As of July 1, 2019, if you are over 18 years of age, an Idaho resident, and not disqualified from owning or possessing firearms or disqualified under section 11 of Idaho Code 18-3302, subject to restrictions per Idaho Code, you will not need a concealed weapons license to carry concealed in Idaho.
What class you would want to take depends on which license you are getting: standard or enhanced. To get the standard concealed weapons license, just about any firearms safety class will do. You can take any NRA class, USCCA class, Hunter’s Education, Military training, on-line training, or other training which the sheriff deems appropriate. Again, this will only get you the standard concealed weapons license. Again, BEWARE: On-line classes will only get you the standard concealed weapons license (See “Which license should I get?”). If you want to get the enhanced concealed weapons license, you need to take a class specific to getting your enhanced. Those classes are in person, no on-line, with classroom and range time. These classes are not offered by our Sheriff’s Office, but are available from several vendors in the area.
Idaho Code 18-3302C (1) shall not: Carry a concealed weapon in a courthouse; juvenile detention facility or jail; public or private school, except as provided in subsection (4)(f) of section 18-3302D. Concealed weapons, per U.S. Code 930, are not allowed in Federal facilities, including the Post Office. The Enhanced Concealed Weapons License will still be needed to carry on a college campus, subject to restrictions (see Idaho Code 18-3309- 2-a).
Idaho has two different concealed weapons licenses: The Standard Concealed Weapons License (CWL) and the Enhanced Concealed Weapons License (ECWL). As stated above, you will still need the ECWL to carry on a college campus. When you travel out of state you will still need either the CWL or ECWL. The ECWL offers the carrying ability in more states. To see the list of states where each concealed is honored, click on the following link (and scroll the page): https://isp.idaho.gov/bci/concealed-weapons/ . A person twenty-one (21) years of age or older who presents a valid CWL or ECWL are exempt from any requirement to undergo a records check at the time of purchase or transfer of a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer.
You have to be 21 years of age to obtain a concealed weapons license. Persons 18-20 years of age can obtain a Standard Underage CWL with the required training. The required training is the same as the Enhanced Concealed Weapons License training. The Underage CWL will be “easily distinguishable” from a Standard or Enhanced CWL, and will expire on their 21 st birthday and renewal will be allowed for the Enhanced CWL. The underage CWL DOES NOT have the same reciprocity as a CWL or ECWL. Again, for college campuses you MUST have an ECWL to carry. The majority of other states do not honor concealed weapons licenses issued to those under 21, so you cannot use the Underage CWL outside of the state of Idaho.
A note about the underage concealed: The underage concealed was developed and went into effect July 1, 2016. It was developed so those 18 to 20 could carry inside city limits in the state of Idaho. Since permit-less carry for those 18 to 20 years of age went into effect July 1, 2019, it has effectively rendered the underage concealed license useless. It cannot be used in firearms purchase, does not have the same reciprocity in other states as the standard or enhanced CWL, and is no longer needed to carry within city limits. If you have questions about the underage CWL, please call Lt. Wiggins.
In Idaho we have two different concealed weapons licenses: Standard and Enhanced. Most people are getting the Enhanced CWL. It is honored in more states than the Standard CWL and allows carrying on a college campus here in Idaho. Another consideration; IF things become more stringent in state for residents, you are less likely to lose abilities with the enhanced vs. the standard. For those who have the standard CWL, you may consider upgrading to the enhanced so you have the most abilities in the most places. Also, with the exception of purchasing firearms, the standard concealed weapons license has no use in the state of Idaho since we are permit-less carry. The vast majority who hold the standard CWL are upgrading. If you are upgrading, once you have taken the class, we will run through the entire process like a new concealed: paperwork, fingerprints, pay and picture. The process of obtaining a new concealed weapons license (either) takes about 2 to 6 weeks, and can be up to 90 days. When renewing a CWL it can take up to a 30 days. Plan appropriately should you be planning to be gone from the area. We are obligated to follow time constraints set by state law.
For the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, all concealed weapons licensing is handled by Lt. Michael Wiggins. Initial applications are done by appointment. Because of the number of CWL’s being processed, the appointment ensures there is no waiting to process your paperwork and getting your fingerprints. There is no interview. It also allows you to ask any questions you might have in regard to carrying. Lt. Wiggins’ direct number is below in the contact information. If you are upgrading from the standard to the enhanced concealed, you will complete the process as if you are getting a CWL for the first time: Set an appointment, paperwork, fingerprints, etc. New CWL’s applications (standard or enhanced) the cost is $56.10 ($36.10 for State/Federal fees, $20.00 for Sheriff’s Office fees). For renewals of CWL’s, no appointment is necessary. A completed CWL application can be submitted to a clerk at Twin Falls Driver’s License. Renewal CWL’s (standard or enhanced) the cost is $37.85 ($20.00 for State check, 15.00 for Sheriff’s Office check, $2.85 for issue fee).
Set an appointment. Bring in completed application, proof of firearms training, driver’s license or ID.
Set an appointment. Bring in completed application, certificate of training from Enhanced CWL class and driver’s license.
No appointment necessary. Bring in completed, unsigned application. Get in line just like you are getting a license. Next available clerk will be able to assist you. Signing will occur in clerk’s presents.
(at the DMV-Driver’s License side)
630 Addison Ave. W., Twin Falls, Idaho 83301
P.O. Box AE, Twin Falls, Idaho 83303
Lt. Michael Wiggins – (208) 735- 4866
Further instructions are available on the application below.