Ohio is a shall issue state, the requires applicants be at least 21 years old to obtain a concealed handgun license. Applicants should submit their application to the sheriff of their county or a neighboring county sheriff. While the state does issue nonresident permits, it requires employment as a condition to issue an Ohio concealed carry permit. Furthermore, applicants for a concealed handgun license must prove competency with firearms and their safe handling, which includes a minimum 2 hour in person training. This means that online only training is not acceptable. The cost for initial issuance is $67, regardless of duration of residency. Once issued, a concealed handgun permit is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. While Ohio accepts concealed carry permits from any other issuing authority, those with a concealed handgun permit can carry concealed in 38 other states.
This information was last updated in February 2019.
Table of Contents
Ohio Concealed Carry By The Numbers
Average Cost in Dollars*
# of States That Accept OH License
# of Years Valid
Minimum Age
# of Days To Get A Permit
Reciprocity Map for Ohio
Use the tabs below to display states that will accept an Ohio concealed carry permit or those states that Ohio will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.
States That Honor Ohio 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
- Delaware
- 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
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania – Resident Permit ONLY
- South Carolina – Resident Permit ONLY
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas – Honors permits issued after 03/22/15
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Wisconsin – Honors permits issued after 03/22/15
- Wyoming
Ohio 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
Under Ohio state code 2923.126 all valid out of state concealed carry permits are recognized.
How To Apply for an Ohio Concealed Carry License
Can I get a concealed carry permit in Ohio?
Ohio is a shall issue state. Applicants must meet set criteria, in order to obtain an Ohio concealed carry permit. If there are no disqualifying factors, and the applicant performs all actions required to possess a concealed handgun license the state shall issue to that applicant.
Relevant Code(s):
What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in OH?
The minimum age requirement for an Ohio concealed handgun license is 21 years old.
Relevant Code(s):
Who issues a concealed carry permit in Ohio?
Applicants for an Ohio concealed carry handgun license should submit their completed application to the sheriff of the county in which the applicant resides or to the sheriff of any county adjacent to the county in which the applicant resides.
“An applicant for a concealed handgun license who is a resident of this state shall submit a completed application form and all of the material and information described in divisions (B)(1) to (6) of this section to the sheriff of the county in which the applicant resides or to the sheriff of any county adjacent to the county in which the applicant resides.“
Relevant Code(s):
How long is an Ohio concealed carry permit good for?
Ohio concealed carry permits are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
Relevant Code(s):
Does OH issue concealed permits to non-residents?
Technically, Ohio will issue nonresident permits. However, all the conditions I saw relied on the applicant being employed within the state. Therefore, those without residence in the state should be able to prove employment. Furthermore, any nonresident permit becomes invalid after the expiration if the individual is no longer employed within the state, and that person is ineligible for renewal.
“The concealed handgun license of a licensee who is no longer a resident of this state or no longer employed in this state, as applicable, is valid until the date of expiration on the license, and the licensee is prohibited from renewing the concealed handgun license.“
“If the applicant resides in another state, adequate proof of employment in Ohio.“
Relevant Code(s):
How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
From the time a completed application is submitted to the sheriff of the county, the issuing authority will have 45 days to issue a permit to qualified individuals.
“[…] within forty-five days after a sheriff’s receipt of an applicant’s completed application form for a concealed handgun license under this section […] shall issue to the applicant a concealed handgun license […]“
Relevant Code(s):
How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
Both residents of the state for 5 years, and those who are residents of the state for less than 5 years (or nonresidents) will pay a fee of $67 for initial issuance of an Ohio concealed carry permit.
Relevant Code(s):
What are the accepted forms of competency training?
The state requires competency training as a condition of receiving an Ohio concealed carry permit. Additionally, the course must have built in range time and live fire exercises, plus a minimum 2 hours of in person firearms training. Therefore, online only training courses are not acceptable for Ohio standards. Furthermore, the applicable training must have been completed within three years of application submission.
“The ability to name, explain, and demonstrate the rules for safe handling of a handgun and proper storage practices for handguns and ammunition; […] A minimum of two hours of in-person training that consists of range time and live-fire training“
Relevant Code(s):
Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in Ohio
Is Ohio an Open Carry State?
Ohio is an open carry state. The state requires an individual to be at least 18 years old to openly carry a handgun. Certain restrictions may apply (see following sections).
Relevant Code(s):
N/A
Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?
Ohio prohibits the concealed carrying of loaded firearms in a vehicle by unlicensed individuals unless, the weapon is stored in a place inaccessible unless leaving the vehicle, in a closed container, or in plain sight and secured in a device made for that purpose.
Furthermore, the occupant is required to inform the officer that there is a firearm in the vehicle. Those with a concealed permit are not exempt from this.
“No person shall knowingly transport or have a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle in such a manner that the firearm is accessible to the operator or any passenger without leaving the vehicle.
No person shall knowingly transport or have a firearm in a motor vehicle, unless the person may lawfully possess that firearm under applicable law of this state or the United States, the firearm is unloaded, and the firearm is carried in one of the following ways:
In a closed package, box, or case;
In a compartment that can be reached only by leaving the vehicle;
In plain sight and secured in a rack or holder made for the purpose;“
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
I was unable to find any rule or regulation in the Ohio DNR or Ohio Parks and Watercraft sites regarding concealed carry. Therefore, it is legal for a licensed individual with an Ohio concealed carry permit to carry within state parks.
Relevant Code(s):
Am I Allowed To Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
Anyone without a concealed carry permit is prohibited from carrying a weapon into any part of an establishment that serves alcohol. However, this does not apply to those with an Ohio concealed carry permit. Therefore, it is legal for an individual with a concealed carry license to carry a handgun into a restaurant, provided they are not consuming or under the influence of alcohol.
“No person shall possess a firearm in any room in which any person is consuming beer or intoxicating liquor in a premises[…]”
“This section does not apply to […] Any person who is carrying a valid concealed handgun license or any person who is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and is carrying a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training […]”
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
Carrying of concealed firearms into churches is forbidden. This rule extends to mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship. However, nothing prohibits these establishments from allowing concealed carry on the premises.
“Any church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship, unless the church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship posts or permits otherwise; “
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
Licensed individuals are permitted to carry into banks and other financial institutions. Government facilities including, but not limited to police stations, court houses, and properties owned by higher education institutions.
“[…] the owner or person in control of private land or premises, and a private person or entity leasing land or premises owned by the state, the United States, or a political subdivision of the state or the United States, may post a sign in a conspicuous location on that land or on those premises prohibiting persons from carrying firearms or concealed firearms on or onto that land or those premises.”
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
Nothing in the Ohio legislature prevents a licensed individual from carrying a concealed weapon into a hospital. However, similar to the rules governing banks, no gun signs must be obeyed.
Relevant Code(s):
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.
