Washington, DC does not honor a permit from any other state, so if you plan to carry in the District you need a DC Concealed Carry License (CCL) issued by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The process is more involved than Maryland’s, so here is how it works.

Who Can Apply

You must be at least 21 years old, meet the requirements to register a firearm in DC, and own (or be buying) a handgun, since the license is tied to a DC-registered pistol. You do NOT have to give MPD a “good reason” for carrying. Court decisions (Wrenn and Grace) ended that requirement. MPD also looks at suitability (no habitual drug or alcohol abuse, no conduct showing you are a credible threat, and no mental health condition in the last five years that creates a substantial risk of danger to yourself or others).

Training

1. 16 hours of classroom training from an MPD-certified concealed carry instructor (firearm safety, marksmanship, and District and federal firearms law, including self-defense law).
2. 2 hours of range training with that same type of instructor (this includes a 50 round qualification course shot from a maximum of 15 yards, and you must score at least 70 percent).
3. Training in DC firearms and self-defense law is REQUIRED. There is no exemption from it, even if you have military or law enforcement training.

You may submit your application BEFORE you train. If MPD preliminarily approves it, you will have 45 days to finish the training.

Application Steps

1. Create a profile on the MPD Firearms Portal (firearms.mpdc.dc.gov).
2. Complete the Application for Firearm Registration or Concealed Carry License (online or on paper). If your pistol is not registered yet, you will also complete form PD-219.
3. Gather two proofs of residency.
4. Schedule your in-person appointment through the Portal.
5. Pay your fees (listed below).
6. Provide your two proofs of residency and your training certificate at the appointment or upload them to the Portal.
7. At the appointment you will be fingerprinted and photographed at 441 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. DO NOT bring your firearm to this appointment.

Fees

CCL: $75. Fingerprinting and FBI background check: $35. Firearm registration: $13 (MPD waives this if you do not yet have a gun registered and you are applying for the CCL). Payment is by cash (in person), debit, or credit card (Visa or Mastercard).

Renewal

A DC CCL is valid for two years. MPD recommends submitting your renewal 45 days before it expires. Renewal requires a recertification class of 4 hours of training plus 2 hours of range training.

Tri-State Training, LLC wants you to get this right the first time, since a mistake in the process costs you time and money. Rules and fees can change, so confirm the current details with MPD at (202) 727-9099 before you apply. For questions, contact Tri-State Training, LLC at 301.988.0809, tristatetrainer@gmail.com, or tristatetraining.org.