California Non-Resident CCW Course

Since January 1, 2026, California agencies issue carry licenses to qualified non-residents. Take the required 16-hour course online. It is pre-recorded and on demand, so you can start the moment you enroll and finish at your own pace.

On demand · start right after you enroll Accepted by 7 California agencies English · Farsi · Spanish

Start the course – $300 How it works

Accepted by these agencies

Your agency decides what it accepts. Confirm before you apply.

Riverside County Sheriff Los Angeles Police Department Sacramento County Sheriff El Dorado County Sheriff Fresno County Sheriff Placer County Sheriff Shasta County Sheriff

How a non-resident gets a California CCW

Five steps

Choose your agency

Apply where you will spend most of your time in California.

Apply and get fingerprinted

Use your out-of-state license as ID. Your agency tells you how fingerprinting works.

Take this 16-hour course

Pre-recorded and on demand. Start right after you enroll; you get a certificate when you finish.

Qualify on the range

Live fire with each handgun on your application.

Interview and issue

Your agency interviews you and makes the final decision.

What the course covers

California concealed carry law and where you can't carry
Use of force and the legal aftermath of a self-defense incident
Firearm safety, storage and transport in California
Shooting fundamentals and what the qualification looks like
The application process, step by step

Your live-fire qualification

You have two options:

Qualify with us if you will be in Southern California. We shoot at Prado Olympic Shooting Park (Chino), Raahauge's (Corona) or Riverside Magnum Range.
Qualify near home with any NRA-certified instructor at a range facility near you.

To schedule live fire with us, call (714) 248-5161.

Questions non-residents ask

Can I take this course before I apply?

Yes. Many applicants finish the course first so their certificate is ready when the agency asks for it.

Do I have to fly to California for the shooting test?

No. You can qualify with any NRA-certified instructor at a range near you, or with us if you will be in Southern California.

Which agency should I apply to?

The one where you will spend most of your time in California. The seven agencies above accept this course.

Is this course for California residents?

No. California residents should take our Riverside County or LAPD course.

$300

16-hour online course

On demand: start right after you enroll
Certificate for your agency when you finish
Instructor help with your application questions
Live fire with us or near your home

Start the course Call (714) 248-5161