How to Get a California CCW in Riverside County

Riverside County is Friendly to CCW Issuance

You may have heard the news that the policies regarding California Concealed Carry Weapon Licenses, also known as “CCW Permits,” have become less restrictive throughout California and you’d like to know how to go about obtaining one. Without going into the full history of the court cases that brought about these changes, the summary is that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 23, 2022 in the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen case that the 2nd Amendment extends to the right for protection outside of the home. The justices ruled 6-3 that it was unconstitutional to require a special need in order to obtain a CCW permit. Effectively, the California Attorney General quickly issued an alert directing all law enforcement agencies that issue permits to stop requiring a “Good Cause” reason from applicants. It is yet to be seen what additional requirements may be added by way of demonstrating “Good Moral Character” or what new “sensitive areas” may be added to the list of prohibited locations to carry firearms, but the current situation has seen a rapid expansion in issuance of licenses throughout California.

Residents of Riverside County may apply for a Concealed Carry Weapon permit through the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. When granted, the applicant will be legally permitted to carry a loaded and concealed handgun in public within California, with the exception of certain restricted locations where firearms are prohibited by law. Many people are still hesitant to apply because they assume the process is complicated, but the process is actually very straightforward. The following steps will guide you through it.

To read the Riverside County Sheriff’s CCW policy and FAQs, click HERE.

1. Start Your Application Online

Go online and begin your CCW application through the Riverside County Sheriff’s Permitium portal. Click HERE. During this process you will complete the California Department of Justice Concealed Carry Weapon License Application and upload your supporting documents.

2. Gather Your Proof of Residency Documents

You will need documentation showing that you currently reside in Riverside County. This typically includes documents such as utility bills, mortgage statements, lease agreements, or vehicle registration paperwork. Your California Driver License or California ID card should also reflect your current Riverside County address. Post office boxes are generally not accepted as proof of residency.

3. Schedule and Complete Your Live Scan Fingerprinting

Riverside County recommends that applicants complete their Live Scan fingerprinting before the interview appointment. However, you must first begin your application through the Permitium website and obtain your order number before completing Live Scan fingerprinting. The Permitium order number must be written on the Live Scan form in the designated area. You can download the Riverside County Live Scan form directly from the Sheriff’s website HERE and take it to any authorized Live Scan provider. Many UPS Stores and independent fingerprinting businesses provide this service, but it’s a good idea to call ahead first.

The Department of Justice processing time can vary from a few days to several weeks depending on workload and background history. Riverside County specifically advises applicants not to complete a second Live Scan unless instructed to do so by their investigator.

4. Complete Your Required CCW Training Course

California law now requires a minimum 16-hour training course for new CCW applicants and an 8-hour course for renewals. The DOJ also requires all courses to include a live-fire qualification with every firearm that will be listed on your permit. Riverside County currently allows a maximum of 6 firearms on a permit, and all firearms must be registered to the applicant through the California Department of Justice.

Training must be completed through one of the Sheriff’s approved training providers, which can be found HERE. You do not necessarily have to wait until after your interview to complete the course, although many applicants prefer to do so after their application is underway.

5. Attend Your Interview Appointment

After submitting your application, you will schedule an interview appointment through the Permitium system. Riverside County currently conducts appointments at both the Riverside and Palm Desert CCW offices. The interview itself is fast and not what many people expect. The investigator primarily just reviews your application, verify documentation, and discuss any questions or clarifications that may be needed.

6. Upload Your Training Certificates and Final Documents

Once your training course and firearm qualifications are completed, upload your training certificates and any remaining requested documents to the Permitium portal. Riverside County will review all documentation, verify receipt of your DOJ background results, and finalize the application review process.

7. Receive Approval and Pick Up Your Permit

Once approved, you will receive notification to pay the final issuance fee. After payment, your permit will be prepared for pickup at the Sheriff’s office. You must wait until you physically receive the permit before carrying a concealed firearm under your CCW privileges. Processing times vary depending on application volume and DOJ response times. Some applicants have reported completing the process in as little as 2–3 weeks when all paperwork, Live Scan results, and training documents were submitted quickly.

Currently, Riverside County charges:

$113 initial application fee for a standard 2-year permit (includes DOJ Live Scan fee and Sheriff processing fee)
$80 issuance fee upon approval
$77 renewal fee for standard renewals
$10 modification fee for address changes or firearm changes

Additional processing or credit card service fees may apply through the Permitium system.

Approved Training Providers are listed on the Sheriff’s website and classes average between $300-$600. Research the firearms instructor teaching the course because not all classes provide the same quality of instruction. At Hansen’s Firearms Training, we provide excellent handgun training with a focus on scenario-based exercises. Unique to our training is also the option to take our “blended learning” online classroom course. Riverside County approves of this version of teaching, which greatly reduces the amount of in-person time you spend in a physical classroom and allows you to do the bulk of your training around your availability. Our courses start at $275 per student for online blended learning courses and $350 for all “in-person” classes. Live Scan fingerprinting may also be available on-site (contact us for availability). Please contact us with any questions. We’d love to show you why our classes are the best value and training experience in Riverside County. Sign up today!