Is a North Carolina Resident Permit Valid in Washington?

Why

• Washington's official reciprocity list includes North Carolina.

AG list as of 2026-07-10. Permit-class limits: Idaho ENHANCED permits only; Kansas standard licenses only; Montana ENHANCED permits only (not 18-20 restricted permits); North Dakota CLASS 1 permits only; South Dakota unrestricted ENHANCED and GOLD permits only; Utah permits recognized EXCLUDING provisional (under-21) permits. RCW 9.41.073 requires the issuing state to recognize WA CPLs, not license under-21s, and require a fingerprint-based criminal and mental-health background check; holder residency in the issuing state is not a statutory condition.

Carry rules in Washington

Crossing into Washington swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.

• No statutory duty to proactively tell an officer you are carrying; the CPL must be in your possession while carrying a concealed pistol and presented on demand.
• Washington sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Washington is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Washington recognizes.
• A loaded pistol in a vehicle requires a CPL and must be on the licensee's person, or the licensee must remain in the vehicle, or the pistol must be locked in the vehicle and concealed from view when the licensee leaves; without a CPL the pistol must be unloaded, and if left in the vehicle, locked and hidden from view (RCW 9.41.050).

Off-limits places in Washington

• Restricted areas of jails, law enforcement facilities and courthouses/courtrooms (RCW 9.41.300)
• Licensed inpatient psychiatric facilities (RCW 9.41.300)
• Portions of bars/restaurants off-limits to persons under 21 (RCW 9.41.300 — applies even with a CPL)
• Areas beyond airport security checkpoints (RCW 9.41.300)
• Public and private K-12 school premises (RCW 9.41.280)
• Libraries, zoos, aquariums and transit stations — but CPL holders are EXEMPT from these four (RCW 9.41.300(14))

Frequently asked questions

Is a North Carolina resident permit valid in Washington?

Your permit travels with you here: Washington recognizes North Carolina resident permits, so concealed carry is legal for you under Washington's rules.

Do I have to tell police in Washington that I am carrying?

No statutory duty to proactively tell an officer you are carrying; the CPL must be in your possession while carrying a concealed pistol and presented on demand.

Does Washington limit magazine capacity?

Washington sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Where does Washington publish its official reciprocity list?

Washington 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.