How to get a CCW in California.

This video was created in April 2025. Please note that the laws, court cases, and Cal DOJ regulations change frequently. Please consult your local municipality for specifics.

To start with, you must own a handgun that is registered in your name in California. That gun will be listed by serial number on your California CCW. You start by filling out an application with your local sheriff or police department. You pay a fee to them. You get electronic fingerprints. And you schedule an interview. You attend a 16-hour CCW certification class, which includes a shooting qualification, demonstration of safe gun handling, a written test, and learning dozens of state mandated topics, including mental health awareness, less than lethal options, and countless California laws regarding concealed weapons.