North Dakota is a shall issue state for the purposes of reciprocity. However, the state is considered a constitutional carry state and residents can carry with their state issued ID. In order to obtain a North Dakota concealed carry license, applicants must be 18 for a Class 2 permit. Anyone who is 21 years or older is eligible for a Class 1 concealed carry permit. Applications can be submitted to the director of the bureau of investigation. Additionally, applicants must prove competency in firearm safety and proficiency with a firearm, including a live fire exercise. Therefore, an online only course is insufficient. The cost for a North Dakota concealed carry is $50 but subject to change, check the Attorney General’s website for any potential adjustments to the fee. Upon issuance, a permit is valid for 5 years. Those with a North Dakota concealed permit can carry in 39 other states.
This information was last updated in February 2019.
Table of Contents
North Dakota Concealed Carry By The Numbers
Average Cost in Dollars*
# of States That Accept ND License*
# of Years Valid
Minimum Age*
# of Days To Get A Permit
Reciprocity Map for North Dakota
Use the tabs below to display states that will accept a North Dakota concealed carry permit or those states that North Dakota will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.
States That Honor North Dakota 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 (Class I & II)
- Delaware – (Class I ONLY)
- Florida – Resident Permit ONLY (Class I & II)
- Georgia – (Class I & II)
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Kentucky
- Louisiana – (Class I ONLY)
- Maine – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- 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 – (Class I & II)
- Nebraska – (Class I ONLY)
- Nevada – (Class I & II)
- New Hampshire – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit. (Class I & II)
- New Mexico – Class I ONLY
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania – Resident Permit ONLY (Class I ONLY)
- South Carolina – (Class I ONLY)
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas – (Class I & II)
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit. (Class I & II)
- Wisconsin – (Class I ONLY)
- Wyoming – (Class I & II)
North Dakota Will Honor The Following States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How To Apply for a North Dakota Concealed Carry License
Can I get a concealed carry permit in North Dakota?
North Dakota is a shall issue state for the purposes of reciprocity, and has two levels of concealed carry permits, class 1 and class 2. Residents of the state can carry concealed without the need for a concealed carry permit, per the qualifications in the below excerpt.
“An individual who is not otherwise precluded from possessing a class 2 firearm and dangerous weapon license under this chapter and who has possessed for at least one year a valid driver’s license or non driver identification card issued by the department of transportation may carry a firearm concealed under this chapter.“
Although licenses are issued for reciprocity purposes, North Dakota does not differentiate between class 1 and class 2. However, some states will only accept class 1 licenses.
“Class 1 and class 2 permits are equally valid in this state.“
What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in ND?
In order to obtain a North Dakota concealed carry permit, an applicant must be 21 years old for a class I and 18 years old for a class II license.
Relevant Code(s):
Who issues a concealed carry permit in North Dakota?
Applicants for a North Dakota concealed carry permit should submit their application to the director of the bureau of criminal investigation.
“The director of the bureau of criminal investigation shall issue a license to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon concealed upon review of an application submitted to the director […]“
Relevant Code(s):
How long is a North Dakota concealed carry permit good for?
Does ND issue concealed permits to non-residents?
For all intents and purposes, North Dakota does not issue concealed permits to nonresidents. However, according to the AG website, those with a valid concealed permit issued from another state with reciprocity are also eligible for a ND concealed carry license. They are still subject to the requirements of residents, and testing must be completed within the state.
“[…] can demonstrate that the applicant is a resident of this state by providing a copy of a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card from this state that establishes personal identification […]“
However, the attorney general’s office does indicate that military personnel stationed in North Dakota are eligible for a resident concealed carry permit.
“on full-time active military duty stationed in ND“
Relevant Code(s):
How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
Once a completed application is submitted to the bureau of criminal investigation, they will have 60 days to issue or deny a license.
“[…] required to process the application and make a determination within sixty days of receipt of the properly completed application.“
Relevant Code(s):
How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
North Dakota code indicates that the attorney general shall list the fees for processing a concealed carry license. At the time of this writing, the cost for a ND concealed permit is $50.
“The fee for a concealed weapons license must be credited to the attorney general’s operating fund. All fees must be paid before the license application may be processed by the director of the bureau of criminal investigation. The attorney general shall list the fees associated with the license, including the costs of the fingerprint-based federal criminal history record check, in the attorney general’s administrative rules.“
“The test administrator may charge up to $50 (plus range fees, if applicable). This fee includes a complete copy of the current Concealed Weapon License Manual for you to keep.“
Relevant Code(s):
What are the accepted forms of competency training?
North Dakota does require competency training for the issuance of either a class 1 or class 2 license.
“The applicant has successfully completed the testing procedure conducted by a certified test administrator. The person conducting the testing may assess a charge of up to fifty dollars for conducting this testing. The attorney general may certify a test administrator based upon criteria and guidelines prescribed by the director of the bureau of criminal investigation“
There is a live fire component to the North Dakota concealed carry assessment. Thus, an online only course is insufficient for the requirements to obtain a concealed permit.
“[…] demonstrate familiarity with a firearm, and complete an actual shooting or certified proficiency exercise.“
Relevant Code(s):
Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in North Dakota
Is North Dakota an Open Carry State?
North Dakota is an open carry state between one hour before sunrise and within one hour after sunset. However, the below excerpt describes the condition the firearm must be in during various hours, for those without a permit. An individual with a North Dakota concealed carry permit is not subject to these restrictions.
“Between the hours of one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset, the handgun is unloaded and either in plain view or secured. Between the hours of one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, the handgun is unloaded and secured.“
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?
I was unable to find any restriction placed on individuals with a concealed carry permit from carrying in a vehicle. However, for those individual who do not have a North Dakota concealed permit, they are not allowed to keep a loaded firearm in their vehicle.
“An individual may not keep or carry a loaded firearm in or on any motor vehicle, including an off-highway vehicle or snowmobile in this state. An individual violating this section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.“
While this seems to be in contrast to the nature of constitutional carry, the attorney general provides some clarification here. However, for the sake of this reference guide, I am adhering to the verbatim letter of the law.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
According to the rules document found on the North Dakota Park Services site, an individual who is eligible to carry a concealed weapon can do so within state parks.
“An individual who is not otherwise precluded from possessing a class 2 firearm and dangerous weapons license and who has possessed for at least one year a valid driver’s license or non driver’s identification card issued by the North Dakota department of transportation may carry a firearm concealed […]“
Relevant Code(s):
Am I Allowed To Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
At first glance, it appears that you are not allowed to carry a concealed firearm, even if licensed to do so, into any establishment that serves alcohol.
“An individual who enters or remains in that part of the establishment that is set aside for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages and the consumption of purchased alcoholic beverages[…] is guilty of a classA misdemeanor[…]”
However, upon further investigation, the code is clarified. The state permits individuals to carry in restaurant areas not reserved for those 21 years or older.
“This section does not apply to: […]The restaurant part of an establishment if an individual under twenty-one years of age is not prohibited in that part of the establishment.”
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
North Dakota considers churches and other places of worship to be considered “places of public gathering” where carrying of concealed firearms are prohibited. However, those with a North Dakota concealed carry permit are allowed to carry in churches. Although this is true, the owner of the property can forbid carrying of weapons on premises through posted signage.
“An individual possessing a valid concealed weapons license from this state or who has reciprocity under section 62.1-04-03.1 authorizing the individual to carry a dangerous weapon concealed if the individual is in a church building or other place of worship and has the approval to carry in the church building or other place of worship by a primary religious leader of the church or other place of worship or the governing body of the church or other place of worship;“
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
Nothing expressly forbids the carrying in banks by licensed individuals. However, for those without a North Dakota concealed carry, the code can be interpreted to prohibit carrying of handguns into banks or other financial institutions. Therefore, it is recommended that you refrain from carrying there. Additionally, private property can be declared gun free through posted signage.
“An individual who knowingly possesses a firearm or dangerous weapon at a public gathering is guilty of a classB misdemeanor. For the purpose of this section, ‘public gathering’ means an athletic or sporting event, a school, a church, and a publicly owned or operated building.”
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
Nothing in North Dakota code expressly prohibits the carrying of concealed weapons into hospitals. However, similar to the regulations regarding bank, it is highly advisable that you refrain from carrying into hospitals or other medical facilities, as they could be considered “places of public gathering.” Furthermore, any posted signage forbidding carrying of weapons should 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.