How do I get a CCW in Nevada? A lawyer walks you through

Nevada residents can legally carry concealed firearms if they have a concealed carry firearm permit (CCW). Non-residents can also legally carry concealed firearms in Nevada if they have a license or permit from a state that Nevada recognizes. To get a CCW, you must:

1. Be at least 21 years old (18 if you are in the military),
2. Complete an approved firearm safety course, and
3. Demonstrate competence (qualify) with any handgun.

Carrying a concealed handgun without a permit is illegal throughout the state.

Nevada residents must apply for a CCW permit through their nearest sheriff’s office. Law enforcement may

• take six (6) months to process the application, and
• the permit remains valid for five (5) years.

In Las Vegas, applying for a CCW permit costs about $100.25.

In this article, our Las Vegas CCW attorneys answer frequently asked questions (faq) about obtaining a carrying concealed firearms permit in Nevada.

• 1. What is a “concealed firearm”?
• 2. Am I eligible for a concealed firearms permit in Nevada?
• 3. How much does a Nevada CCW permit cost?
• 4. How long does it take to get a CCW permit in Nevada?
• 5. How long is a Nevada CCW permit good for?
• 6. How do I apply for a concealed firearm permit in Nevada?
• 7. Is my out-of-state concealed weapon permit valid in Nevada?
• 8. What is the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit?

1. What is a “concealed firearm”?

A “concealed firearm” is a handgun (whether loaded or unloaded) carried upon a person in such a manner as not to be discernible by ordinary observation.¹ This includes handguns hidden inside an article of clothing or in a backpack, purse or other item you carry.

Carrying a concealed firearm without a permit is a felony in Nevada.

2. Am I eligible for a concealed firearms permit in Nevada?

You may obtain a concealed carry permit in Nevada if:

1. You are 21 years of age or older;
2. You are not prohibited from possessing a firearm under Nevada or federal law; and
3. You have documentation of successful completion of a firearm safety course from a local law enforcement agency, college, university or national organization that certifies instructors in firearm safety or another program approved a Nevada sheriff.

Your CCW application for a Nevada permit may be denied (or your existing permit revoked) if:

• You have an outstanding arrest warrant or bench warrant (even for a traffic violation);
• You have been judicially declared incompetent or insane;
• You have been voluntarily or involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility during the preceding five (5) years;
• You are a habitual user of alcohol and/or drugs to the extent that your normal faculties are impaired, which will be presumed if:
  • You have been convicted of DUI of alcohol and/or controlled substances during the previous five (5) years, or
  • You have been sentenced by a court to a program of treatment for the abuse of alcohol or drugs for a Nevada drug crime;
• You are a user of drugs prohibited under federal law (including medical marijuana);
• You have been convicted of a crime involving domestic violence or stalking, or you are currently subject to a restraining order, injunction or other order for protection against domestic violence;
• You have been convicted within the previous three (3) years of a misdemeanor crime involving the use or threatened use of force;
• You have a prior felony conviction (convicted felon), unless you have received a pardon that does not restrict your right to bear arms;
• You are currently on parole or probation;
• You are a fugitive from justice;
• You have been, within the preceding five (5) years, subject to a court-ordered restriction on firearm possession as a condition to the court withholding entry of judgment or suspending your sentence for a felony conviction;
• You have made a false statement on any application for a permit or for the renewal of a permit;
• You are in the United States unlawfully or have renounced your U.S. citizenship;
• You have been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; or
• The sheriff receives a detailed and reliable sworn affidavit from someone eighteen (18) or older that you have, or may have, committed an offense or engaged in activity that would make you ineligible for a concealed carry permit.

You are not entitled to a refund of your CCW permit application fee if you are denied. But you have the right to appeal a denial.

3. How much does a Nevada CCW permit cost?

The cost of a concealed carry permit depends on where in Nevada you are applying and whether you are seeking a new permit or renewal. In Las Vegas, the non-refundable application fees are:

• new application — $100.25 (includes the FBI background check)
• renewal application — $65.25
• late renewal application — $80.25
• name change — $25.00
• duplicate permit/address change — $15.00
• additional fingerprint cards: $17.00 (first card); $2.00 (each additional card)

This does not include the cost of any of the required firearms training courses or necessary documentation.

4. How long does it take to get a CCW permit in Nevada?

By law, Nevada law enforcement has 120 days for the processing of applications and issuance of CCW permits.³

If you are applying for a renewal permit, make sure to apply at least 120 days before the expiration of your current permit in order to avoid late fees. You may begin the renewal process at any time, but no credit will be provided for unused time.

Note that you are required to take a refresher firearm qualification course and resubmit a complete application packet in person to obtain a license renewal. Your renewal application will also require new photos and fingerprints.

5. How long is a Nevada CCW permit good for?

Nevada CCW permits remain valid for a period of five (5) years unless revoked.

6. How do I apply for a concealed firearm permit in Nevada?

Under state law, you can obtain a Nevada CCW permit application packet from your nearest sheriff’s or police station.

You will need to take a concealed firearms qualification course from a certified firearms instructor before you apply. Be sure your firearms instructor signs the certification form in the application packet. Some of these courses are:

• list of approved firearms courses in Clark County
• list of approved firearms courses in Washoe County

6.1. Las Vegas and Reno CCW application processes

In Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department issues CCW permits. You can obtain a Las Vegas CCW permit application online or from your nearest LVMPD substation.

(Reno residents can obtain their CCW permits from the Washoe County Sheriff. The application is online.)

Complete the application but do not sign the form until instructed to do so. Completed (but unsigned) applications with supporting documents must be turned in to the sheriff or police in person.

Residents of Clark County can submit their application to the Fingerprint Bureau of the LVMPD during normal business hours: Monday – Friday, excluding holidays, from 7:00 am – 6:00 pm.

The LVMPD’s fingerprint bureau is located at:

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Headquarters
400 South Martin Luther King Boulevard
Building C
Las Vegas, NV, 89106
(Corner of S. Martin Luther King Blvd & Alta Blvd)
Telephone: (702) 828-3271

In Reno and elsewhere in Washoe County, CCW applications are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at:

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office
911 Parr Blvd. Reno, NV 89512
Telephone: (775) 328-3001

You will need to bring the following with you:

• Your completed (unsigned) application;
• Your firearms course certification (signed by the instructor);
• Debit/credit cards, cash, money order or cashier’s check for the appropriate fee;
• Proof of residency (valid driver’s license); and
• If not born in the United States (whether or not a U.S. citizen at the time), proof of citizenship in the form of a:
  • naturalization certificate,
  • valid U.S. passport,
  • U.S. birth certificate, or
  • resident alien card

Photocopies will not be accepted.

Permittees are required to carry their CCW permit and proper identification whenever they possess a concealed firearm. If a peace officer requests, they must present their ID and CCW permit. Not doing either will subject them to a civil penalty of $25.⁴

7. Is my out-of-state concealed weapon permit valid in Nevada?

Nevada recognizes these states’ CCW permits for non-residents. The Nevada Department of Public Safety updates this reciprocity list every year. Out-of-state residents can also apply for a Nevada CCW permit as long as they take the safety course in Nevada.

If someone moves to Nevada with a reciprocal out-of-state CCW permit, they may use that permit for only the first sixty (60) days of living in-state. Afterward, they would need to get a new CCW permit issued from their local sheriff’s office in Nevada.⁵

Before using a Nevada CCW permit in another state, check with that state’s own department of public safety.

8. What is the penalty for carrying a concealed gun without a permit?

Carrying a concealed handgun in the state of Nevada without having a valid permit is a category C felony, carrying:

• one to five (1 – 5) years in Nevada State Prison, and
• maybe a fine of up to $10,000.⁶

Recall that a person with a valid state permit but forgetting to bring it while carrying a concealed firearm faces a $25 fine.

Note that certain locations are off-limits to firearms – such as childcare facilities – whether or not the person has a CCW permit. Many public buildings have metal detectors at the public entrances. Also, see our articles on open carry laws and gun laws.

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