How to Get Your Louisiana Concealed Carry Permit in 2026 (Step-by-Step)

Louisiana lets most adults carry concealed without a permit, but the Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) is still the only way to carry in the other states that honor it. Here is the process from start to finish, checked against Louisiana State Police and the permit statute (R.S. 40:1379.3) in November 2026.

Who Can Apply

• You must be at least 21 years old
• You must be legally able to possess a firearm
• You no longer have to be a Louisiana resident. The state dropped the residency requirement in 2025 and now issues non-resident permits at a higher fee

Step 1: Take the Required Training

A first permit requires at least nine hours of training from a qualified instructor. State law spells out the topics: handgun nomenclature and safe handling, ammunition and shooting fundamentals, shooting positions, use of deadly force and conflict resolution, child access prevention, and live fire with handgun cleaning.

The live-fire qualification is 36 rounds: 12 rounds each at 6 feet, 10 feet and 15 feet, on an NRA B-27 type target.

P&D's Louisiana Concealed Carry Class covers all of it in one day, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, for $125. The free online course on the State Police website does not count toward a permit.

Step 2: Keep Your Training Certificate

You leave class with a training certificate. Louisiana State Police accepts training completed within the 12 months before you apply, so you have time, but do not let it sit for a year.

Step 3: Apply to Louisiana State Police

Applications go to the Concealed Handgun Permit Unit. You can apply three ways:

• Online at chp.la.gov, which is the fastest
• By mail
• In person at State Police headquarters, 7919 Independence Blvd, Baton Rouge

You will need your training certificate and a valid driver's license or state ID. The online application tells you exactly which documents to upload for your situation.

Step 4: Pay the State Fee

These fees are set by the state and paid to the state. They are separate from the class.

• Five-year permit, Louisiana resident: $125
• Lifetime permit, Louisiana resident: $500
• Non-resident: $250 for five years, $1,000 for lifetime
• Age 65 and older, or active-duty military: half price
• Honorably discharged veterans: no permit fee
• First-time applicants who have not lived in Louisiana for the last 15 years: an added $50

Step 5: Get Fingerprinted

Fingerprinting comes after you submit the application, not before. State Police will give you the instructions for scheduling it once your application is in.

Step 6: Wait for the Decision

State Police does not publish a guaranteed processing time, and anyone who quotes you an exact number of days is guessing. You can check where your application stands with the Search Application tool at chp.la.gov. Once issued, your permit can also be shown in the LA Wallet app.

Renewing Later

A standard permit lasts five years. To renew, you need new training completed within one year before you renew, including the same 36-round qualification. You can file from 120 days before your expiration date until 60 days after it. Miss that window and you start over as a new applicant. Lifetime permit holders have to send in proof of training every five years too.

Our renewal class is a half day, 8:00 AM to noon, for $125.

Why Get a Permit When Louisiana Has Permitless Carry?

Since July 4, 2024, adults 18 and older who can legally possess a firearm can carry concealed in Louisiana without a permit. Two reasons to get the permit anyway:

• Travel. Permitless carry ends at the state line. A Louisiana permit is honored in the states on the State Police reciprocity list. Check the list before each trip, because it changes.
• Training. The limits on where you can carry, the alcohol rule, and what to do when an officer approaches you apply to everyone who carries. The class is where you learn them properly.

Where You Still Cannot Carry

Permit or not, Louisiana law keeps handguns out of places such as law enforcement buildings, jails, courthouses, polling places, the state capitol, schools and school buses, bars, parades, and places of worship unless the congregation allows it. Private property owners can also say no. The class goes through the full list.

Ready to Start?

See upcoming class dates and register, or call the shop at (225) 588-6130. P&D Concealed Carry and Gun Shop is at 32290 Sasser Lane in Walker, about 25 minutes from Baton Rouge and 10 from Denham Springs.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and rules are set by the State of Louisiana and can change, so confirm the details with Louisiana State Police before you apply.

Ready to Train?

Register for an upcoming class at P&D Concealed Carry in Walker, LA.