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Nevada CCW permit

What the Nevada concealed firearm permit takes, who issues it, and the pistols people carry with one.

This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees are set by statute and by each county sheriff, and they change. Check the current Nevada Revised Statutes and your sheriff's office, and talk to a Nevada attorney about your own situation. Reviewed September 2026.

Nevada requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm (NRS 202.350). Open carry needs no permit. The permit itself is issued under NRS 202.3653 and the sections that follow, and it is the sheriff of your county who handles it, not a state office.

Who can apply

  • 21 or older in the ordinary case. Nevada law makes a limited exception at 18 for members and honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
  • Not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
  • Course completed with an instructor whose course the sheriff approves.
  • Residents and non-residents can both apply, though non-resident paperwork differs by county.

How it works

1. Take the class
A firearm safety course approved for Nevada permits, including a live-fire qualification with an instructor.
2. Apply at the sheriff
Apply to the sheriff of the county you live in. You bring the course certificate, photo ID and the fee.
3. Prints and photo
Fingerprints and a photo are taken as part of the application and run for the background check.
4. Wait for the decision
The sheriff approves or denies in writing. Expect a wait of weeks to a few months depending on the county.

The class

The approved course covers safe handling and storage, the mechanics of the gun you carry, and Nevada law on the use of force, then finishes with a live-fire qualification. One Nevada permit covers revolvers and semi-automatic pistols together, so you qualify once and carry either. Keep the certificate. You need it for the application and again at renewal.

Cost and timing

Plan on roughly $100 to the sheriff for the application and fingerprint processing, plus the course fee your instructor charges. Both vary by county and by school, so confirm the current numbers before you book. Processing takes weeks in some counties and a few months in others, and the sheriff answers in writing.

Renewal

A Nevada permit runs five years. Renewal goes back through the same sheriff office and needs a refresher course (NRS 202.3677). Start early, because letting one lapse can mean going through the full application again.

Carrying with the permit

  • Carry the permit and photo identification whenever you are carrying concealed, and show them to a peace officer who asks (NRS 202.3667).
  • The permit does not override place restrictions. Schools and child care facilities (NRS 202.265), secured public buildings (NRS 202.3673), federal property and airports past security are still off limits.
  • A private business or landlord can prohibit firearms on their property.

Carrying in other states

Nevada honors permits from states it recognizes, and the Department of Public Safety maintains that list. Whether a Nevada permit works in another state is that state's decision, and the answer changes from year to year. Check the current Nevada list at dps.nv.gov and the rules of every state you will carry in before you leave. Do not assume a permit travels with you.

Concealed carry pistols

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350 carry-size pistols in stock right now, shipped to your Nevada FFL dealer. How that works.

Common questions

Who can get a Nevada CCW permit?

Generally a person 21 or older who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm, who completes an approved course, and who meets the other statutory requirements. Nevada law makes a limited exception at 18 for members and honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The sheriff can deny an application on the grounds the statute lists.

Do I have to live in Nevada to apply?

No. Nevada permits are issued by county sheriffs and non-residents can apply, usually to the sheriff of the county where they took their course. Check with that office first, because the paperwork differs from a resident application.

What training does Nevada require?

A course in firearm safety approved by the sheriff. It covers safe handling, storage and the law on the use of deadly force, and it includes a live-fire qualification. One permit covers both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, so you do not need a separate permit for each.

How much does a Nevada CCW cost?

Budget roughly $100 for the sheriff application and fingerprint processing, plus the course, which most instructors price in the low hundreds. Fees are set by each sheriff and change, so check the current fee schedule for your county before you apply.

How long is the permit good for?

Five years. Renewal goes through the same sheriff office and requires a refresher course (NRS 202.3677). Apply before it expires, as a lapsed permit can mean starting over.

Do I need a permit to buy a gun?

No. A CCW permit is about carrying concealed, not buying. Anyone who is not prohibited can buy from a dealer after passing the background check.

Do I have to carry the permit with me?

Yes. While you are carrying a concealed firearm you must have the permit and proper identification with you, and show them to a peace officer on demand (NRS 202.3667).

Is a Nevada permit good in other states?

In many, but not all. Nevada publishes the list of states whose permits it honors and reviews it, and other states each decide whether they honor a Nevada permit. Check the Nevada Department of Public Safety list and the laws of every state you plan to carry in before you travel.

Where can I not carry with a permit?

Schools and child care facilities (NRS 202.265), airports past the security checkpoint, federal buildings and courthouses, and public buildings with controlled access under NRS 202.3673. Private property owners can also prohibit firearms. See our Nevada gun laws page.

What is the best gun for concealed carry?

The one you will actually carry every day and can shoot well. Most people end up with a compact or micro-compact 9mm that fits a proper holster inside the waistband. Weight, grip length and trigger matter more than the badge on the slide.

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