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PLEASE NOTE: Due to the increased volume of applications, The NEW Carry Concealed application process is taking approximately 180+ - days to complete. Applications are processed in the order they are received. You will receive an email if the Licensing Unit needs any additional information and/or documents when your application is being processed by our staff. If you have questions regaring your CCW application please email us at license@kernsheriff.org
Effective January 1, 2024:
Starting January 1, 2024, according to SB2, New CCW applicants must obtain a 16 hour course certificate after you have applied for a CCW with the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Renewal CCW applicants must obtain an 8 hour course certificate after you have applied for a CCW with the Kern County Sheriff's Office. This bill also requires the CCW course of training to include instruction on firearm handling, shooting technique, and to include a demonstration, by the applicant, of shooting proficiency and safe handling of each firearm the applicant will be licensed to carry. The training will include live-fire exercises conducted on a firing range. A licensing authority shall establish, and make available to the public, the standards it uses when issuing licenses with regards to the required live-fire shooting exercises, including, but not limited to, a minimum number of rounds to be fired and minimum passing scores from specified firing distances.
*All firearms need to be registered to the applicant and you are no longer allowed to use your spouses' pistols on your permits.
*Applicants must upload their birth certificate, course certificate and qualification card to their application prior to having the LiveScan conducted.
The minimum qualification course for The Kern County Sheriff's Office will be 12 rounds: 4 rounds at 5 yards, 2 rounds gun hand only then 2 rounds support hand only from 5 yards, and 4 rounds at 7 yards. The passing score is 75% which equals missing 3 rounds outside the bottle outline on a standard FBI-Q target or its equivalent. Vendors course of fire might be different but will include the minimum standard requirements.
On September 26, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom approved Senate Bill 2. SB2 went into effect on January 1st, 2024. This bill requires Initial training to be a minimum of 16 hours and Renewal training to be a minimum of eight hours. SB2 also amended the following Penal Codes: PC 171b, PC 171d, PC 171.5, PC 171.7, PC 626.9, PC 25610, PC 25850, PC 26150, PC 26155, PC 26165, PC 26170, PC 26175, PC 26185, PC 26190, PC 26195, PC 26200, PC 26205, PC 26210, PC 26220, PC 26225, PC 29805, and PC 30370. Senate Bill 2 will add Sections 25350, 26162, 26206, 26230 and 26235 along with 26202. Senate Bill 2 also states all firearms need to be registered to the applicant. A firearm registered to an applicant's spouse will no longer be allowed to be on a Concealed Carry Permit.
General Information
Learning the laws regulating the use of firearms is a must for responsible ownership. Local regulations differ and laws vary from state to state. Citizens must check with the jurisdiction where the firearm is to be used.
In California, the Sheriff and his staff are required to follow strict state and local guidelines when performing the necessary background checks for issuing Concealed Carry Weapon licenses. Due to the detailed nature involved with conducting these background checks, appointment times and processing times can take multiple weeks.
If the applicant is RENEWING a Concealed Carry Weapon license in Kern County, they may not apply until 30 days before the expiration date listed on their current Concealed Carry Weapon license.
***ALL CCW PERMIT HOLDERS MUST PICK UP THEIR PERMITS (APPOINTMENTS PERFERRED) FROM THE LICENSING UNIT LOCATED AT KERN THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HEADQUARTERS-1350 NORRIS RD., BAKERSFIELD, CA 93308. PERMITS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP AT SUBSTATIONS.**
Pricing
| Type of Permit | Standard 2 Year | Judicial 3 Year | Reserve 4 Year |
|
Initial Fee |
$169.00 inc. $93.00 DOJ LiveScan fee, $76.00 Sheriff Office Fee. plus $5.00 service fee plus credit card/debit processing fee |
$191.00 inc. $115.00 DOJ LiveScan fee, $76.00 Sheriff Office Fee. plus $5.00 service fee plus credit card/debit processing fee |
$137.00 inc. $137.00 DOJ LiveScan fee, plus $5.00 service fee plus credit card/debit processing fee |
| Renewal Fee | $62.00 | $84.00 | $96.00 |
| Duplicate/Modification Fee | $3.00 | $3.00 | $3.00 |
| Kern County Sheriff’s Office Approved CCW Courses CLICK HERE |
- For credit card transactions a nominal credit card transaction fee will be charged for each transaction. Charges will be viewable prior to transaction completion.
- Fingerprinting for Concealed Carry Weapons licenses is processed by appointments only Monday, Wednesday 8am-12pm and Tuesday, Thursday 12pm-4pm.
- Click the appropriate button on the left of the screen to proceed with an application for a Concealed Carry Weapon license.
- Approved CCW pickup permits are done by appointments during the hours we're open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm. However, we do accept walk-ins
Please visit the below website for further information regarding a Concealed Carry Weapon License in Kern County:
Gaining competency with firearms is like learning to drive a car or fly an airplane. You need expert instruction and practice. There is no shortcut. If you are not willing to invest the time and effort to become competent, then having a firearm and trying to use it can, in many instances, be more hazardous than any impending threat.
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NOTICE:
Our office is closed starting Wednesday 12/24/2025 through Friday 01/02/2026 and will return on Monday 01/05/2026.
Concealed Carry Weapon License Requirements: must meet ALL requirements
Authority
California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a Sheriff of a county or the Chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city, or city and county, may issue a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (Concealed Carry Weapon license). All training for a Concealed Carry Weapons permit must abide by Senate Bill 2 and Penal Codes 26165 and 31635.
Who Shall be Issued a License
The licensing authority specified in Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 shall issue a license to persons who are not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202, meet residential requirements, and have completed a course of training. All applicants for a Concealed Carry Weapon license will be fingerprinted and state and federal records will be checked to determine if they are eligible to possess firearms. Click here to view all categories that would prohibit a person from possessing firearms and being granted a Concealed Carry Weapon license.
Completing the Application
California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a sheriff of a county or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county shall issue a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (CCW license). Penal Code section 26175 requires the Attorney General to prescribe a statewide standard application form for a CCW license. Answering all the questions on the Application does not guarantee the issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. The determination whether to issue the license is at the discretion of the licensing authority. Pursuant to California Penal Code section 26160, each licensing authority will have a written policy summarizing their requirements for issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. In addition, prior to issuing a Concealed Weapon Permit, the California State Statutes require proof that:
- The applicant is not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202;
- The applicant is at least 21 years of age, and presents clear evidence of the person’s identity and age, as defined in Penal Code 16400;
- The applicant is a resident of that city or city and county. Prima facie evidence of residency within the county or a city within the county includes, but is not limited to, the address where the applicant is registered to vote, the applicant’s filing of a homeowner’s property tax exemption, and other acts, occurrences, or events that indicate presence in the county or a city within the county is more than temporary or transient. The presumption of residency in the county or city within the county may be rebutted by satisfactory evidence that the applicant’s primary residence is in another county or city within the county;
- The course of training prescribed by the licensing authority has been completed.
- The applicant is the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of the pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued.
Character References
You will need to provide the names and contact information of three persons willing to serve as references. One of the three must be a person described in Penal Code section 273.5, subdivision (b) (your spouse, or former spouse, your cohabitant or former cohabitant, your fiancée, or someone with whom you have, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, or the mother or father of your child), if applicable. At least one of the three must be your cohabitant if applicable.
Training Required
If applying for a NEW Concealed Carry Weapon license a course approved by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office must be completed prior to permit issuance. This course will be a minimum of 16 hours.
If applying for a RENEWAL Concealed Carry Weapon license, a 8 hour course approved by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office must be completed prior to permit issuance.
If applying for a MODIFICATION to your current Concealed Carry Weapon license that includes a firearm change, you will need to submit training certifications from a traning vendor approved by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
If applying for a NEW NON RESIDENT Concealed Carry Weapon license a course approved by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office must be completed prior to permit issuance. This course will be a minimum of 16 hours.
**ALL CCW PERMIT HOLDERS MUST PICK UP THEIR PERMITS (APPOINTMENTS PERFERRED) FROM THE LICENSING UNIT LOCATED AT KERN THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HEADQUARTERS-1350 NORRIS RD., BAKERSFIELD, CA 93308. PERMITS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP AT SUBSTATIONS.**
Prior To Filling Out This Application Be Prepare To Scan In:
1. Valid California driver’s license or California ID card
2. Two documents showing your current Kern County address, each from a different provider and dated within the last 60 days:
a. Current vehicle registration
b. Kern County voter registration
c. Kern County property tax statement
d. Rental or lease agreement with signatures of both the owner/landlord and tenant/resident, including residency term
e. Deed or title to residential real property
f. Mortgage or credit card statement
g. Residential utility bill (gas, water, electricity, solar, cable, internet, or cellular phone)
i. If any of the above are in a spouse’s name, they may be accepted with proof of marriage or legal domestic partnership.
h. Proof of Employment in Kern County
Two of the aforementioned documents must be provided in order to proceed with the application process. For proof of employment, you must provide a recent paystub with a signed letter from your manager/supervisor. If you are the business owner, you must provide your business license. All documents must match the home address you are currently living in. Your State ID must match your proofs of residency. Failure to do so may result in the denial of your application. This is a requirement set forth in Penal Code 26175(c)(3).
Renewal Requirements:
- State ID
- Eight (8) hour renewal course certificate
- Qualification card
- Current CCW permit
- Modification Applications Only - State ID, Qualification Card and current CCW Permit.
Be prepared to scan copies of any additional documentation required per Kern County Sheriff's Department CCW policy (i.e. business license, employer verification letter, etc.). Also, you will be required to submit the original copy of your CCW Permit to our office prior to your CCW permit being issued even if a scanned copy is submitted with your application.
For More Information, Contact:
Kern County Sheriff's Office
Address: 1350 Norris Road, Bakersfield, CA. 93308
Telephone: 661-391-7690
Fax: 661-391-7434
Website: www.kernsheriff.org
For Technical Support, Contact:
Permitium Software
Email: help@permitium.com