Concealed Weapons License FAQs
The Attorney General’s Office receives a number of inquiries concerning Idaho law on concealed weapons licenses. Therefore, we have developed a list of the most frequently asked questions and provided answers for your convenience.
- May I carry a weapon on my person in Idaho?
- How do I obtain a concealed weapons license in Idaho?
- Do I have to take any classes to obtain a concealed weapons license in Idaho?
- Do I have to take a test in order to obtain a concealed weapons license?
- Am I eligible to carry a concealed weapon if I have been convicted of a misdemeanor? Felony? Traffic infraction?
- How much does a concealed weapons license cost in Idaho?
- How long is the concealed weapons license valid?
- Can a concealed weapons license be denied or revoked?
- Are there places where I cannot carry a concealed weapon even with a license?
- Does Idaho recognize concealed weapons licenses from other states?
- Does Idaho allow retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed weapon?
- Does Idaho have reciprocity agreements with any other states? If so what states?
- May I carry a firearm in my vehicle without a concealed weapons license?
- Does a concealed weapons license apply only to concealed firearms?
- May I carry a concealed weapon in private businesses that are open to the public?
May I carry a weapon on my person in Idaho?
Yes, you may carry a weapon on your person in Idaho as long as the weapon is clearly visible. You may not carry a concealed weapon unless you have a concealed weapons license.
How do I obtain a concealed weapons license in Idaho?
You apply to a county sheriff for a license.
Do I have to take any classes to obtain a concealed weapons license in Idaho?
You may demonstrate familiarity with the firearm. Usually, one of the following courses is required:
- A hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game or a similar agency of another state;
- A National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course or any National Rifle Association hunter education course;
- A firearms safety or training course or class offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, college, university, or private or public school or firearms training school. You may wish to utilize instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Idaho State Police;
- A law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, law enforcement agencies or security enforcement agencies.
A county sheriff may grant you a license without completing one of the courses if:
- You present evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through your participation in an organized shooting competition or military service; or
- You are licensed or have been licensed to carry a firearm in Idaho or an Idaho county or city, unless the license has been revoked for cause.
Do I have to take a test in order to obtain a concealed weapons license?
No, you do not have to take a test. However, you must meet the requirements described in the answer above.
Am I eligible to carry a concealed weapon if I have been convicted of a misdemeanor? Felony? Traffic infraction?
You may not be eligible to obtain a concealed weapons license if you have been convicted of certain crimes. Please see Idaho Code Sections 18-3302(a) through 18-3302(n), which list crimes and other conditions that disqualify a person from being issued a concealed weapons license.
If you have been convicted of any of the crimes listed in Idaho Code Sections 18-310(2)(a) through 18-310(2)(jj), you are not eligible to obtain a concealed weapons license.
How much does a concealed weapons license cost in Idaho?
The fee for the original license is $20.00*. The renewal fee is $15.00*.
* Idaho Code provides that the sheriff may collect any additional fees necessary to cover the cost of processing fingerprints lawfully required by any state or federal agency or department, and the cost of materials for the license lawfully required by any state agency or department, which costs shall be paid to the state.
How long is the concealed weapons license valid?
licenses are valid for five years from the date of issue.
Can a concealed weapons license be denied or revoked?
Yes. The sheriff of the county where the license was issued or the sheriff of the county where the person resides may revoke a license for any of the following reasons:
- Fraud or intentional misrepresentation in obtaining the license;
- Misuse of a license. This includes lending or giving a license to another person, duplicating a license and using a license with the intent to unlawfully cause harm to a person or property;
- You meet any of the conditions that would have been grounds for the denial of your original application for a license by the sheriff. See Idaho Code Sections 18-3302(1)(a) through 18-3302(1)(n);
- Violation of any of the terms of Idaho Code Section 18-3302;
- You are found guilty of (or receive a withheld judgment for) a crime which would have disqualified you from receiving a license.
Are there places where I cannot carry a concealed weapon even with a license?
Yes. You may not carry a concealed weapon in a courthouse, juvenile detention facility, adult correctional facility, prison, jail, public school or private school.
Federal law may prohibit you from carrying a weapon in places such as federal courthouses and airports.
If you have any doubt, you should contact the government entity prior to carrying a weapon onto its premises.
Does Idaho recognize concealed weapons licenses from other states?
Yes. However, while in Idaho, you must carry the license on your person at all times when you are carrying a concealed weapon. (Idaho Code Section 18-3302(12)(g))
Does Idaho allow retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed weapon?
Yes, if you are a qualified law enforcement officer and meet all of the conditions in Idaho Code Section 18-3302H.
Does Idaho have reciprocity agreements with any other states? If so what states?
Yes. Idaho has signed reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.
Also, Idaho recognizes valid concealed weapons licenses from all states. Idaho does not require specific reciprocity agreements with the other states. See above.
Some states, such as those listed above, do require reciprocity agreements. Those states have specifically negotiated reciprocity agreements with Idaho.
If you are in doubt about a particular state’s reciprocity requirement, it is best to check with that state to determine its concealed weapons policy.
May I carry a firearm in my vehicle without a concealed weapons license?
You may carry a firearm in your vehicle inside the city limits or confines of a city, as long as it is in plain view, loaded or unloaded. But if you are going to conceal it, the firearm must be disassembled or unloaded.
If you are outside the city limits or confines of a city, and, if you are hunting, fishing, trapping or some other lawful outdoor activity, you are not required to have a concealed weapons license.
Does a concealed weapons license apply only to concealed firearms?
No. A concealed weapon includes any dirk, dirk knife, bowie knife, dagger, pistol, revolver or any other deadly or dangerous weapon.
May I carry a concealed weapon in private businesses that are open to the public?
Yes, unless the private business, which is open to the public forbids carrying weapons on the business premises. Private businesses are within their rights to prohibit weapons on their property.
(Last revised on 3/18/2013)
