Virginia is a shall issue state. Applicants for a Virginia concealed carry permit must be 21 years old. The clerk of the circuit court accepts applications for residents. However, nonresident applicants should apply directly to the Virginia State Police. Residents will need to pay an application fee of $50, while nonresidents are required to pay $100 for processing and issuance of a concealed permit. Virginia does require training and proof of competency, but unlike other states VA code doesn’t require range time as part of the curriculum. Online training is accepted if conducted by a qualified instructor. Upon issuance, a VA concealed carry permit is valid for 5 years. Virginia will accept any other state issued concealed permit. However, those with a VA permit can carry in 35 other states, but that is a mix of resident and nonresident permit acceptance.
This information was last updated in February 2019.
Table of Contents
Virginia Concealed Carry By The Numbers
Average Cost in Dollars*
# of States That Accept VA License
# of Years Valid
Minimum Age
# of Days To Get A Permit
Reciprocity Map for Virginia
Use the tabs below to display states that will accept a Virginia concealed carry permit or those states that Virginia will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.
States That Honor Virginia Concealed Carry
- Alabama
- Alaska – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arizona – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arkansas
- Colorado – Resident Permit ONLY
- Florida – Resident Permit ONLY
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Michigan
- Mississippi – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Missouri – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina – Resident Permit ONLY
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin – Nonresident Permit ONLY
- Wyoming
Virginia Will Honor The Following States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Virginia accepts any valid state issued permit.
How To Apply for a Virginia Concealed Carry License
Can I get a concealed carry permit in Virginia?
Virginia is a shall issue state. Those who are permitted to possess a handgun, and in good standing with the state, and submit a completed application should receive their concealed permit.
Relevant Code(s):
What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in VA?
Virginia requires applicants for a concealed carry permit to be at least 21 years old.
Relevant Code(s):
Who issues a concealed carry permit in Virginia?
Applications for a Virginia concealed carry permit should be submitted to the clerk of the circuit court in which the applicant resides.
Relevant Code(s):
How long is a Virginia concealed carry permit good for?
Virginia concealed carry permits are valid for a period of 5 years. Unlike other states, that require residency within the state for a certain period of time, Virginia does not have a minimum duration of residency.
“There shall be no requirement regarding the length of time an applicant has been a resident or domiciliary of the county or city.“
Relevant Code(s):
Does VA issue concealed permits to non-residents?
Virginia does issue nonresident permits to qualified individuals. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. While residents submit their application to the clerk of the circuit court, nonresidents should submit their applications to VA State Police. Nonresidents must also prove firearm competency, and meet similar requirements to resident applicants. Additionally, 2 photos must be submitted along with the application.
Relevant Code(s):
How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
Applications for a Virginia concealed permit must be issued or denied within 45 days. If no decision has been made about issuance or denial after the 45 day period has expired, a defacto permit will be issued that is valid for 90 days. The clerk will issue a certified copy of the application, noting the 45 day period has transpired, which will serve as the defacto permit.
“The court shall issue the permit via United States mail and notify the State Police of the issuance of the permit within 45 days of receipt of the completed application unless it is determined that the applicant is disqualified.“
“[…] clerk shall certify on the application that the 45-day period has expired, and mail or send via electronic mail a copy of the certified application to the applicant within five business days of the expiration of the 45-day period […] the certified application shall serve as a de facto permit, which shall expire 90 days after issuance, and shall be recognized as a valid concealed handgun permit when presented with a valid government-issued photo identification […]“
Relevant Code(s):
How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
The total cost for a Virginia resident concealed carry permit shall not exceed $50. Of this, $10 will go to the clerk of the county, $35 will go to the FBI for processing of fingerprints, and $5 for the state police. Those with military service totaling 15 or more years who have reached age 55 are exempt from paying these fees. However, those wishing to obtain a nonresident concealed carry permit from Virginia are required to pay $100. There is no record of how these funds are to be broken down.
Relevant Code(s):
What are the accepted forms of competency training?
Like many other states, Virginia requires proof of firearms competency through training to obtain a concealed permit. Virginia accepts the following forms of training for the purposes of application:
- approved hunter education or hunter safety course
- NRA firearms or safety training course
- general firearms safety or training course available to the public
- law enforcement firearm safety course
- proof of participation in organized shooting
- proof of honorable discharge from the armed services
- governmental police firearm safety course
Additionally, there is no live fire requirement listed in VA state code. Furthermore, Virginia declares online courses are adequate to meet training requirements.
“Completing any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic, video, or online course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor;“
Relevant Code(s):
Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in Virginia
Is Virginia an Open Carry State?
Virginia is an open carry state. However, those without a VA concealed permit cannot carry a handgun with a magazine with a capacity that exceeds 20 rounds.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded (a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock […]“
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?
Those with a valid concealed carry permit, are legally allowed to have a concealed handgun in their vehicle. However, the weapon must be secured in a container or in a compartment within the vehicle.
“It shall be an affirmative defense […] regarding a handgun, that a person had been issued, at the time of the offense, a valid concealed handgun permit.“
“Any person who may lawfully possess a firearm and is carrying a handgun while in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel and such handgun is secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle or vessel;“
“[…] shall not apply to persons carrying loaded firearms in moving vehicles or for purposes other than hunting, or to persons acting at the time in defense of persons or property.“
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries allows those with a valid concealed permit to carry within state parks. Any other federal regulations still apply, as well as, any regulations pertaining to private property.
“Nothing in any Department regulation shall prohibit the possession and transport of a concealed handgun when the individual possesses a valid concealed weapon permit as defined in the Code of Virginia.“
Relevant Code(s):
Am I Allowed To Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
Nothing in VA state code forbids carrying a concealed handgun into a restaurant by a licensed individual. However, it is illegal to consume alcohol while carrying a firearm.
“No person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of any restaurant or club […] or which a license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption has been granted by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority […] may consume an alcoholic beverage while on the premises“
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
It is illegal for any person, regardless of whether they have a valid concealed permit or not, to carry into a church or other place of worship.
“If any person carry any gun, pistol, bowie knife, dagger or other dangerous weapon, without good and sufficient reason, to a place of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held at such place he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.“
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
Nothing in VA state code expressly prohibits the carrying of handguns by licensed individuals into financial institutions. Therefore, it is legal for those with a Virginia concealed carry permit to carry into a bank.
Relevant Code(s):
N/A
Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
Hospitals are not expressly addressed in Virginia code. Therefore, it is legal for a licensed individual to carry into a hospital or other medical facility. It is recommended that any posted signage prohibiting the carrying of firearms on premises be obeyed.
Relevant Code(s):
N/A
The content of this page is for informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for legal council, or intended as legal advice. It is recommended that you inquire with the state about the validity of the information contained herein.