Is an Iowa Resident Permit Valid in North Dakota?

Why

• North Dakota's official reciprocity list includes Iowa.
• 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

Whatever your permit status, North Dakota law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.

• 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 →

Iowa vs North Dakota: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Iowa into North Dakota changes one rule: out-of-state permits honored (All states → 39 states).

Going the other way, a North Dakota resident permit in Iowa: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from North Dakota

How an Iowa resident permit fares in the states bordering North Dakota:

• Minnesota — Not recognized
• 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 an Iowa non-resident permit?

Recognized — and 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 Iowa?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Iowa'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.