Non-California Residents CCW Applicants

Per the California Department of Justice Division of Law Enforcement, effective April 22, 2025, non‐California residents (aka out-of-state residents) who provide proof of membership in one of four enumerated organizations AND are otherwise not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or California law will be eligible to apply for CCW licenses. This is the result of a preliminary injunction issued by the United States District Court for the Central District of California on January 22, 2025 in California Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc., et al. v. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, et al., No. 2:23‐cv‐10169‐SPG ("the Order").

Under the Order, residents of U.S. states and territories other than California will be eligible to apply for a California CCW license under Penal Code sections 26150 through 26235 only if they are both: (1) members of (a) the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Incorporated, (b) Gun Owners of America, Inc., (c) Gun Owners of California, Inc., or (d) The Second Amendment Foundation; AND (2) not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or California law.

(1) members of:

(a) the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Incorporated,
(b) Gun Owners of America, Inc.,
(c) Gun Owners of California, Inc., or
(d) The Second Amendment Foundation;

AND

(2) not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or California law.

The following are commonly asked questions and next steps required to procure a CCW for out-of-state applicants, under the direction of the California Department of Justice Division of Law Enforcement.

How to Apply

Non-resident applicants must use the Standard Initial and Renewal Application for License to Carry a Weapon Capable of Being Concealed form (BOF 4012) or online application portals utilized by the licensing authorities that incorporate the BOF 4012. When completing the application, applicants may substitute their information in lieu of California specific information. For example, for the portion of the form that asks for a “CA Driver License No.,” non-resident applicants would instead provide the driver’s license number or identification number issued to them by their state of residence.

Under the Order, non-resident applicants must also provide proof of membership in one of the four organizations previously described and attest under oath that they intend to spend time within the subsequent 12 months within the jurisdiction to which they are applying. To meet these requirements, licensing authorities may use the Nonresident Standard Initial and Renewal Application for License to Carry a Weapon Capable of Being Concealed Supplemental form (BOF 4013). In the BOF 4013, the non-resident applicant must provide the driver’s license number or identification number issued to them by their state of residence, indicate which of the four organizations they are a member, provide proof of such membership, and attest under oath that they intend to spend time within the subsequent 12 months within the jurisdiction to which they are applying. Instead of the BOF 4013, licensing authorities may use another form developed by their agency so long as the form, like the BOF 4013, requests proof of membership and includes an attestation under oath as described at the beginning of this paragraph.

Identification Requirements

In connection with Penal Code section 26150, subdivision (a)(2) or section 26155, subdivision (a)(2), a non-resident applicant may present a valid driver’s license or valid identification card issued by their state of residence, in lieu of a valid California driver’s license or identification card.

If the driver’s license or identification card does not set forth the applicant’s current address, the applicant can—consistent with the policy for state resident applicants—submit other reliable documentation, including current utility bills, current out‐of‐state CCW license with a correct address, or other reasonable indicia of ongoing residency matching the address provided on the application.

Background Investigation and Interview

Applicants must submit to a background investigation to determine whether they are a prohibited or otherwise disqualified person for a CCW. As part of the background investigation, applicants must provide consent for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office to seek records from other law enforcement agencies which will be used to help determine whether a person is disqualified from obtaining a CCW permit.

Applicants must complete an interview with our Office, which may be done online. The applicant shall appear by video and audio. Applicants will be sent an email through Permitium and provided with a web link for the interview through Zoom.

REQUIRED FORM: RELEASE AND WAIVER - This form must be notarized and uploaded to Permitium.

Disqualified Person Determination Under Penal Code Section 26202

All California statutes and provisions of law set forth in Penal Code section 26202, subdivision (a) shall be construed to include comparable statutes and provisions of law of the Nonresident Applicant’s state of residence.

Applicants can complete the interview required by Penal Code section 26202, subdivision (b)(1) virtually in lieu of in person, so long as the applicant appears by video and audio.

Required Training Courses and Live‐Fire Shooting Exercises

Non-resident applicants must complete a training course that meets the criteria set forth in Penal Code section 26165, subdivision (a)(1)‐(3) and (5)‐(6), and subdivision (b).

Applicants must attend an online CCW course that meets State of California requirements. An online training that has been pre-approved by the Nevada County Sheriff's Office is available here.

For the live‐fire shooting exercises required by Penal Code section 26165, subdivision (a)(6), applicants must complete a live‐fire shooting exercise for each handgun they intend to carry in California. Applicants shall inform the licensing authority where the applicant applies of the live‐fire course the applicant intends to complete, and the licensing authority shall either approve such course or suggest an alternative acceptable course within 75 miles of the applicant’s residence.

Applicants must complete a live-fire course with a certified instructor who is certified in accordance with the following:

Certified pistol instructor through the US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
National Rifle Association (NRA) – Law Enforcement Instructor
National Rifle Association (NRA) – Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor. This instructor must also be both an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor and Personal Protection in the Home Instructor
A Law Enforcement POST-certified firearms instructor from your state.
California POST certified firearms instructor
BSIS / California Department of Consumer Affairs certified firearms instructor
Rangemaster certified instructor from a California accredited university
California POST Concealed Carry Tactics Instructor
California Highway Patrol (CHP) or California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Firearms Instructor, Weapons Instructor, or Rangemaster

Applicants must submit a copy of the firearm instructor’s certificate along with a signed letter indicating they passed the live-fire course for each firearm listed on their CCW permit. The letter shall be signed by the applicant and the instructor.

REQUIRED FORM: CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS TRAINING STANDARD

Psychological Exam

If a licensing authority has opted to require a psychological examination before issuing a CCW license, the licensing authority shall either conduct such examination virtually for a non-resident applicant, so long as the applicant appears by video and audio, or approve an examination provider located within 75 miles of the applicant’s residence.

At the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, applicants may be required to attend a psychological examination before being issued a CCW permit. This examination would be at the applicant’s expense.

Identifying Firearms for Which CCW License Will be Issued; Non-resident Applicant’s Responsibility to Carry Firearms Lawful in California

Penal Code section 26150, subdivision (a)(5), section 26155, subdivision (a)(5), and section 26162 will not apply to non-resident applicants. Rather, they must identify on the application by make, model, caliber, and serial number the handguns capable of being concealed upon the person that they intend to carry in California, and such handguns must be listed on the license to be validly carried in California.

Identification of a handgun that cannot lawfully be carried in California shall be cause for denial of a license as to that handgun. California licensing authorities may choose to request photos of the firearms to ensure that they may be lawfully carried in California (e.g., not an assault weapon under Penal Code sections 30510, 30515).

It shall be the responsibility of the applicant, if approved and issued a CCW license, to confirm that any handgun they carry in California, in its current configuration, is legal to possess in California. It shall also be the responsibility of the applicant to be aware of locations where it is not legal to carry a firearm in California. (See, e.g., Penal Code, § 26230; DLE Information Bulletin 2025‐DLE‐06, https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/2025‐dle‐06.pdf.)

Non-resident applicants may seek to amend the list of firearms identified on their licenses in the same manner as California residents.

Fingerprints for Nonresident Applicant

In addition to the means set forth in California Code of Regulations, title 11, section 4420, non-resident applicants may submit their fingerprints on an FBI Form FD‐258 fingerprint card to satisfy the requirements of Penal Code section 26185. If the applicant opts to use the FBI Form FD‐258, then they should do so as follows to help ensure timely processing of their fingerprints:

Non-resident applicants should seek out fingerprinting services in their area such as local law enforcement agencies or local live scan providers in the applicant’s state of residence as many of them may provide hard card fingerprinting. Each state may have different fingerprint providers. It is recommended the applicant seek out their state fingerprinting authority for a list of providers that provide hard card services.
Non-resident applicant’s local law enforcement agency will supply the FBI Form FD‐258 fingerprint card. The card must be on cardstock to avoid processing issues.
The non-resident applicant will complete each required field on the FBI Form FD‐258 by typing or legibly printing using blue or black ink. If the fields are not legible or not complete, the California licensing authority may reject the form.
The required fields for FBI Form FD‐258 are: Name, Originating Agency Identifier (ORI), Agency Name and Address, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Sex, Miscellaneous No. (must provide Driver’s License or Identification Number), Signature of Person Fingerprinted, Signature of Official Taking Fingerprints, date fingerprinted, reason fingerprinted (list CCW Applicant Type: Standard, Custodial, or Judicial and the type of license: Concealed Weapon License), and proper completion of fingerprint impression boxes.
Non-resident applicants will enter the ORI of the California licensing authority to which they intend to apply—not the local law enforcement agency taking their fingerprints. Nonresident Applicants should contact the California licensing authority for its ORI, Agency Name and Address to ensure background results are sent the appropriate agency.
Once complete, non-resident applicants must mail the completed FBI Form FD‐258 to the California licensing authority to which they intend to apply for its review. Pursuant to Penal Code section 26190, Nonresident Applicants must include the fees for the direct costs of furnishing the information and report required by Section 26185.
Once received, the California licensing authority should review the FBI Form FD‐258 to ensure that it is legible and complete to prevent processing delays.
If not obtained in another manner, the California licensing authority should maintain a scan of the right thumbprint on the FBI Form FD‐258 and ensure that it is of sufficient resolution to comply with California Code of Regulations, title 11, section 4402.
An FBI Form FD‐258 determined to be accurate and complete by the California licensing authority must be sent along with the appropriate fees or Applicant Transmittal Form (JUS 204) to: California Department of Justice Prescan Unit, K‐111 PO Box 903417 Sacramento, CA 94203‐4170.
If the fingerprints are accepted, then the responses described in Penal Code section 26185 will be forwarded to the California licensing authority via Applicant Agency Justice Connection. Any incomplete or illegible FBI Form FD‐258 will be returned.
Non-resident applicants currently in California should have their fingerprints rolled by a certified fingerprint roller or qualified law enforcement personnel. The applicant must complete a BCIA 8016, REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE form and take the completed form to a live scan operator to initiate the background check process. Please refer to the Attorney General’s website for live scan locations.

REQUIRED: FBI FORM FD-258

EXAMPLE FD-258 FORM (includes Nevada County Sheriff's Office information; applicant must include all of their applicable information)

Issuance of CCW License and Submission of BOF 4501 to the Department of Justice

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office must use the current version of the BOF 4501 to issue CCW licenses to non-resident applicants, which must include a picture of the licensee, the licensee’s fingerprint, and the other license criteria as required by Penal Code section 26175, subdivision (i). This form can be accessed on the California Law Enforcement Web at https://clew.doj.ca.gov/forms.

Upon issuance of a non-resident applicant’s CCW license, the license shall be mailed to the address provided in the application.

Additionally, the requirements of Penal Code section 26225, subdivision (b) and California Code of Regulations, title 11, section 4432 apply to any issuance, amendment, denial, or revocation of a CCW license for a non-resident applicant.

Commonly Asked Questions

Who Can Apply for Non-California Resident CCWs in California?

Residents of U.S. states and territories who provide proof of membership in the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Incorporated; Gun Owners of America, Inc.; Gun Owners of California, Inc.; or The Second Amendment Foundation who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or California law are entitled to apply for a CCW license with a licensing authority in California.

Non-resident applicants must provide proof of membership in one of the four organizations previously described to the licensing authority upon applying.

What Types of CCWs Can A Non-California Resident Apply for?

Nonresident Applicants can apply for a CCW license as provided for under Penal Code sections 26150 through 26235. However, Nonresident Applicants are not eligible for licenses described in Penal Code sections 26150, subdivision (b)(2) or 26155, subdivision (b)(2) (loaded, open carry in a county with less than 200,000 residents) and 26170 (reserve/auxiliary peace officer licenses).

Therefore, Nonresident Applicants may apply only for the following CCW license types: Standard (Penal Code, §§ 26150, subd. (b)(1), 26155, subd. (b)(1)), Custodial (Penal Code, § 26220, subd. (d)), or Judicial (Penal Code, § 26220, subd. (c)). Each license type will be valid for the period of time and subject to the geographical restrictions (if any) corresponding with that type of license as outlined in Penal Code section 26220. The Order does not impose any unique limitations to a Standard, Custodial, or Judicial license type because of an applicant’s status as a non-resident applicant.

Which Licensing Authority Must a Non-resident Applicant Apply to?

Penal Code section 26150, subdivision (a)(3) and section 26155, subdivision (a)(3) will not apply to non-resident applicants. Rather, non-resident applicants must apply with the sheriff (per Penal Code section 26150) or chief of police (per Penal Code section 26155) of a California jurisdiction in which they intend to spend time within the subsequent 12 months and attest to that intention under oath (see the next section for how this attestation can be made).