How To Get Your North Dakota 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 North Dakota's concealed carry laws. Applying for a CWL varies by state.
Read about the process for getting a North Dakota Concealed Weapon License below.
Steps To Get A North Dakota Concealed Carry Permit
COMPLETE required training.
All new applicants must complete the required training before applying. Contact a test administrator to schedule your training and testing. Check with the test administrator before completing the application. Many test administrators provide a computer and printer at the training site for this purpose.
CLASS 1 OR CLASS 2 LICENSE
- Complete the online application. You will need a printer. The last step of the online application process generates a form that you are required to print.
- Download the application, complete it and print out a copy to mail in.
- Complete it at the testing site, if available.
MAKE an appointment with a test administrator and take a copy of the printed application to the testing appointment. The test administrator may charge up to $50 (plus range fees, if applicable). All first-time applicants must pass a written, open-book test based on the Concealed Weapon License Manual.
All testing must take place within the state of North Dakota and cannot be held in conjunction with testing for any other state. The application must be submitted to the BCI within 30 days of the testing date.
CLASS 1 LICENSE
Applicants for a Class 1 license will also need to complete classroom instruction, demonstrate familiarity with the weapon and successfully complete a firearms proficiency shooting test.
GATHER the following required documents and submit them to the BCI within 30 days of the testing date. (Applications submitted more than 30 days after the testing date are invalid and cannot be processed.)
- Cashier’s check or money order for $60 payable to “North Dakota Attorney General”
- Photocopy of a driver’s license or state ID
- Two official color passport photos
- Two fingerprint cards (for new applicants)
NON-RESIDENTS
must include a copy of a valid concealed carry license from your home state of residence. (You are a resident of whichever state issued your driver’s license.) If your state does not have reciprocity with North Dakota, you are not eligible for a North Dakota license.
Non-resident active-duty military must include a copy of your PCS orders to North Dakota.
Applicants born outside of the U.S. must be a legal resident of the U.S. If you were born outside the U.S. or its territories, attach a copy of your U.S.-issued born abroad birth certificate or the alien registration/INS registration documentation or a naturalization certificate or a valid U.S. passport.
Mail the completed application and all required documents to:
Bureau of Criminal Investigation – Concealed Weapon License
P.O. Box 1054
Bismarck, North Dakota 58502
The BCI does not accept applications submitted by fax, email or hand delivery.
CHECK YOUR MAILBOX
You will be notified if your application has been approved.
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What Are the Firearms Training Requirements in North Dakota?
Applicants must successfully complete a testing procedure conducted by a certified test administrator. An applicant must be 21 years of age for a Class 1 license and at least 18 years of age for a Class 2 license. An applicant for a Class 1 license and Class 1 license renewal must:
- Participate in classroom instruction that sets forth weapon safety rules and the deadly force law of North Dakota
- Complete an open-book test based upon a manual
- Demonstrate familiarity with a firearm or dangerous weapon through certification by a certified instructor, participation in an organized shooting competition or dangerous weapon course of training, or possession of a license from another state, or evidence of weapons experience during military service
- Complete an actual shooting or certified proficiency exercise
An applicant for a Class 2 license is required to successfully complete the open-book test offered for the Class 1 license but not a live-fire component.
All testing must take place within the state of North Dakota and cannot be held in conjunction with testing for any other state.
What Are the North Dakota License to Carry a Handgun Requirements?
An applicant must
- Be at least age 18 for a Class 2 license; age 21 for a Class 1 license;
- Be a resident of North Dakota; OR on full-time active military duty stationed in ND; OR a resident of a state that has reciprocity with North Dakota and who possesses a valid concealed weapon license in their home state;
- Have successfully completed the training requirements;
- Not be an individual specified in section 62.1-02-01 and for a class 1 firearm license the applicant must:
- Not have been convicted of a felony;
- Not have been convicted of a crime of violence;
- Not have been convicted of an offense involving the use of alcohol within 3 years prior to the date of application;
- Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving the unlawful use ofnarcotics or other controlled substances within 10 years prior to the date ofapplication;
- Not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude;
- Not have been convicted of an offense involving domestic violence;
- Not have been adjudicated by a state or federal court as mentally incompetent,unless the adjudication has been withdrawn or reversed; and
- Be qualified to purchase and possess a firearm under federal law; and
- Satisfactorily complete the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) application form and successfully pass the criminal history records check conducted by the BCI and FBI. This includes information on any court-ordered treatment or commitment for mental health, alcohol or substance abuse.The applicant shall provide the director of the BCI written authorizations for disclosure of the applicant's mental health and alcohol or substance abuse evaluation and treatment records. The bureau may deny approval for a license if the bureau has reasonable cause to believe that the applicant or licensee has been or is a danger to self or others as demonstrated by evidence, including past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence; past participation in incidents involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence; or conviction of a weapons offense. In determining whether the applicant or licensee has been or is a danger to self or others, the bureau may inspect expunged or sealed records of arrests and convictions of adults and juvenile court records.
*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 North Dakota.
What are the Fees and Terms?
$60 for Initial License
$60 for Permit Renewals
Valid for Five Years from Date of Issue
60 Day Processing
Where Can I Find Application Forms?
What Concealed Carry Permit Options Exist Based on Residency?
Non-Resident Concealed Carry Licenses:
North Dakota issues licenses to full-time active military duty stationed in ND and residents of states which have reciprocity with North Dakota, provided the individual possesses a valid concealed carry permit from that state. However, all testing must take place within the state of ND and cannot be held in conjunction with testing for any other state. The application must be submitted to the BCI within 30 days of the testing date.
Residency Changes:
Moving to North Dakota and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?North Dakota issues licenses to residents, full-time active military duty stationed in the state and to concealed carry permit holders of states which have reciprocity with North Dakota. You can apply for your license at any time. In order to apply for a resident license, you may need to provide a North Dakota driver's license or state ID.
Moving from North Dakota and have a North Dakota resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your North Dakota license remains valid?If a person with a North Dakota concealed weapon license establishes residency in another state, the license is valid until it expires provided the individual notifies the BCI of a change of address.
How Do I Renew My Concealed Carry Permit in North Dakota?
CHECK YOUR MAILBOX
The BCI will send a renewal reminder to the last address we have on file. You may begin the renewal process up to 180 days prior to the license expiration date through the expiration date. A renewal application must be postmarked on or before the license expiration date.
REVIEW LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
To renew a Class 1 license, you will need to complete the full testing process, just as you did for your initial license.
You can “downgrade” to a class 2 license and avoid having to retest by indicating on the application that you would like a class 2 license. You do not have to retest to renew a class 2 license.
To "upgrade" an expiring Class 2 license to a Class 1 license, you must complete the application process for a Class 1 license including the required testing, documents and fees.
CLASS 1 LICENSE
Make an appointment with a test administrator and take a copy of the printed application to the testing appointment.
Applicants for a Class 1 license that had a Class 2 license will also need to complete classroom instruction, demonstrate familiarity with the weapon, and successfully complete a firearms proficiency shooting test.
COMPLETE the online application.
CHECK YOUR MAILBOX
You will be notified if your application has been approved.
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Make sure you understand North Dakota Gun Laws and North Dakota concealed carry reciprocity with other states.