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.
West VirginiaConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity
West Virginia is a permitless (constitutional) carry state as of 2016 (SB 347). A person 21 or older who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident and not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a concealed handgun without a license (W. Va. Code §61-7-3). West Virginia still issues a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) through the sheriff of the applicant's county in two classes: the standard CHL for applicants 21 and older (§61-7-4) and the Provisional CHL for applicants 18–20 (§61-7-4a, a $15 fee). The standard license requires a firearms training course, fingerprints, and a fee, and is valid for five years. Open carry is lawful without a license, and West Virginia has no duty to inform. Under §61-7-6a, West Virginia recognizes a valid concealed handgun license from any other state.
West Virginia West Virginia Concealed Handgun License (CHL)
- Issuing authority
- West Virginia County Sheriffs
- Carry regime
- constitutional
- Minimum age
- 21
- Fee
- $75
- Training
- Required
- Validity
- 5 years
Permit classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL)
For reciprocity travel- Minimum age
- 21
The standard West Virginia CHL (§61-7-4) for applicants 21+.
Provisional Concealed Handgun License
- Minimum age
- 18
For applicants 18–20 (§61-7-4a); recognized by fewer states than the standard CHL.
Carry practicalities
Permitless carry
Allowed — minimum age 21
West Virginia has permitless (constitutional) carry since 2016 (SB 347). A person 21 or older who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident and not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a concealed handgun without a license (W. Va. Code §61-7-3). A person 18–20 must obtain a Provisional CHL to carry concealed.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Open carry
Permitless
Open carry of a firearm is lawful in West Virginia without a license for a person 18 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm. Open carry remains subject to the prohibited-place restrictions (schools, courthouses, the Capitol complex) and to private-property rules.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Duty to inform
Not required
West Virginia imposes no statutory duty to proactively notify a law enforcement officer that you are carrying. A license holder should present the license if asked, but there is no proactive notification requirement.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Off-limits locations
- K-12 school buildings, grounds, and school buses (W. Va. Code §61-7-11a)
- courthouses and court facilities
- the State Capitol complex and grounds where prohibited
- law enforcement facilities and detention facilities
- 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. School premises are governed by W. Va. Code §61-7-11a; the Capitol complex and courthouses are separately restricted. Private-property owners may prohibit carry.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
West Virginia reciprocity summary
West Virginia honors 49 states' permits · honored by 35 states
Where a West Virginia permit is honored →Whose permits West Virginia honors →
Last verified 2026-07-10 against West Virginia Attorney General — Concealed Handgun Guide.
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Get notified when your state's reciprocity changes.
West Virginia FAQ
- Does West Virginia have constitutional carry?
- Yes. West Virginia is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The CHL remains available and is still worth holding for reciprocity in states that don't recognize permitless carry.
- How much does a West Virginia CHL cost?
- The CHL application fee in West Virginia is $75. About $75 for a standard CHL (fee split between the sheriff and the state). The Provisional CHL (ages 18–20) fee is $15 (§61-7-4a).
- Does West Virginia honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?
- West Virginia honors concealed-carry permits from 49 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 West Virginia honors" page.
- Where is a West Virginia CHL honored?
- A West Virginia CHL is honored by 35 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.
- How long is a West Virginia CHL valid?
- A West Virginia CHL is valid for 5 years before renewal is required.