CarryReciprocity

This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.

IdahoConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity

Compiled and verified against primary sources by CarryReciprocity. How we source & verify →

Idaho is a permitless (constitutional) carry state — anyone 18 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed without a license (Idaho Code §18-3302(4)). Idaho still issues two Concealed Weapons License classes through county sheriffs: the Standard CWL and the Enhanced CWL. The Enhanced CWL (mandatory 8-hour training including live fire, minimum age 21, Idaho Code §18-3302K) is more widely recognized by other states — several honor only the Enhanced version — so it is the class worth holding for out-of-state travel. Idaho itself honors all other states' validly issued and current concealed weapons licenses/permits, with no residency or class restriction on incoming permits.

Idaho Concealed Weapons License (CWL)

Issuing authority
Idaho County Sheriffs (reciprocity maintained by Idaho State Police — Bureau of Criminal Identification)
Carry regime
constitutional
Minimum age
21
Fee
$20
Training
Required
Validity
5 years

Full Idaho permit requirements →

Permit classes

Standard CWL

Minimum age
21

Enhanced CWL

For reciprocity travel
Minimum age
21
Training
Required — 8 hours — State-approved course of at least 8 hours including at least 98 rounds fired live (Idaho Code §18-3302K).

Some states honor only Idaho's Enhanced CWL, not the Standard CWL.

Carry practicalities

Permitless carry

Allowed — minimum age 18

Permitless concealed carry is legal in Idaho for anyone 18 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm; no license is required and residency is not required (Idaho Code §18-3302(4)).

official source · verified 2026-07-09

Open carry

Permitless

Open carry is legal in Idaho without a license for anyone who may lawfully possess a firearm (Idaho Code §18-3302).

official source · verified 2026-07-09

Duty to inform

Not required

Idaho imposes no statutory duty to proactively inform a law enforcement officer that you are carrying a concealed weapon.

official source · verified 2026-07-09

Off-limits locations

  • K-12 public and private schools
  • courthouses
  • juvenile detention facilities
  • jails and adult correctional facilities

Curated key categories, not exhaustive. Courthouses, juvenile detention facilities, jails and correctional facilities are prohibited under Idaho Code §18-3302C; K-12 school property is restricted under Idaho Code §18-3302D. Federal facilities and private property where the owner prohibits carry are also off-limits.

official source · verified 2026-07-09

Idaho formally recognizes 50 states' permits · an Idaho permit is honored by 38 states.

Idaho reciprocity


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Idaho FAQ

Does Idaho have constitutional carry?
Yes. Idaho is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The CWL remains available and is still worth holding for reciprocity in states that don't recognize permitless carry.
How much does an Idaho CWL cost?
The CWL application fee in Idaho is $20. Original license fee is $20.00; renewal is $15.00, plus fingerprint/materials charges.
Does Idaho honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?
Idaho honors concealed-carry permits from 50 other states, subject to the qualifiers (resident-only or permit-class restrictions) noted on each reciprocity pair. See the full inbound list on the "who Idaho honors" page.
Where is an Idaho CWL honored?
A Idaho CWL is honored by 38 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.
How long is an Idaho CWL valid?
A Idaho CWL is valid for 5 years before renewal is required.