Getting a CCW in Kentucky (2026)

Requirements, costs, and steps for a Kentucky concealed carry permit · Updated October 18, 2026 · Not legal advice

This guide is general legal information, not individualized legal advice. Rules change; verify every step with the Kentucky State Police (KSP) and your county sheriff before you apply. Prepared 2026-10-16.

Quick facts

Drawn from the site's live reciprocity data (ccw.workmanfirearms.com/data/reciprocity.json, retrieved 2026-10-16):

• Permit type: Optional Carry of a Concealed Deadly Weapon License (CCDW) under KRS 237.110, processed through KSP (apply via the county sheriff). A provisional CCDW license for ages 18–20 (House Bill 312, 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 173, codified at KRS 237.118) took effect July 15, 2026 — the normal effective date for 2026 Regular Session acts without an emergency clause (OAG 26-03; HB 312 was enacted by veto override on April 14, 2026). KSP's CCDW page states July 14, 2026; the LRC effective-dates table and OAG 26-03 control.
• Constitutional carry: Yes — since June 27, 2019 (SB 150), a person 21+ who can lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed without a license (KRS 237.109). The CCDW license remains valuable for reciprocity and NICS-exempt purchases.
• Minimum age: 21 for standard permitless carry and the standard CCDW license (KRS 237.109, 237.110); 18–20 may obtain the provisional CCDW license under HB 312 (eff. July 15, 2026). Federal law requires 21 to buy a handgun from an FFL.
• Duty to inform: No proactive duty; a licensee must exhibit the license (and ID) upon request of a peace officer; failure is a noncriminal $25 fine (KRS 237.110(15)).
• Open carry: Legal without a permit (subject to prohibited places and private-property rules).

Who can apply

Under KRS 237.110 (accessed 2026-10-16), KSP shall issue to an applicant who:

• Is a Kentucky resident at least 21 years old (KRS 237.110); the provisional license covers ages 18–20 (2026 Ky. Acts ch. 173);
• Is not disqualified under KRS 237.110(3) — felony convictions, certain misdemeanors within look-back windows, drug/alcohol dependence, involuntary commitments, protective orders, dishonorable discharge, etc.;
• Is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
• Submits the completed application (notarized), photo, and fee — no training requirement since 2019.

Step-by-step application process

Issuing authority: Kentucky State Police (applications via county sheriff).

1. Complete the application (available from the sheriff or KSP) — notarized affirmation of eligibility.
2. Bring a passport-quality photo and the fee to your county sheriff (fingerprints are taken as part of the process, typically at the sheriff's office).
3. The sheriff forwards the application to KSP.
4. KSP runs the background check and issues or denies (denials include the reason; appealable in Franklin Circuit Court).
5. Pick up the license at the sheriff's office after the background check (approximately 3–6 weeks) — KSP does not mail permits; the notification tells you when the license is available at your county sheriff (KSP/DOCJT, accessed 2026-10-16).

Costs

From KSP CCDW fee schedule (accessed 2026-10-16):

• New license: $60 total — $20 paid to the sheriff (often includes the photo) + $40 check/money order to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Online applications via ksprecords.ky.gov cost $70 ($50 KSP + $20 sheriff) per DOCJT.
• Renewal: $60 total ($20 sheriff + $40 treasurer — $55 to the treasurer if applying after expiration).
• Replacement (lost/damaged): $15 to KSP.
• Training: none required — Kentucky has no training requirement for the standard CCDW license (2019 law removed it).

Training requirement

None for the standard license. Kentucky abolished the CCDW training/class requirement in 2019 (KRS 237.110 as amended) — there is no statutory training or live-fire prerequisite (KSP CCDW FAQ, accessed 2026-10-16). Check with your sheriff for any provisional (18–20) license training conditions under HB 312.

Timeline & renewal

• Processing: background check runs approximately 3–6 weeks (KSP/DOCJT); KSP has up to 90 days from application to issue or deny (KRS 237.110 — statutory window).
• Validity: 5 years from issuance (KRS 237.110(5)). A license not renewed within 6 months after expiration permanently expires and requires reapplying (KSP).
• Renewal: renew through the sheriff (or online) 90 days before or any time within 6 months after expiration (late renewal costs $55 to the treasurer instead of $40); an expired license cannot be used for the NICS exemption.

Where to apply

• Kentucky State Police — CCDW: https://kentuckystatepolice.org/ccdw/
• Your county sheriff's office (application intake).
• Statute text: KRS Chapter 237 — https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=38732

Sources

• KRS § 237.109 (permitless carry, 2019), § 237.110 (CCDW license: eligibility, fees, 5-year term, display duty) — Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/ (accessed 2026-10-16)
• KSP — Concealed Deadly Weapons License (application & fee schedule) — https://kentuckystatepolice.org/ccdw/ (accessed 2026-10-16)
• 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 173 (HB 312, provisional licenses; codified KRS 237.118; veto overridden April 14, 2026) — https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/acts/26RS/documents/0173.pdf (accessed 2026-10-16; re-fetched 2026-10-17); LRC — Normal Effective Dates (2026 Regular Session: July 15, 2026, per OAG 26-03) — https://legislature.ky.gov/Law/Statutes/Pages/KrsEffDates.aspx (accessed 2026-10-16)
• Site reciprocity data — ccw.workmanfirearms.com/data/reciprocity.json (retrieved 2026-10-16)