Kentucky Concealed Carry Laws & Reciprocity
A Kentucky resident permit (Kentucky Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) License) is honored in 36 of the other 50 US jurisdictions, and 1 more allows permitless carry even though it does not recognize the permit itself. In 34 of those 36, recognition has conditions (such as holder age or permit class), marked in the lists below. In the other direction, Kentucky recognizes valid carry permits from every US state. Kentucky does not honor them when the holder lives in Kentucky. Kentucky allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
Kentucky concealed carry reciprocity map
Where a Kentucky resident permit is valid. Each state links to the rules for that trip.
- Permit honored
- Honored + permitless carry
- Permitless carry only
- Not honored
- Confirm case-by-case
- Kentucky
Which states honor a Kentucky CCDW? (36)
Alabama (not the under-21 provisional license), Alaska (not the under-21 provisional license), Arizona (not the under-21 provisional license), Arkansas (not the under-21 provisional license), Colorado (not the under-21 provisional license), Delaware (not the under-21 provisional license), Florida (not the under-21 provisional license), Georgia (not the under-21 provisional license), Idaho (not the under-21 provisional license), Indiana (not the under-21 provisional license), Iowa (not the under-21 provisional license), Kansas (not the under-21 provisional license), Louisiana (not the under-21 provisional license), Maine (not the under-21 provisional license), Michigan (not the under-21 provisional license), Minnesota (not the under-21 provisional license), Mississippi (not the under-21 provisional license), Missouri (not the under-21 provisional license), Montana (not the under-21 provisional license), Nebraska (not the under-21 provisional license), Nevada (not the under-21 provisional license), New Hampshire, North Carolina (not the under-21 provisional license), North Dakota (not the under-21 provisional license), Ohio (not the under-21 provisional license), Oklahoma (not the under-21 provisional license), Pennsylvania (not the under-21 provisional license), South Dakota (not the under-21 provisional license), Tennessee (not the under-21 provisional license), Texas (not the under-21 provisional license), Utah (not the under-21 provisional license), Vermont, Virginia (not the under-21 provisional license), West Virginia (not the under-21 provisional license), Wisconsin (not the under-21 provisional license), Wyoming (not the under-21 provisional license)
Where a Kentucky permit is not honored (14)
Permitless carry still applies (1): South Carolina
No lawful carry on this permit (13): California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington
Where a Kentucky permit is honored, state by state
Click any destination for the full rules — duty to inform, magazine limits, off-limits places, and official sources.
* a load-bearing fact could not be fully verified — confirm with the official source before carrying.
Whose permits Kentucky honors
Kentucky recognizes valid concealed-carry permits from every US state and DC. Kentucky does not honor them when the holder lives in Kentucky.
KSP: 'A person who is not a resident of Kentucky and who has a valid license issued by another state... may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky.' Recognition covers deadly weapons generally, not just handguns. New Kentucky residents' out-of-state licenses stay valid for 120 days if they file the KSP form within 60 days of moving.
Kentucky at a glance
- Permit
- Kentucky Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) License · Provisional License to Carry Concealed Deadly Weapons (ages 18-20, Kentucky-only validity)
- Issued by
- Kentucky State Police (KRS 237.110)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Resident minimum age
- 21
- Non-resident permits
- Not issued
- Permitless carry
- Yes (21+)
- Duty to inform
- No
- Magazine limit
- None
Can you carry in Kentucky without a permit?
Kentucky allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
Permitless concealed carry since June 2019 (SB 150): any person 21+ eligible to possess a firearm under US and Kentucky law may carry concealed, in the same locations as CCDW licensees.
Is Kentucky an open carry state?
Yes. Kentucky allows open carry of a handgun without a permit for people who may legally possess one.
Kentucky has no license for open carry, and adults who may legally have a gun can carry openly. Schools and places that serve alcohol are the main exceptions. Concealed carry without a license starts at 21.
How to get a Kentucky concealed carry permit
- Minimum age
- 21
- Fee
- $60 paper application through the sheriff · $70 online application to Kentucky State Police
- Training
- A firearms safety or training course taught by an instructor certified by a national organization (such as the NRA, USCCA or NSSF) with written tests, in-person instruction and live fire, or a course offered or approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training (up to 8 hours, firing up to 20 rounds at a silhouette target with at least 11 hits).
- Valid for
- 5 years
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue (must be granted if you qualify)
Applicants must be at least 21, and the license is for Kentucky residents and certain military members posted in Kentucky.
Does Kentucky issue non-resident permits?
No. Kentucky does not issue carry permits to non-residents. Kentucky residents (or US citizens / lawfully admitted persons on active military duty assigned to a Kentucky posting) only - KSP CCDW qualifications.
Do you have to tell police you are carrying in Kentucky?
No Kentucky statute or KSP guidance imposes a proactive duty to inform an officer that you are carrying.
Carrying in a vehicle in Kentucky
A firearm in any enclosed container, compartment or storage space installed as original equipment (e.g. glove box or console) is not considered concealed and is lawful for anyone who may possess it, loaded or not; persons 21+ may also carry on-body permitless.
Where you can't carry in Kentucky
- Police stations and sheriff's offices
- Detention facilities, prisons and jails
- Courthouses and courtrooms
- Portions of establishments primarily devoted to selling alcoholic beverages
- Meetings of governing bodies of local governments and the General Assembly
- Elementary/secondary schools, child-care facilities and secured airport areas
Editor's verification notes
HB 312 (2026 Acts ch. 173, veto overridden 2026-04-14, effective 2026-07-15 under the 90-day rule): Kentucky State Police issue provisional licenses to residents 18-20, valid throughout Kentucky until age 21. Other states' recognition of the provisional license is not established. The standard license age (21) is kept as the minimum, matching how Utah and West Virginia record their provisional licenses.
Frequently asked questions
- Which states honor a Kentucky carry permit?
- Alabama (not the under-21 provisional license), Alaska (not the under-21 provisional license), Arizona (not the under-21 provisional license), Arkansas (not the under-21 provisional license), Colorado (not the under-21 provisional license), Delaware (not the under-21 provisional license), Florida (not the under-21 provisional license), Georgia (not the under-21 provisional license), Idaho (not the under-21 provisional license), Indiana (not the under-21 provisional license), Iowa (not the under-21 provisional license), Kansas (not the under-21 provisional license), Louisiana (not the under-21 provisional license), Maine (not the under-21 provisional license), Michigan (not the under-21 provisional license), Minnesota (not the under-21 provisional license), Mississippi (not the under-21 provisional license), Missouri (not the under-21 provisional license), Montana (not the under-21 provisional license), Nebraska (not the under-21 provisional license), Nevada (not the under-21 provisional license), New Hampshire, North Carolina (not the under-21 provisional license), North Dakota (not the under-21 provisional license), Ohio (not the under-21 provisional license), Oklahoma (not the under-21 provisional license), Pennsylvania (not the under-21 provisional license), South Dakota (not the under-21 provisional license), Tennessee (not the under-21 provisional license), Texas (not the under-21 provisional license), Utah (not the under-21 provisional license), Vermont, Virginia (not the under-21 provisional license), West Virginia (not the under-21 provisional license), Wisconsin (not the under-21 provisional license), Wyoming (not the under-21 provisional license). The table on this page links to the detailed rules for each destination.
- Does Kentucky recognize out-of-state carry permits?
- KSP: 'A person who is not a resident of Kentucky and who has a valid license issued by another state... may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky.' Recognition covers deadly weapons generally, not just handguns. New Kentucky residents' out-of-state licenses stay valid for 120 days if they file the KSP form within 60 days of moving.
Official sources
- Kentucky State Police - CCDW Reciprocity — accessed 2026-08-08
- Kentucky State Police - CCDW FAQs — accessed 2026-08-08
- Kentucky State Police - CCDW Qualifications — accessed 2026-08-08
- Kentucky General Assembly — 2026 RS HB 312 record (veto overridden, Acts ch. 173) — accessed 2026-09-27
- Kentucky General Assembly — HB 312 final (vetoed & overridden) bill text — accessed 2026-09-27
- KRS 237.110 (License to carry concealed deadly weapon), eff. July 1, 2025 — accessed 2026-09-27