocity (updated July 10, 2026). For more information click here

• King County Sheriff's Office, Concealed Pistol License (non-residents may apply at any sheriff's office, fees, in person). For more information click here

• RCW 9.41.050 (carrying; loaded pistol in a vehicle). For more information click here

• RCW 9.41.300 and 9.41.280 (places where weapons are prohibited; schools). For more information click here

• RCW 9.41.305 (open carry at the capitol and municipal meetings). For more information click here

• RCW 9.41.370 (large capacity magazine sales). For more information click here

• Minnesota BCA, Permit to Carry Reciprocity (Washington permits not valid in Minnesota). For more information click here

• New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Concealed Carry Licenses (does not honor Washington). For more information click here