Complete your Florida Concealed Carry Permit application in 15 minutes

So, you want to get your gun license in Florida? We always keep things simple in National Safety Center. There are so many articles and websites that offer obsolete information or are just too confusing. While Florida rejection rate increased by almost 4,000% in the past 12 months, submitting a concealed carry permit application in FL is actually very straightforward.

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How to submit a CCW application in Florida

Florida Department of Agriculture and consumer services is responsible for issuing Concealed Carry Permit in FL.
All you need to do is follow the recommended steps below and you should get your Concealed Carry permit in no time. Note that while most people use the term Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW), Florida refers to this as CWL (Concealed Weapon License).

We included common questions and answers below. In reality, you don’t have to read them all. Just follow the simple steps below.

Note: Payments are not refundable if you are determined to be ineligible for a Florida Concealed Weapon.
Use the following link to review license eligibility requirements.

Apply for concealed Weapon License using the online or in person application

We strongly recommend that you DO NOT use the MAIL application for concealed Weapon License.

Have a digital copy of the following items ready to upload during the application process:

• Certificate of completion from a firearms training class. Training MUST include live fire using a firearm and ammunition. If you completed your training with National Safety Center, you are all good to go.
• Digital Passport-style photo (make sure to follow the photo guidelines provided below).

Start your online application for concealed carry license by clicking on the button below.

A 7 step Concealed Weapon License wizard will open.

Just follow the steps and you should be good to go.

Step 1 of the CWL application is where you fill your information

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services denied about 10% of applications, most due to incomplete documentation.
Take your time and submit a complete application

Section I is Applicant information

Take your time and double check the information you entered. Small mistakes can lead to rejection of your application.

Section II is where you answer all questions to assure that you indeed qualify for a Weapon License

Don’t rush through the questions. Double check yourself.

Section III of the CWL application is a quick oath and affirmation.

Click on the Affirm and Complete button.

DON’T click on the Home button or you will lose all your work.

Florida Weapon License Application Confirmation

After clicking the Affirm and Complete, you will be assigned with a tracking number. Keep this number as you will use it later to track the status of your application.

NOTE – YOU ARE NOT DONE YET. 

The Pring Application button is confusing and leads some applicants to assume that they are done. You must click Next and advance to the next step.

NOTE – YOU ARE NOT DONE YET

Step 2. Upload photo to be used on your Concealed Firearm License

Click Next and upload your photo

Step 3. Upload your Firearms Training completion certificate

Click Next and upload your certificate

Step 4. Upload supporing documents as part of the Concealed Weapon License applicaiton.

Most people don’t need to upload anything here.

Upload any supporting documents such as Naturalization (if you were not born in the US), legal resident or honorable discharge from the military

Step 5. Fingerprinting Instructions for CCW

We strongly recommend that you have your fingerprints taken at a place that offers digital fingerprinting service.

We found that the easiest place in our area is Altamonte Police Department. You can easily schedule an appointment using their COPS system.

All you need to do is bring the printout of the completed application and make sure they use your reference number (starts with T and will be shown at the top of the confirmation page you get here). They will know what to do with it.

Steps 6 and 7. Payment and confirmation

Self explanitory. Make a payment and pringsave your application confirmation. 

Get your fingerprinting done as soon as possible

Your application will start processing as soon as your fingerprints are received.

You will get a fingerprinting confirmation form with a TCN number at the top left.

Go to FDLE website and complete the payment for fingerprinting

Your TCN is the number that starts with 70 at the top left.

Your application will be rejected if you don’t complete the payment within 30 days.

What happens after you submit your Concealed Carry Application?

Your application will start processing as soon as your fingerprints are received.

Processing can take as long as 90 days. You should receive your license by mail within that timeframe. 

You can always track the status of your concealed carry permit application here.

Questions and Answers from our experts on firearms in Florida

Who can apply for a Concealed Weapon Permit in Florida

Any resident of the United States, 21 years of age or older, and a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien of the United States that is not ineligible due to several reasons as provided below. 

What are possible reasons for Concealed Carry License ineligibility?

• The physical inability to handle a firearm safely.
• A felony conviction (unless civil and firearm rights have been restored by the convicting authority).
• Having adjudication withheld or sentence suspended on a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence unless three years have elapsed since probation or other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled.
• A conviction for a misdemeanor crime of violence in the last three years.
• A conviction for violation of controlled substance laws or multiple arrests for such offenses.
• A record of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Two or more DUI convictions within the previous three years.
• Being committed to a mental institution or adjudged incompetent or mentally defective.
• Failing to provide proof of proficiency with a firearm.
• Having been issued a domestic violence injunction or an injunction against repeat violence that is currently in force.
• Renouncement of U.S. citizenship.
• A dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
• Being a fugitive from justice.

Can I check eligibility for a Concealed Carry License before the actual submission?

Yes, you can use the following Firearm License Preliminary Eligibility questioner in order to confirm that you are indeed eligible to possess a firearm.

https://licensing.freshfromflorida.com//firearms/prequal_questions.aspx

Do I need to own a firearm in order to apply for a Concealed Weapon License

No, you don’t need to own a firearm in order to apply for a Concealed Weapon License in Florida.

Do I need a license in order to buy a firearm in Florida?

You don’t need a license in order buy a firearm. If buying from a licensed firearm dealer, the dealer will obtain an approval from Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). You will need to wait 3 days before picking your firearm (Cooldown period). The Cooldown period does not apply if you already have a concealed weapon license. 

How to Take a Passport Style Photo

Step 1: Prepare for the picture

Find a white or cream-colored background, like a wall or poster board. Make sure there’s plenty of light so that there aren’t any shadows or glare on your face or around your head and body. This could mean getting near natural daylight, or turning on/off household lights.

Step 2: Appearance guidelines

Wear your everyday clothing and hairstyle. Uniforms and costumes are unacceptable, unless they’re worn daily for religious reasons. If your photo includes garments or head coverings worn for religious purposes, a written statement to that effect will be required and may be uploaded in the supporting documents section.

Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.

If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device or similar articles, they may be worn for your photo. Glare on glasses is not acceptable in your photo.

Pose with a neutral facial expression and both eyes open.

Step 3: Shoot, edit, save

Frame the shot, allowing plenty of headroom and room around your arms. You should be cropped out just below the shoulders. It’s better to be too zoomed out than too zoomed in, since you’ll be able to crop later.

Snap a few shots and transfer your photos to your computer. Cropping and Sizing Tools can be used to crop a photo and adjust the photo size.

Do you have to live in Florida to apply for a Florida Weapons Permit

NO, anyone living in the United States can apply. You must be a U.S. citizen OR legal resident alien residing in the United States OR Active-Duty Military residing abroad.

Can I take an online firearms or online gun class in Florida

We offer online pistol classes for the theoretical part of the class. We will still need to meet at the range for a short practical session.  Our online gun class can be a virtual instructor led session or a self paced pistol online training.