To get an Arizona concealed weapons permit, you need proof that you have completed an approved firearms training course, and an Arizona concealed carry class is the route most civilian applicants use to satisfy that requirement. The class itself is only one piece; the permit comes from the Department of Public Safety after you submit the completion certificate along with fingerprints, an application, and a $60 fee. Arizona also allows permitless carry for eligible adults, so the class and permit are optional under state law, but they unlock reciprocity in other states and speed up firearm purchases from licensed dealers.
Check Your Eligibility Before You Pay for a Class
The minimum age to apply is 21. Applicants who are at least 19 can qualify earlier if they show proof of current military service or an honorable or general discharge.1Arizona Legislature. Arizona Code 13-3112 – Concealed Weapons Qualification Application Permit to Carry You also need to be a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen, have no felony convictions, and not be subject to any court order that prohibits you from possessing a firearm.
DPS runs prints through state and federal databases during processing, so disqualifying records that don’t turn up on a simple name check will surface later. If anything in your background is uncertain, call the Concealed Weapons Permit Unit before spending money on training.
Training Options That Satisfy Arizona’s Requirement
The statute lists eight separate ways to demonstrate firearms competence, so a formal concealed carry class is not the only path.1Arizona Legislature. Arizona Code 13-3112 – Concealed Weapons Qualification Application Permit to Carry The common qualifying routes are:
- A general firearms safety course open to the public that is either approved by DPS or taught by an NRA-certified instructor. Private training schools, community colleges, and shooting ranges around the state offer courses in this category.
- Any firearms safety or training course administered directly by the NRA, whether or not DPS has separately approved it.
- A hunter safety course approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Department or an equivalent agency in another state.
- Security guard, special deputy, or other law enforcement training approved by DPS.
- Military service, shown by a DD-214 with an honorable or general discharge, a basic training completion certificate, or proof of current active duty.
- A valid or expired concealed carry permit from another state, if that state required training or testing to issue it.
What a Typical Civilian Class Covers
Most civilian classes run four to eight hours. They cover safe handling, the mechanical operation of common handgun types, storage, and Arizona’s legal framework for using deadly force, including when physical force is justified to prevent serious injury or death and where carrying is restricted even with a permit. Some courses include live fire at the range. Arizona law does not set a specific round count or marksmanship score for the permit itself.
The Certificate You Walk Out With
At the end of an approved course, the instructor issues a certificate of completion. That certificate is what you submit with your application, so confirm it lists the instructor’s name and credentials and the date of the course. If you’re qualifying through military service instead, your DD-214 or proof of current service takes the certificate’s place.2Arizona Department of Public Safety. Concealed Weapons and Permits
Assembling and Submitting the Application
DPS accepts applications through its Public Services Portal or by mail.2Arizona Department of Public Safety. Concealed Weapons and Permits Online is faster and lets you pay electronically. Either way, the packet includes the same core pieces.
Fingerprints
Every applicant submits two fingerprint cards. A qualified fingerprint technician at a law enforcement agency or a private vendor completes them. All fields must be filled in, the prints must be legible, and both you and the technician must sign each card.3Arizona Department of Public Safety. Arizona Department of Public Safety Online CCW Application Smudged or incomplete cards are a common reason applications stall, so look them over before leaving the fingerprinting location. Online applicants may have the option to schedule a digital scan instead of using physical cards.
The Form Itself
The application asks for your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and Arizona residential address, and requires disclosure of criminal history and any mental health adjudications. Discrepancies between what you write and what DPS finds in its checks can trigger a denial, so accuracy on the form matters as much as the training.
Fee and Payment
The new-permit fee is $60. Mailed applications require a money order, cashier’s check, or certified check payable to AZ DPS. Personal checks, business checks, and cash are not accepted, and the wrong payment type causes the entire packet to be returned unprocessed.4Arizona Department of Public Safety. Arizona Department of Public Safety Concealed Weapons Permit New Application Packet Instructions
Send Copies, Not Originals
DPS accepts official copies of your supporting documents and specifically advises against sending originals, because they will not be returned.4Arizona Department of Public Safety. Arizona Department of Public Safety Concealed Weapons Permit New Application Packet Instructions Keep your DD-214, training certificate, and any out-of-state permit in your own records.
Timeline and Permit Validity
The statute gives DPS 60 days after receiving a complete application to finish the background qualification checks, then 15 working days after that to issue the permit.1Arizona Legislature. Arizona Code 13-3112 – Concealed Weapons Qualification Application Permit to Carry In practice, DPS asks applicants to wait 75 days before following up.2Arizona Department of Public Safety. Concealed Weapons and Permits Approved permits arrive by mail. Denials come with a written explanation of the legal basis and the right to appeal through an administrative hearing.
A permit is valid for five years from the date of issuance. Renewals go through the same online portal used for new applications. If a permit lapses before renewal is processed, you lose reciprocity in other states during the gap even though constitutional carry still covers you inside Arizona, so start the renewal well before the expiration date.
Why Get a Permit When Arizona Allows Permitless Carry
Constitutional carry only protects you inside Arizona. The moment you cross into a state that requires a permit, you need a credential from a state that has a reciprocity agreement with that jurisdiction. Arizona’s permit is recognized by a large number of states, which makes it practical for anyone who drives through the Southwest or travels regularly.
The permit also matters at the gun counter. Federal law requires licensed dealers to run a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System before transferring a firearm, and many states let a valid concealed carry permit serve as an alternative that speeds up the transaction. During a traffic stop or similar encounter, showing a permit signals to law enforcement that you have already passed a background check and completed formal training.
Places the Permit Does Not Cover
A permit is not a universal pass. Arizona restricts concealed carry at polling places on election day, schools and school grounds, commercial nuclear and hydroelectric generating stations, and military installations. Private property owners and businesses can post signs prohibiting firearms. Carrying into an establishment that serves alcohol is allowed only if you are not consuming alcohol yourself. Federal buildings, courthouses, and airports past security checkpoints are off-limits under federal law regardless of your state permit. Location-based violations can bring criminal charges, so knowing the prohibited places is as important as the training itself.