Getting a CCW in Virginia (2026)

Data verified 2026-10-13 · general legal information, not individualized advice · facts cite official sources (see verification dataset)

Requirements, costs, and steps for a Virginia concealed carry permit · Updated October 13, 2026 · Not legal advice

This guide is general legal information, not individualized legal advice. Rules change; verify every step with your circuit court clerk and the Virginia State Police (VSP) before you apply. Prepared 2026-10-13.

Quick facts

Drawn from the site's live reciprocity data (ccw.workmanfirearms.com/data/reciprocity.json, retrieved 2026-10-13):

• Permit type: Shall Issue — Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), issued by the circuit court.
• Constitutional carry: No — a CHP (or a statutory exception) is required to carry a concealed handgun in Virginia. Virginia does, however, honor valid out-of-state permits: a valid permit or license issued by another state authorizes the holder (at least 21) to carry concealed in Virginia, subject to statutory conditions (Va. Code § 18.2-308.014(A)).
• Minimum age: 21.
• Duty to inform: No proactive duty; you must disclose if asked (per the site's reciprocity data). Separately, a person carrying under a permit must have the permit on their person and must display the permit and a government-issued photo ID on demand of a law-enforcement officer (Va. Code § 18.2-308.01(A); VSP).
• Open carry: Allowed, per the site's reciprocity data.

Who can apply

Per the VSP Resident Concealed Handgun Permits page (accessed 2026-10-13), an applicant must be at least 21 and must not be disqualified under Va. Code § 18.2-308.09 — including, among others:

• Anyone otherwise ineligible to possess or transport a firearm (felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions, protective orders, substantial-risk orders, and related statutes);
• Anyone convicted of two or more misdemeanors within the five-year period preceding application if one was a Class 1 misdemeanor (the court has discretion to deny for two or more non-Class-1 misdemeanors; traffic infractions and reckless driving excluded) — § 18.2-308.09;
• See the VSP page's "Persons Not Qualified to Obtain a Permit" section for the complete list.

Step-by-step application process

Issuing authority: the clerk of the circuit court for the county or city in which you reside.

1. Obtain proof of handgun competency (see "Training requirement") — a certificate or similar document.
2. Complete the Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit Application (form SP-248), available from VSP and circuit court clerks.
3. Submit the application in person to your circuit court clerk with the competency documentation and the fee. If you choose to submit fingerprints, Code § 19.2-392 authorizes a fee of up to $10.00 for the first set (VSP).
4. Investigation: the court and local law enforcement conduct the background investigation.
5. Decision: the court shall issue the permit within 45 days of receipt of the completed application unless the applicant appears disqualified (§ 18.2-308.03; VSP). If the court has not issued the permit or found the applicant disqualified within 45 days, § 18.2-308.05 provides that the certified copy/receipt of the application serves as a "de facto permit" (expiring 90 days after issuance) — it must be carried on your person and displayed on demand, like the real permit.
6. Nonresidents may apply instead for a Virginia nonresident concealed handgun permit through the Virginia State Police.

Costs

From the VSP Resident Concealed Handgun Permits page (fees section, citing § 18.2-308.03; accessed 2026-10-13):

• Court processing fee: $10.00;
• Local law-enforcement investigation fee: up to $35.00;
• State Police processing fee: up to $5.00;
• Total capped at $50.00 for a new permit — and the same fee structure applies to renewals;
• Optional fingerprints: up to $10.00 for the first set (Code § 19.2-392, VSP);
• No fee for a qualifying retiree described in § 18.2-308.03(B);
• Training course cost: set by the provider — Virginia sets no fee.

Training requirement

Yes — you must demonstrate handgun competence under Va. Code § 18.2-308.02. Per the VSP page (accessed 2026-10-13), acceptable documentation includes:

• Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Wildlife Resources (or a similar agency of another state);
• Completing any National Rifle Association or United States Concealed Carry Association firearms safety or training course (Va. Code § 18.2-308.02(B)(2), current text);
• Completing any firearms safety/training course open to the public offered by a law-enforcement agency, institution of higher education, or public/private organization or training school using instructors certified by the National Rifle Association, the United States Concealed Carry Association, or the Department of Criminal Justice Services;
• Completing any law-enforcement firearms safety/training course for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or similar;
• Evidence of equivalent experience: participation in organized shooting competition, current military service, or proof of an honorable discharge (e.g., DD-214);
• Previously holding (or currently holding) a Virginia license to carry a firearm, unless revoked for cause;
• Completing any in-person course conducted by a state-certified, NRA-certified, or USCCA-certified instructor, any governmental police-agency firearms training with qualification, or any other firearms training the court deems adequate.

A photocopy of the certificate of completion (or an equivalent document) is sufficient evidence.

Timeline & renewal

• Processing: the court must issue the permit within 45 days of a completed application (VSP; § 18.2-308.03).
• Validity: the permit is valid for five years (§ 18.2-308.02(A)).
• Renewal: persons who previously held a Virginia resident permit are issued a new five-year permit upon application unless good cause is shown for refusal (§ 18.2-308.010). The same fees and 45-day timeline apply. Prior permit holders are not required to appear in person — renewals may be submitted by mail (VSP, citing § 18.2-308.010). If a new permit is issued while the old one is still valid, the new term starts when the old one expires, provided the application is received by the court at least 90 days but no more than 180 days before the existing permit expires (VSP, citing § 18.2-308.010).

Where to apply

• Clerk of the circuit court for your county/city of residence (in person; renewals may be mailed).
• Official information: https://vsp.virginia.gov/services/firearms/resident-concealed-handgun-permits/
• Nonresidents: https://vsp.virginia.gov/services/firearms/nonresident-concealed-handgun-permits/

Sources

• Va. Code § 18.2-308.01 (display duty), § 18.2-308.02 (application/competency list/5-year term), § 18.2-308.03 (fees), § 18.2-308.05 (de facto permit), § 18.2-308.09 (disqualifiers), § 18.2-308.010 (renewal), § 18.2-308.014 (reciprocity) — https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-308.02/ (and linked sections) (accessed 2026-10-13)
• Va. Code § 19.2-392 (fingerprint fee, first card ≤ $10) — https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/19.2-392/ (accessed 2026-10-13)
• Virginia State Police — Resident Concealed Handgun Permits (fees, 45-day issuance, competency list, renewal, display duty) — https://vsp.virginia.gov/services/firearms/resident-concealed-handgun-permits/ (accessed 2026-10-13)
• Virginia State Police — Forms and Applications (SP-248; fingerprint fee per § 19.2-392) — https://vsp.virginia.gov/services/forms/ (accessed 2026-10-13)
• Virginia State Police — Nonresident Concealed Handgun Permits — https://vsp.virginia.gov/services/firearms/nonresident-concealed-handgun-permits/ (accessed 2026-10-13)
• Site reciprocity data (Virginia entry) — https://ccw.workmanfirearms.com/data/reciprocity.json (retrieved 2026-10-13)