Concealed Carry License

On July 9, 2013, Public Act 98-63, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act became state law (430 ILCS 66). This law requires an Illinois Concealed Carry License to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois.

Please Note: If you possess a Medical Marijuana License, are a caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, and/or otherwise use cannabis consistent with Illinois law, your FOID card or CCL will not be revoked nor will your application(s) denied. Medical Marijuana Licenses are state-issued and cannot result in the denial of any right or privilege. However, under Federal law, you are subject to restrictions that prohibit you from acquiring or possessing firearms and firearms ammunition. These restrictions are pursuant to the Gun Control Act of 1968, specifically 18 U.S.C. §922 and remain in effect until the revocation or relinquishment of your medical cannabis card or until one year after you last used cannabis, whichever is later.

Need to send us your new training certificate because YOUR CCL INSTRUCTOR HAD HIS OR HER CERTIFICATION REVOKED? Please send it to: isp.ccw.illinois@illinois.gov.

Eligibility Rules for an Illinois Concealed Carry License

ILLINOIS RESIDENTS

• I am at least 21 years old.
• I have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card.
• I have not been convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor involving the threat of physical force or violence to any person within the past 5 years.
• I do not have 2 or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drugs, intoxicating compounds within the past 5 years.
• I am not subject to a pending arrest warrant, prosecution or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification to own or possess a firearm.
• I have not been in a residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the past 5 years.
• You may be eligible if you satisfy the above and no objections are filed by law enforcement. (Section 15)

1. Any law enforcement agency may submit an objection to a license applicant based upon a reasonable suspicion that the applicant is a danger to himself or herself or others, or a threat to public safety. The objection shall be made by the chief law enforcement officer of the law enforcement agency, or his or her designee, and must include any information relevant to the objection. If a law enforcement agency submits an objection within 30 days after the entry of an applicant into the database, the Department shall submit the objection and all information related to the application to the Board within 10days of completing all necessary background checks.
2. If an applicant has 5 or more arrests for any reason, that have been entered into the Criminal History Records Information (CHRI) System, within the 7 years preceding the date of application for a license, or has 3 or more arrests within the 7 years preceding the date of application for a license for any combination of gang-related offenses, the Department shall object and submit the applicant's arrest record, the application materials, and any additionalinformation submitted by a law enforcement agency to the Board. For purposes of this subsection, "gang-related offense" is an offense described in Section 12-6.4, Section 24-1.8, Section 25-5, Section 33-4, or Section 33G-4, or in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 12-6.2, paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Section 16-30, paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Section 31-4, or item (iii) of paragraph (1.5) of subsection (i) of Section 48-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012.
3. The referral of an objection under this Section to the Board shall toll the 90-day period for the Department to issue or deny the applicant a license under subsection (e) of Section 10 of this Act, during the period of review and until the Boardissues its decision.
4. If no objection is made by a law enforcement agency or the Department under this Section, the Department shall processthe application in accordance with this Act.

NON-RESIDENTS

• I am at least 21 years old.
• I have not been convicted of any Felony.
• I have not been adjudicated as a mental defective by a court of law.
• I have not been involuntarily committed to a facility for the purpose of mental health treatment.
• I have not been admitted as a voluntary patient in a facility for the purpose of mental health treatment within the past 5 years.
• I have not been addicted to narcotics.
• I am not intellectually disabled or developmentally disabled.
• I am not subject to any active Order of Protection.
• I have not within the past 5 years been convicted of battery, assault, aggravated assault, violation of an order of protection, or a substantially similar offense in which a firearm was used or possessed.
• I have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic battery or substantially similar offense.
• I have not been adjudicated a delinquent minor for the commission of an offense that if committed by an adult would be a felony.
• I have not been convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor involving the threat of physical force or violence to any person within the past 5 years.
• I do not have 2 or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drugs, intoxicating compounds within the past 5 years.
• I am not subject to a pending arrest warrant, prosecution or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification to own or possess a firearm.
• I have not been in a residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the past 5 years.
• You may be eligible if you satisfy the above and no objections are filed by law enforcement. (Section 15)

1. Any law enforcement agency may submit an objection to a license applicant based upon a reasonable suspicion that the applicant is a danger to himself or herself or others, or a threat to public safety. The objection shall be made by the chief law enforcement officer of the law enforcement agency, or his or her designee, and must include any information relevant to the objection. If a law enforcement agency submits an objection within 30 days after the entry of an applicant into the database, the Department shall submit the objection and all information related to the application to the Board within 10days of completing all necessary background checks.
2. If an applicant has 5 or more arrests for any reason, that have been entered into the Criminal History Records Information (CHRI) System, within the 7 years preceding the date of application for a license, or has 3 or more arrests within the 7 years preceding the date of application for a license for any combination of gang-related offenses, the Department shall object and submit the applicant's arrest record, the application materials, and any additionalinformation submitted by a law enforcement agency to the Board. For purposes of this subsection, "gang-related offense" is an offense described in Section 12-6.4, Section 24-1.8, Section 25-5, Section 33-4, or Section 33G-4, or in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 12-6.2, paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Section 16-30, paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Section 31-4, or item (iii) of paragraph (1.5) of subsection (i) of Section 48-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012.
3. The referral of an objection under this Section to the Board shall toll the 90-day period for the Department to issue or deny the applicant a license under subsection (e) of Section 10 of this Act, during the period of review and until the Boardissues its decision.
4. If no objection is made by a law enforcement agency or the Department under this Section, the Department shall processthe application in accordance with this Act.

Requirements Prior to Applying for a Concealed Carry License

ILLINOIS RESIDENTS

• 16 hours of Concealed Carry firearms training provided by an ISP approved Instructor.
• Electronic Copy of my training certificate(s). You will be required to upload your electronic certificate during the application process.
• An Illinois State Police User ID and Password
• A Valid Driver’s License or State Identification card.
• A valid FOID card unless in the process of getting a valid FOID card.
• A head and shoulder electronic photograph taken within the last 30 days.
• Be able to provide the last ten years of residency.
• Fingerprints – Electronic fingerprints will expedite your application! Specify to the Live Scan vendor that your fingerprint application is for the Concealed Carry application (ORI = IL920707Z, Purpose Code = CCW). NOTE: Applicants will be assigned a transaction control number (TCN) at the time of fingerprinting and will be required to retain that TCN to complete the application.
• $150.00 payable with a credit card or electronic check.

NON-RESIDENTS

In accordance with 430 ILCS 66/40 (b), out of state residents may be eligible for an Illinois Concealed Carry License if your statemeets the definition of substantially similar as established by rule. See 20 Il. Admin. Code 1231.10. Currently, the statesidentified below have been determined to have laws related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying that are substantiallysimilar to the requirements to obtain a license under Illinois’ law; and, therefore, may apply for an Concealed Carry License.This list will be updated as additional states are identified as substantially similar. Further Information concerning theregulations for non-resident applications can be found at 20 Il. Admin. Code 1231.110.

Other requirements if your state meets the substantially similarly definition:

• 16 hours of Concealed Carry firearms training provided by an ISP approved Instructor.
• An electronic copy of a valid concealed carry license from my home state.
• Electronic Copy of my training certificate(s). You will be required to upload your electronic certificate during the application process.
• A head and shoulder electronic photograph taken within the last 30 days.
• An Illinois State Police User ID and password
• A Valid Driver’s License or State Identification card.
• Be able to provide the last ten years of residency.
• A notarized affidavit Opens in new window documenting the applicant’s eligibility under both state and federal laws, the understanding of the laws pertaining to possession and transport of firearms, acknowledgment the applicant is subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Police and the Illinois courts and that the applicant meets the mental health standards in Illinois to obtain a firearm.
• $300.00 payable with a credit card or electronic check.