Getting a CCW in Louisiana (2026)

Requirements, costs, and steps for a Louisiana 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 Louisiana State Police (LSP) 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: Shall-issue — Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) under La. R.S. 40:1379.3, issued by the Louisiana State Police.
• Constitutional carry: Yes — since July 4, 2024 (SB 1, Act 2 of the 2024 Second Extraordinary Session), an eligible person 18+ who can lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit (La. R.S. 14:95, as amended). The CHP remains valuable for reciprocity and NICS-exempt purchases.
• Minimum age: 18 for permitless carry; 21 for the CHP (R.S. 40:1379.3(C)); federal law requires 21 to buy a handgun from an FFL.
• Duty to inform: Yes — a person carrying a handgun (permitted or not) must identify themselves as carrying upon official contact with law enforcement and must allow a pat-down and temporary disarm while the officer verifies status (La. R.S. 40:1379.3(I)(2); R.S. 14:95(M), accessed 2026-10-16).
• Open carry: Legal without a permit (subject to prohibited places and private-property rules).

Who can apply

Under La. R.S. 40:1379.3 (accessed 2026-10-16), an applicant must:

• Be a U.S. citizen (or lawful permanent resident per statute) and a Louisiana resident (non-residents eligible in some categories — see statute);
• Be at least 21 years old (La. R.S. 40:1379.3(C)(4) — flat 21 with no statutory age exception; the reduced fees for active-duty military are a fee discount, not an age exception);
• Not be disqualified under R.S. 40:1379.3(C) (felonies, certain misdemeanors within statutory look-backs, DUI within 5 years, drug offenses, mental-health commitments, protective orders, etc.);
• Complete the required training (below) and submit the application, fee, and fingerprints.

Step-by-step application process

Issuing authority: Louisiana State Police (Concealed Handgun Permit Unit).

1. Complete the 9-hour training course with an LSP-certified instructor; obtain the certificate.
2. Apply online through the LSP CHP portal (or by mail) with photo, certificate, and fee.
3. Get fingerprinted (electronic fingerprinting at an approved vendor).
4. LSP runs state and federal background checks.
5. Receive the permit (or denial with reasons; denials are appealable per statute).

Costs

From R.S. 40:1379.3 and the LSP CHP application (DPSSP 4645, rev. 1/2026) and LSP FAQ (accessed 2026-10-16):

• Resident 5-year permit: $125 (65+ or active-duty military: $62.50).
• Resident lifetime permit: $500 (65+ or active-duty military: $250) — lifetime holders complete recertification training every 5 years (R.S. 40:1379.3(V)(4)).
• Non-resident 5-year: $250; lifetime: $1,000 (discounts as above).
• 45-day temporary permit: $25 (balance due on approval).
• +$50 first-time fee for applicants who have not continuously resided in Louisiana for the 15 years preceding application.
• Fingerprints: vendor cost; training: set by the instructor.

Training requirement

Yes, for the CHP — a 9-hour course from an LSP-registered instructor (NRA- or POST-certified), covering (LAC 55:I.1311; R.S. 40:1379.3(D), accessed 2026-10-16):

• 1 hour: handgun nomenclature and safe handling (revolver and semi-auto);
• 1 hour: ammunition knowledge and shooting fundamentals;
• 3 hours: use of deadly force and conflict resolution (review of R.S. 14:18–14:22);
• 1 hour: handgun shooting positions;
• 1 hour: child access prevention;
• 2 hours: live range fire — 36 rounds total (12 each at 6, 10, and 15 feet), 100% hits within the silhouette of an NRA B-27 target, with at least one safe reload at each distance — plus handgun cleaning.

Military service (DD-214), active-duty qualification records, or a valid in-state license can satisfy the competence requirement. Permitless carry requires no training. Renewals require additional training completed within 1 year before the renewal application (LAC 55:I:1307.D; LSP FAQ).

Timeline & renewal

• Processing: LSP processes complete applications in roughly 60–90 days (R.S. 40:1379.3; LSP CHP FAQ).
• Validity: 5 years from issuance (R.S. 40:1379.3(H)(2), LSP FAQ).
• Renewal: LSP notifies permit holders ~120 days before expiration; renew online (chp.la.gov) with the renewal fee and the refresher training certificate; lifetime holders renew their 5-year training recertification only.

Where to apply

• LSP Concealed Handgun Permit Unit: https://www.lsp.org/ (CHP section)
• Online application: https://chp.la.gov/
• Statute text: La. R.S. 40:1379.3 — https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108725

Sources

• La. R.S. 40:1379.3 (CHP: eligibility, training, fees, terms), La. R.S. 14:95 as amended by SB 1 / Act 2 of the 2024 Second Extraordinary Session (permitless carry) — Louisiana Legislature, https://legis.la.gov/ (accessed 2026-10-16)
• LSP — Concealed Handgun Permit Unit (application, fees) — https://www.lsp.org/ (accessed 2026-10-16)
• Site reciprocity data — ccw.workmanfirearms.com/data/reciprocity.json (retrieved 2026-10-16)