Concealed Carry in Washington

No for concealed pistols. Except in one's home or fixed place of business, a person may not carry a pistol concealed without a concealed pistol license, and may not carry or place a loaded pistol in a vehicle without one. People 18 to 20 may possess a pistol only at home, at their fixed place of business or on real property they control, unless a listed exception applies.

Concealed pistol license (CPL), issued by the city chief of police or county sheriff, who 'shall' issue it within 30 days of application (up to 60 days for applicants without a Washington license/ID or under 90 days' residency) unless the applicant is disqualified, for example by being under 21, ineligible to possess firearms, subject to certain court orders, on bond for a felony, or having an outstanding warrant. Fingerprint-based check for original licenses. Valid five years. Fee: $36 plus FBI charges passed on to the applicant (renewal $32; late renewal penalty $10; replacement $10). No training is required under the current version; under the version effective May 1, 2027, applicants must show completion within the last five years of a certified concealed carry safety training program with live-fire exercises (at least 50 rounds at a range under an instructor), unless exempt.

Limited. Washington honors another state's license only if that state recognizes Washington's license, does not license people under 21, and requires fingerprint-based criminal and mental health background checks; it applies only to nonresidents, who must follow Washington law. The Attorney General's list (last updated July 10, 2026) recognizes: Idaho (Enhanced Permit only), Kansas (standard license only), Louisiana, Michigan, Montana (enhanced permit only, not the restricted permit for 18-20), North Carolina, North Dakota (Class 1 only), Ohio, South Dakota (Unrestricted Enhanced and Gold permits only), and Utah (not the Provisional permit).

Main places (RCW 9.41.300(1)): restricted areas of jails and law enforcement facilities; court areas of buildings used for court proceedings; restricted areas of public mental health facilities; areas of bars and other establishments off-limits to people under 21; restricted areas of commercial airports; and, under newer subsections, the premises of public libraries, accredited zoos or aquariums, and transit stations and facilities. Also banned: K-12 school premises, school transportation and school board meetings; licensed child care centers; ballot counting centers, voting centers, student engagement hubs and county elections offices; open carry at permitted demonstrations; open carry on state capitol grounds and certain municipal buildings. The state preempts the field of firearms regulation, with limited local exceptions.

Without a concealed pistol license, a person may not carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle. A CPL holder may have a loaded pistol in a vehicle only if it is on the person, the licensee stays in the vehicle, or the licensee is away and the pistol is locked inside and concealed from view. Anyone 18 or older leaving an unloaded pistol in a vehicle must lock it inside, concealed from view. Carrying a rifle or shotgun with a cartridge in the chamber in a motor vehicle or off-road vehicle is a misdemeanor, with exceptions (for example on-duty officers and certain disability permits).