Getting a CCW in Wisconsin (2026)

Requirements, costs, and steps for a Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) 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 — Wisconsin Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license under s. 175.60, Wis. Stats., issued by the Wisconsin DOJ (statewide; apply online or by mail).
• Constitutional carry: No. Concealed carry requires a CCW license. Open carry is legal without a permit for those who can lawfully possess a firearm.
• Minimum age: 21 (s. 175.60(3)(a) — under-21 individuals are disqualified).
• Duty to inform: No proactive duty, but a licensee must carry the license and display it, together with photo ID, upon request of a law enforcement officer (s. 175.60, Wis. Stats.).
• Open carry: Legal without a permit (subject to prohibited places and private-property rules).

Who can apply

Under s. 175.60(2), Wis. Stats., and DOJ guidance (accessed 2026-10-16), an applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years of age;
• Be a Wisconsin resident (non-residents who own land or property in Wisconsin may also apply) — non-resident applicants must include a copy of their valid out-of-state CCW license and proof of Wisconsin property ownership;
• Not be disqualified under s. 175.60(3) — under 21, prohibited under federal law (s. 175.60(3)(b)), or other statutory disqualifiers;
• Have completed firearms training (below);
• Provide a valid Wisconsin driver license/ID (or proof of property ownership for non-residents).

Step-by-step application process

Issuing authority: Wisconsin DOJ — applications are handled centrally (online is fastest).

1. Complete the training and obtain documentation (certificate, DD-214, hunting-education certificate, etc.).
2. Gather documents: valid WI driver license/ID or ID number; proof of property ownership (non-residents); training documentation.
3. Apply online through the DOJ CCW portal (or by mail with a paper application).
4. Pay the fee (credit card online).
5. DOJ runs state and federal background checks and issues or denies; denials include the reason and appeal rights.

Costs

From DOJ fee schedule (accessed 2026-10-16):

• New license: $40 (5-year license).
• Renewal: $22.
• Replacement (lost/damaged): $12.
• Training: set by the provider; free options exist (e.g., hunter education).

Training requirement

Yes — s. 175.60(2)(h), Wis. Stats. (accessed 2026-10-16) accepts any one of:

1. Firearms safety/training course offered by law enforcement, a government agency, the military, or a national/state firearms organization;
2. Hunter education/approved hunter safety course;
3. An instructor-certified course in firearms safety or training (NRA, DNR, DOJ-certified instructors, etc.);
4. Current/previous military service (DD-214 or similar showing firearms qualification, or active-duty service);
5. A valid (or expired but not revoked for more than 5 years) CCW license or equivalent from another state.

There is no mandated hour count or live-fire minimum — the statute accepts the qualifying documentation listed above.

Timeline & renewal

• Processing: DOJ has 21 days from receipt of a complete application to issue or deny (s. 175.60(3r)); online applications are commonly faster.
• Validity: 5 years from issuance (s. 175.60(15)(a), Wis. Stats.).
• Renewal: DOJ sends a renewal notice at least 90 days before expiration; renew online with the $22 fee before expiration (new term runs from the old expiration date) or within 90 days after expiration without starting over (§ 175.60; DOJ FAQ). No new training is required to renew.

Where to apply

• Wisconsin DOJ — Concealed Carry: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/concealed-carry (portal and forms)
• Online application portal: https://concealedcarry.wi.gov/ (DOJ-run)
• DOJ FAQ and fee schedule (linked from the page above).

Sources

• s. 175.60, Wis. Stats. (eligibility, training list, 21-day issuance, display duty, 5-year term) — Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/175/60 (accessed 2026-10-16)
• Wisconsin DOJ — Concealed Carry Weapon License (application, fees, FAQs) — https://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/concealed-carry (accessed 2026-10-16)
• Site reciprocity data — ccw.workmanfirearms.com/data/reciprocity.json (retrieved 2026-10-16)