Arkansas permit process

How To Get Your Arkansas Concealed Carry Permit

Whether you're new to owning a firearm or have had a gun for home defense for years, getting a concealed handgun permit may seem daunting. It doesn't have to be. There are many reasons and ways to carry a concealed weapon, but the first step is knowing Arkansas's concealed carry laws. Applying for a CHCL varies by state.

Read about the process for getting a Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License below.

Steps To Get A Arkansas Concealed Carry Permit

1

COMPLETE a CHCL firearms safety class for a CHCL. If applying for an enhanced CHCL, the enhanced training class is also required.

2

Apply online or by submitting a paper application within 6 months of finishing your firearms safety class and write your confirmation number/order ID on your training certificate.

3

Have your fingerprints taken at your local law enforcement agency or by a private fingerprinting business.


Submit your fingerprints, training certificate and fee to the Arkansas State Police at:

Arkansas State Police

CHCL Section

1 State Police Plaza Drive

Little Rock, AR 72209

4

CHECK YOUR MAILBOX -- Processing time for permit applications is 120 days

Find a CCW Training Class

What Are the Firearms Training Requirements in Arkansas?

Approximately 5-hour training class is required to obtain a CHCL

  • Knowledge of Arkansas law relating to firearms and the use of deadly force
  • Familiarity with the basic concepts of the safe and responsible use of handguns
  • Knowledge of self-defense principles
  • Physical competence with a handgun

All training must be obtained within the last six months prior to applying for a license.

An additional approximately eight-hour enhanced training class and live-fire qualification is required to obtain an E-CHCL, although there are limited exemptions from the “live-fire” training requirement.

What Are the Arkansas License to Carry a Handgun Requirements?

An applicant must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident;
  • Be at least 21 years of age or 18 years of age if a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, honorably discharged or National Guard;
  • Have been a resident of Arkansas for the last 90 days, or be an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces (or the spouse) who submits documentation of his or her active duty status;
  • Not suffer from a mental or physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a handgun and not have threatened or attempted suicide;
  • Not have been convicted of a felony, without having been pardoned and had firearms possession rights restored, or have had the record sealed or expunged for a sentence prior to March 13, 1995, or have had an offense which was dismissed and sealed or expunged under § 16-93-301 et seq. or § 16-98-303(g);
  • Not be subject to any federal, state or local law which makes it unlawful to receive, possess or transport any firearm, and have had his or her background check successfully completed through the Department of Arkansas State Police and the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System;
  • Not chronically or habitually abuse controlled substances or alcoholic beverage to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired (further detailed in §§ 5-73-309(7)(B) and (8)(B);
  • Have read the Arkansas concealed carry law;
  • Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent;
  • Not have been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facility (veterans who have voluntarily sought mental health treatment at a mental health institution or mental health treatment facility may obtain a license under this subchapter if a circuit court grants his or her petition under § 5-73-327);
  • Not be a fugitive from justice or does not have an active warrant for his or her arrest;
  • Have completed an approved firearms training class;
  • Not have been convicted of the offense of carrying a weapon within the last 5 years; 
  • Sign a statement of allegiance to the United States and Arkansas Constitutions; and
  • Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Arkansas.

What are the Fees and Terms?

$88.25 -- Paper Applications 64 and younger

Valid for Five Years from Date of Issue

120 Days to Process

$91.90 - Online Applications 64 & Younger

Where Can I Find Application Forms?

What Concealed Carry Permit Options Exist Based on Residency?

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Licenses:

Yes, but only for members of the military permanently stationed in Arkansas and their spouses. The process is the same as for residents.

Residency Changes:

Moving to Arkansas and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply? Is your resident permit from your former state transferable to Arkansas? Arkansas issues licenses to residents and members of the military, National Guard and military spouses. You can apply for your license once you have been a resident of Arkansas for at least 90 days, meet the military requirements or if you are a spouse of an active duty member of the military. You can also transfer your previous resident permit by completing the new paper application above indicating Transfer Application.

Moving from Arkansas and have an Arkansas resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Arkansas license remains valid?If a person with an Arkansas concealed handgun carry license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.

How Do I Renew My Concealed Carry Permit in Arkansas?

Renewals are the responsibility of the licensee. You must complete a firearm renewal training course within 6 months prior to the license expiration or renewal date. The renewal training must include “live fire.” 

The Department will accept the application packet prior to the 90 days before renewal, although the license will not be issued until closer to the renewal date. If your license has been expired for more than 6 months, you are required to submit a new application.

You may apply online or using a mail-in renewal application.

1

COMPLETE the online renewal form.

If you use the mail-in process, first complete a firearm training course within the 6 months prior to the license expiration or renewal date. 

2

CONTACT a Concealed Handgun Instructor and complete the required training for a concealed handgun carry license.


For Mail-In renewals, the following documents must be mailed in:


3

MAIL-IN ONLY -- Mail your documents to:

Arkansas State Police ATTN: CHCL

Section1 State Police Plaza Drive

Little Rock, AR 72209

4

CHECK YOUR MAILBOX -- You will be notified if your application has been approved.

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