Resources: Concealed and Open Carry Law

California CCW Resources

 
California law generally requires a license to carry a concealed firearm in public. These licenses are commonly referred to as CCW licenses or CCW permits.

This page collects commonly used forms, government guidance, and other resources for individuals applying for, renewing, or maintaining a California CCW license.

Because California public-carry laws continue to change through legislation, regulation, and litigation, applicants and license holders should confirm current requirements before relying on older materials.

California CCW Application

California uses a statewide standard application for initial and renewal CCW licenses.

Standard Initial and Renewal Application for License to Carry a Weapon Capable of Being Concealed — BOF 4012

[Link to current California DOJ BOF 4012 form]

California law requires licensing authorities to use the statewide application. Applicants should carefully review the current form and answer all questions completely and accurately.

The California Department of Justice periodically revises the application and related requirements, so this page should link to the current DOJ-hosted version rather than maintain an outdated local copy.

California Department of Justice CCW Information

The California Department of Justice maintains official forms, regulations, information bulletins, and guidance concerning CCW licensing.

California DOJ Firearms Forms and Publications

[Link to California DOJ Firearms Forms page]

California DOJ CCW Regulations

[Link to California DOJ Carry Concealed Weapons Licenses regulations page]

California DOJ Firearms Information Bulletins

[Link to California DOJ Information Bulletins page]

Applicants and license holders should also review the requirements published by the licensing authority processing their application.

Who Issues California CCW Licenses?

California CCW licenses are generally issued by county sheriffs and authorized municipal police departments.

Applicants should consult the licensing authority responsible for the jurisdiction in which they are eligible to apply.

Local agencies commonly publish information concerning:

  • application procedures;
  • appointments and processing;
  • fees;
  • fingerprinting and background checks;
  • required training;
  • firearm qualification;
  • renewals; and
  • local administrative procedures.

California law has also changed to permit qualifying nonresidents to apply for California CCW licenses under specified circumstances. Applicants relying on nonresident eligibility should review the current statutes and California DOJ guidance.

CCW Eligibility and Disqualification

California law establishes statutory qualifications for issuance of a CCW license and identifies circumstances that may disqualify an applicant.

These requirements include matters involving age, training, firearm ownership or identification, criminal history, restraining orders, substance-use restrictions, and other statutory disqualification criteria.

Because these standards have changed in recent years, applicants should rely on current California statutes, the current BOF 4012 application, and current DOJ guidance rather than older summaries of California CCW law.

CCW Training Requirements

California requires applicants to complete specified firearms training before an initial CCW license or renewal may be issued.

Applicants should confirm current requirements concerning:

  • required training hours;
  • initial versus renewal training;
  • instructor certification;
  • live-fire exercises;
  • firearm qualification;
  • safe handling;
  • applicable California law; and
  • any additional lawful procedures imposed by the licensing authority.

The California Department of Justice regulates certification of CCW instructors and maintains information concerning the applicable training framework.

Renewal Requirements

California imposes separate requirements for CCW renewals.

Effective September 1, 2026, California law added additional renewal-processing requirements involving fingerprint submissions and enrollment in federal Rap Back services.

License holders should begin the renewal process sufficiently early to comply with current state and local requirements and should review current DOJ guidance before submitting a renewal application.

If a CCW Application Is Denied or a License Is Revoked

California law provides specific standards governing CCW denials, disqualification determinations, and revocations.

A denial or revocation may involve questions concerning statutory eligibility, criminal or background information, licensing procedures, or the interpretation of California law.

Individuals facing a denial or revocation should preserve all correspondence, notices, application materials, and supporting documents received from the licensing authority.

For information about legal representation concerning CCW denials, revocations, licensing disputes, or public-carry restrictions, see our:

Firearms Law and Second Amendment Advocacy

Where Can a California CCW Holder Carry?

A valid California CCW license does not authorize firearm possession in every location.

California law prohibits or restricts firearm possession in various places, including locations designated as “sensitive places.” Some of these restrictions have been the subject of ongoing constitutional litigation.

Because the law governing public carry continues to change, license holders should confirm the current law before carrying in locations where restrictions may apply.

Future resource materials on this site should separately address sensitive-place restrictions and other location-specific carry rules.

CRPA CCW Resources

Michel & Associates works closely with the California Rifle & Pistol Association on education, litigation, and legal developments involving California public-carry laws.

Additional resources are available through CRPA:

CCW Issues in California
https://crpa.org/ccw-issues-in-california/

CCW Permit Resources
https://crpa.org/ccw-permit-resources/

Current CCW Litigation and Legal Updates
https://crpa.org/?s=ccw

Additional CCW Resources

This section will be expanded with separate resource pages addressing topics such as:

  • how to apply for a California CCW license;
  • California CCW training requirements;
  • CCW denials and revocations;
  • sensitive-place restrictions;
  • nonresident CCW applications;
  • renewal requirements;
  • interstate recognition and reciprocity issues; and
  • current public-carry litigation.

For broader information concerning the firm’s firearms-law practice, constitutional litigation, CCW representation, regulatory matters, and public-carry issues, visit:

Firearms Law and Second Amendment Advocacy

These materials are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. California firearm laws change frequently. Applicants and license holders should confirm current statutes, regulations, court decisions, and licensing-authority requirements before acting.