Illinois permit process

How To Get Your Illinois 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 Illinois's concealed carry laws. Applying for a CCL varies by state.

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

Steps To Get A Illinois Concealed Carry Permit

1

APPLY for an Illinois Firearm Owner ID.

o to the Illinois State Police website and get a user ID and password. You will need the following:

  • A valid driver’s license or state identification card
  • A head and shoulder electronic photograph taken within the last 30 days
  • $10 payable with a credit card or electronic check

You will be notified by email if your FOID application has been approved.

2

COMPLETE your firearms training course provided by an Illinois State Police-approved instructor.

3

COMPLETE the online application for a CCL.

There are also options for submitting paper applications as well as a phone-in method (217-782-7980).


  • A valid Illinois driver’s license or state ID
  • An Illinois State Police user ID and password
  • An electronic copy of your training certificate(s)
  • A valid FOID or a FOID in process
  • An electronic head and shoulders photo taken within the previous 30 days
  • Provide the last 10 years of residency
  • For non-residents:
  • An electronic copy of a valid concealed carry license from the applicant’s home state
  • A notarized affidavit documenting the applicant’s eligibility under both state and federal laws, 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


4

Optional: An applicant is not required to submit fingerprints with the application. However, the department has an additional 30 days to review an application that does not include fingerprints. If opting to provide fingerprints, go to a fingerprint vendor and have your prints taken.

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. Specify to the Live Scan vendor that your fingerprint application is for the concealed carry application.


Make your payment.

5

CHECK YOUR MAILBOX.

You will be notified by email if your CCL application has been approved. Allow 90 days for processing or 120 days if electronic fingerprints are not provided. 



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What Are the Firearms Training Requirements in Illinois?

An applicant must complete a 16-hour firearms training course consisting of:

  • Firearms safety
  • Principles of marksmanship
  • Care, cleaning, loading and unloading of a concealable firearm
  • All applicable Illinois and federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carrying and transportation of a firearm
  • Proof of certification by a certified instructor that the applicant passed a live-fire exercise with a concealable firearm consisting of:
  • A minimum of 30 rounds
  • 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards, 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a target approved by DSP

CERTIFICATE OF LIVE-FIRE EXERCISE BY CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR CONSISTING OF:

  • 5 Yards - 10 rounds
  • 7 Yards - 10 rounds
  • 10 Yards - 10 rounds

Members of the military and persons who have completed a firearms training course in another state that has been approved by Illinois can obtain a credit of 8 hours toward the required 16-hour course.

A three-hour firearms training course conducted by a state-approved instructor is required for all concealed carry license renewals.

What Are the Illinois License to Carry a Handgun Requirements?

An applicant must:

  • Be 21 years old;
  • Have applied for, or have a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) — FOIDs are valid for 10 years and are processed in 30 days;
  • Not have been convicted of a felony;
  • Not have failed a drug test for a drug for which the applicant did not have a prescription within the previous year;
  • Not have been convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor involving the threat of physical force or violence to any person within the past 5 years;
  • Not have two or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drugs or intoxicating compounds within the past 5 years;
  • Not be 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;
  • Not have been in a residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification or drug treatment within the past 5 years; 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 Illinois.

Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022. The Illinois State Police will create a combined FOID and CCL, offering cardholders the ability to apply for renewal 6 months before the expiration date, and and will update FOID and CCL renewal dates to be the same for one cardholder.

Beginning January 1, 2022, if the FOID expires during the term of the licensee's CCL, the FOID and the license remain valid during the validity of the CCL and the licensee does not have to renew his or her FOID, if the FOID has not been otherwise renewed as provided in this Act. Unless the Illinois State Police has reason to believe the licensee is no longer eligible for the card, the Illinois State Police may automatically renew the licensee's FOID.

What are the Fees and Terms?

Valid for Five Years from Date of Issue

90 - 120 Day Processing Time

$150 Initial License, $300 Non-Resident Initial License

$150 for License Renewal, $300 Non-Resident Renewal

Where Can I Find Application Forms?

What Concealed Carry Permit Options Exist Based on Residency?

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Licenses:

Illinois grants non-resident licenses only to residents of states or territories of the United States that have laws related to firearm ownership, possession and carrying that are substantially similar to the requirements to Illinois. Currently, the only states considered to be substantially similar are Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Virginia. The application is the same as for residents.

Residency Changes:

Moving to Illinois and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Illinois issues licenses to residents and select non-residents as noted above. Residents are required to obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card in order to apply for a license. Non-residents are not required to have a FOID provided they have a valid concealed carry permit issued in their home state. Any new resident who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing or using a firearm, is not required to have a FOID card to possess firearms or firearms ammunition, until 60 calendar days after he or she obtains an Illinois driver's license or Illinois ID Card.

Moving from Illinois and have a Illinois resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Illinois license remains valid?Simply mail your FOID and CCL back to the Firearms Services Bureau at 801 S. 7th Street, Suite 400M, Springfield Illinois 62703. Include a note that you have moved out of state and are surrendering your FOID/CCL. If you are moving to a substantially similar state and wish to have an Illinois CCL, you will have to re-apply as a non-resident.

 

How Do I Renew My Concealed Carry Permit in Illinois?

Renewals are the responsibility of the licensee. Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022. The Illinois State Police will create a combined FOID and CCL, will notify a CCL holder 6 months prior to the expiration, that the CCL is going to expire and provide instructions for renewal. FOID and CCL renewal dates will be the same for a cardholder.A license is invalid upon expiration of the license, unless the licensee has submitted an application to renew the license, and the applicant is otherwise eligible to possess a license under this Act. A licensee is ineligible to renew their license outside of that timeframe and is required to take the 16-hour training course and submit a new application.

In addition, FOID card applicants will not be required to submit fingerprints, but if they do, or they share with the Illinois State Police the fingerprints they filed to receive their concealed carry license, they will be eligible for automatic renewal without a renewal fee, provided they purchased a gun sometime within the 10-year period between renewals and passed the ISP background check in the process. 

1

COMPLETE firearms training provided by an ISP-approved instructor.

2

LOGIN to the State Police firearms website and apply for a renewal of your license.

3

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

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