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.
North DakotaConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity
North Dakota allows constitutional (permitless) concealed carry for residents since 2017 (HB 1169): a North Dakota resident 18 or older who has held a valid ND driver's license or state ID for at least a year and may lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed within the state without a license. Constitutional carry does not confer out-of-state reciprocity — for that you need a license. North Dakota issues a Concealed Weapon License through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in two classes, Class 1 and Class 2; both are equally valid in North Dakota, and the only difference is reciprocity — the Class 1 license (which adds a proficiency shooting test) is honored by more states. Licenses are valid for five years. North Dakota is a duty-to-inform state: a person carrying, whether under constitutional carry or a license, must tell a law enforcement officer they have a firearm on in-person contact. North Dakota honors licenses from a mutual list of 39 states.
North Dakota North Dakota Concealed Weapon License (CWL)
- Issuing authority
- North Dakota Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
- Carry regime
- constitutional
- Minimum age
- 18
- Fee
- $60
- Training
- Required
- Validity
- 5 years
Permit classes
Class 1 Concealed Weapon License
For reciprocity travel- Minimum age
- 18
Adds a proficiency shooting test; recognized by more states. Several states (e.g. Washington, Minnesota, Nevada) honor the North Dakota Class 1 license ONLY.
Class 2 Concealed Weapon License
- Minimum age
- 18
No shooting test; equally valid inside North Dakota but recognized by fewer states.
Carry practicalities
Permitless carry
Allowed — minimum age 18 (residents only)
North Dakota allows constitutional (permitless) concealed carry only for RESIDENTS (since 2017, HB 1169): a North Dakota resident 18 or older who has held a valid ND driver's license or state ID for at least one year, and who may lawfully possess a firearm, may carry concealed within North Dakota without a license. Non-residents must have a recognized out-of-state license. Constitutional carry does not confer reciprocity.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Open carry
Restricted
Open carry of a firearm in North Dakota is restricted: carrying a loaded handgun openly in a public place generally requires a concealed weapon license or eligibility under resident constitutional carry; an unloaded handgun may be carried more freely. Open carry remains subject to the prohibited-place restrictions of N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-04/05.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Duty to inform
Required
North Dakota IS a duty-to-inform state. A person carrying a firearm — whether under the constitutional-carry provision or a concealed weapon license — must inform a law enforcement officer that they are in possession of a firearm on any in-person contact (N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03.1; 62.1-04-03). This is an affirmative, proactive notification duty.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Off-limits locations
- K-12 school and public-gathering premises (N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-05)
- churches or places of worship, unless carry is authorized
- government/publicly owned buildings where prohibited
- portions of establishments licensed to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption
- gaming/gambling sites
- the secured (past-screening) areas of airports
- private property and businesses that prohibit carry
- places where carrying a firearm is prohibited by federal law
Curated key categories, not exhaustive. Prohibited places are set out in N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-04 and 62.1-02-05 (including schools, public gatherings, churches, liquor establishments, and gaming sites). Private-property owners may prohibit carry.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
North Dakota reciprocity summary
North Dakota honors 38 states' permits · honored by 38 states
Where a North Dakota permit is honored →Whose permits North Dakota honors →
Last verified 2026-07-10 against North Dakota Attorney General — Concealed Weapon License Reciprocity.
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Get notified when your state's reciprocity changes.
North Dakota FAQ
- Does North Dakota have constitutional carry?
- Yes. North Dakota 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 a North Dakota CWL cost?
- The CWL application fee in North Dakota is $60. Approximately $60 for a Class 1 license; the Class 2 license and renewals differ (confirm current amounts with the NDBCI). Class 1 renewal requires retaking all training and testing every five years.
- Does North Dakota honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?
- North Dakota honors concealed-carry permits from 38 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 North Dakota honors" page.
- Where is a North Dakota CWL honored?
- A North Dakota 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 a North Dakota CWL valid?
- A North Dakota CWL is valid for 5 years before renewal is required.