Is a California Resident Permit Valid in North Dakota?

Why

• California is not on North Dakota's official reciprocity list.
• North Dakota allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

AG: 'North Dakota will honor a valid concealed carry license/permit (resident and non-resident) issued by a state that has agreed to recognize a North Dakota license' (NDCC 62.1-04-03.1) — the honored list above is the AG's list of states recognizing the ND Class 1 license. Separately, any adult 18+ with a valid US state/territory ID who may lawfully possess can carry permitless regardless of permits.

Carry rules in North Dakota

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter North Dakota, these rules replace the ones you know from California.

• Not proactive by statute: license carriers must produce the license for inspection upon an officer's request, and permitless carriers must disclose the firearm if the officer inquires and show state ID on request (NDCC 62.1-04-04; $20 noncriminal fee). The AG's Constitutional Carry page nonetheless instructs permitless carriers to inform law enforcement on any in-person contact — safest practice is to inform.
• North Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• North Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal for ND licensees, out-of-state reciprocity carriers, and permitless-eligible individuals carrying a valid state/territory ID (NDCC 62.1-02-10(3),(8)).

Off-limits places in North Dakota

North Dakota bans carry in 4 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Bar areas set aside for alcohol sale/consumption, and bingo gaming sites (NDCC 62.1-02-04)
• Schools and school-sponsored events on school property

See all 4 places you can't carry in North Dakota →

California vs North Dakota: what changes at the state line

Crossing from California into North Dakota changes 4 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (18+)); magazine limit (10 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (None → 39 states); open carry (Restricted → Yes, no permit).

Going the other way, a North Dakota resident permit in California: not recognized.

Permits that do work in North Dakota

These non-resident permits are honored in North Dakota, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Arizona non-resident permit · honored in 31 states

Driving on from North Dakota

How a California resident permit fares in the states bordering North Dakota:

• Minnesota — Recognized — carry with your permit
• Montana — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• South Dakota — Recognized — and permitless carry applies

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does North Dakota honor a California non-resident permit?

Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies. The answer is the same as for the resident permit on this page.

Can a North Dakota resident permit holder carry in California?

Not recognized. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on California's law, not North Dakota's.

Where does North Dakota publish its official reciprocity list?

North Dakota 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.