Non-Resident permit · WV → ID
Is a West Virginia Non-Resident Permit Valid in Idaho?
Recognized — and permitless carry appliesVerified 2026-08-08
Yes. Idaho is a permitless-carry state that also honors West Virginia non-resident permits. Carrying on the permit keeps things simpler in some situations, such as school-zone rules under federal law.
Why
- Idaho recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
- Idaho allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
Idaho AG: out-of-state concealed weapons licenses are recognized ('Yes'), with the condition that 'while in Idaho, you must carry the license on your person at all times when carrying a concealed weapon' (Idaho Code 18-3302(5)(g)). No residency or permit-type restriction is stated; permitless carry independently covers US-citizen visitors 18+.
The permit (West Virginia)
- Permit
- Concealed Handgun License (CHL)
- Issued by
- County sheriff (residents apply in their county of residence; non-residents may apply to any county sheriff)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- Yes — Since early-2021 law changes, non-residents may obtain a WV CHL by applying to any county sheriff of their choice with the same requirements as residents (live-fire training, fees). Provisional CHLs (18-20) are limited to WV residents.
The destination (Idaho)
- Recognition policy
- Honors permits from all states
- Permitless carry
- Yes (18+)
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in Idaho
Whatever your permit status, Idaho law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.
- No proactive duty-to-inform requirement appears in the AG's official concealed-weapons guidance; carriers relying on an out-of-state license must have it with them when carrying. Cross-checked: Idaho has no must-inform statute.
- Idaho sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Idaho allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Anyone eligible for permitless carry (US citizen or armed forces member 18+, not disqualified) may carry a loaded concealed handgun in a vehicle without a license.
Off-limits places in Idaho
- Courthouses
- Juvenile detention facilities
- Adult correctional facilities, prisons and jails
- Public and private schools
Frequently asked questions
- Is a West Virginia non-resident permit valid in Idaho?
- Yes. Idaho is a permitless-carry state that also honors West Virginia non-resident permits. Carrying on the permit keeps things simpler in some situations, such as school-zone rules under federal law.
- Do I have to tell police in Idaho that I am carrying?
- No proactive duty-to-inform requirement appears in the AG's official concealed-weapons guidance; carriers relying on an out-of-state license must have it with them when carrying. Cross-checked: Idaho has no must-inform statute.
- Does Idaho limit magazine capacity?
- Idaho sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Can I carry in Idaho without any permit?
- Idaho allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Where does Idaho publish its official reciprocity list?
- Idaho publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.
Official sources
- Idaho Office of the Attorney General - Concealed Weapons — accessed 2026-08-08
- WV Attorney General — Gun Reciprocity Frequently Asked Questions — accessed 2026-08-08
- WV Attorney General — On The Mark: A Guide to Concealed Handgun Laws in West Virginia (July 2024, incl. full text of W. Va. Code § 61-7-6a) — accessed 2026-08-08
- WV Attorney General — Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map, as of October 1, 2025 — accessed 2026-08-08