Wisconsin is a shall issue state. Applicants must be 21 years or older to obtain a Wisconsin concealed carry license. Additionally, they must also be a resident of the state. Applications should be mailed to the Department of Justice, and should include a $37 fee for processing. While the state does require proof of competency, there is not requirement by the state that the training include live fire exercises or range time. Therefore, online education from a certified instructor is permitted. Upon issuance, a Wisconsin license to CCW is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. Those with a valid Wisconsin concealed license can carry in 32 other states.
This information was last updated in March 2019.
Table of Contents
Wisconsin Concealed Carry By The Numbers
Average Cost in Dollars
# of States That Accept WI License
# of Years Valid
Minimum Age
# of Days To Get A Permit
Reciprocity Map for Wisconsin
Use the tabs below to display states that will accept a Wisconsin concealed carry permit or those states that Wisconsin will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.
States That Honor Wisconsin 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
- 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. Does NOT honor 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. Does NOT honor state issued concealed carry permit.
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania – Resident Permit ONLY
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Wyoming
Wisconsin Will Honor The Following States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine – Class A Permit ONLY
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota – Class I ONLY
- Ohio – Permits issued after 3/22/15 ONLY
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota – Enhanced/Gold ONLY
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia – Nonresident permits ONLY
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
How To Apply for a Wisconsin Concealed Carry License
Can I get a concealed carry permit in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is a shall issue state. Any person who is not disqualified, completes the necessary permit application, and proves competency with a firearm shall be issued a Wisconsin license to carry a concealed weapon.
Relevant Code(s):
What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in WI?
Applicants for a Wisconsin concealed carry license must be at least 21 years old. There does not appear to be a means for those less than 21 years old to obtain a license to CCW.
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Who issues a concealed carry permit in Wisconsin?
Applications should be submitted to the Department of Justice. The applicant can send the application by mail. I was unable to find a means to send the completed application to the DOJ via electronic means through their site.
“‘Department’ means the department of justice. […]An individual may apply for a license under this section with the department by submitting, by mail or other means made available by the department […]“
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How long is a Wisconsin concealed carry permit good for?
Wisconsin concealed carry permits are valid for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance.
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Does WI issue concealed permits to non-residents?
Wisconsin does not issue nonresident permits. Only residents of the state may obtain a CCW, but nothing describes any residency duration requirement. Furthermore, military residents are eligible for a WI concealed license.
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How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
According to Wisconsin code, an applicant shall be issued a permit to carry a concealed weapon within 21 days. Otherwise, the applicant will need to be informed in writing that the request was denied and the cause for denial, within the same allotted time.
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How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
Wisconsin code indicates that the fee for a CCW license shall not exceed $37. However, the actual amount may vary according to rules set forth by the Department of Justice.
“A license fee in an amount, as determined by the department by rule, that is equal to the cost of issuing the license but does not exceed $37 […]“
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What are the accepted forms of competency training?
The state of Wisconsin requires proof of training to obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon. A certificate of completion provided from an instructor is required as part of the application. The following are accepted training methods:
- hunter education program – recognized by the department of natural resources.
- firearm safety course from a national or state organization that certifies firearm instructors
- firearm training courses available to law enforcement, private detective agencies, or security agencies
- military or law enforcement documentation equivalent to the above.
Additionally, there is no live fire or range exercise that is mandated by the state. Furthermore, nothing excludes online education courses as being insufficient to meet the requirements for a Wisconsin concealed carry license.
“The department may not require firing live ammunition to meet the training requirements […]“
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Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in Wisconsin
Is Wisconsin an Open Carry State?
Wisconsin is an open carry state. Both the state constitution and the excerpt below designate the state as one where open carry is allowed.
“Unless expressly provided in this section, this section does not limit an individual’s right to carry a firearm that is not concealed.“
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Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?
Those with a Wisconsin concealed carry license are permitted to carry concealed within their vehicle. Those without a license, are not permitted to carry a firearm concealed. However, because the state is an open carry state, a visible firearm is permitted.
“His or her firearm is in plain view, as defined by rule by the department of safety and professional services.“
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Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, individuals with a CCW license are permitted to carry concealed in state parks.
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Am I Allowed To Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
Individuals with a Wisconsin concealed carry permit can carry concealed into a restaurant. However, those without one are not permitted to openly carry a firearm into an establishment that serves alcohol. Regardless of this provision, it is illegal to consume alcohol while carrying concealed.
“Whoever intentionally goes armed with a handgun on any premises for which a Class “B” or “Class B” license or permit has been issued […] is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.“
“A licensee, […] or an out-of-state licensee, […] if the licensee or out-of-state licensee is not consuming alcohol on the premises.”
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Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
Yes, those with a concealed carry license are permitted to carry into a church. Nothing in Wisconsin state code prohibited areas designates churches, synagogues, or other places of worship as an area where firearms are prohibited. However, it is recommended that you obey any posted signage to avoid conflicts.
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Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
Similar to churches, nothing in Wisconsin law prohibits licensed individuals from carrying into a financial institution. Therefore, those with a valid Wisconsin concealed carry license are permitted to carry a concealed firearm into a bank. To avoid unnecessary issues, it is recommended that you abide by any posted signage.
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Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
Generally, an individual with a WI license to carry is permitted to have a concealed handgun in a hospital. However, there are certain restrictions on other medical facilities. Most importantly, mental health facilities are off limits even to individuals with a Wisconsin concealed carry permit. Fur a full listing of prohibited medical facilities, consult the following codes.
“Any secured unit or secured portion of a mental health institute […], including a facility designated as the Maximum Security Facility at Mendota Mental Health Institute.“
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.