Concealed Carry Permit Florida

The Florida Concealed Carry Permit

The Florida concealed carry permit — formally called the Concealed Weapons License (CWL) by the state — is issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). It allows the holder to legally carry a concealed firearm in public in Florida and in every state that has reciprocity with Florida. More than 2.5 million Floridians currently hold a CWL, and Florida remains one of the most respected permit systems in the country.

USS Academy has been training Florida CWL applicants since 1997. Over 27 years we have prepared more than 29,000 Florida residents to meet the state training requirement under Florida Statute 790.06(2)(h) and submit their application. Every class is taught by certified instructors with operational experience — Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, U.S. Marine Corps, NRA, USCCA, and Florida Class K License credentials.

Florida CWL Eligibility Requirements

Before enrolling in a training class, confirm you meet FDACS eligibility requirements.

• Age. 21 years or older, or 18 with qualifying military service.
• Citizenship. U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Legal status. Legally able to possess a firearm under federal and Florida law. No disqualifying criminal or mental-health history.
• Training. Completion of a certified training course that includes live-fire instruction. USS Academy's class satisfies this requirement.
• No disqualifying convictions. Domestic violence, felony, or specific disqualifying misdemeanors will prevent issuance.
• Florida residency not required. Non-residents who meet the other eligibility criteria may apply.

The State Training Requirement

Florida Statute 790.06(2)(h) requires applicants to demonstrate competency with a firearm. The statute lists several ways to satisfy this requirement, but the most common path — and the one we provide — is completion of a certified training course that includes live-fire qualification.

USS Academy's class is in-person, includes a classroom session covering Florida law, and concludes with a live-fire qualification on a licensed partner range. Every student who completes the class receives a Certificate of Completion the same day. You take that certificate with your application to FDACS or a county tax collector's office to complete the submission. Classroom-only online courses without live-fire do not satisfy the Florida requirement.

From Training to Permit in Hand

The application process is straightforward after training is complete. Here are the steps from enrollment through receiving your permit.

Carry Privileges in Other States

Florida has reciprocity agreements with approximately 37 states, meaning a Florida CWL allows you to legally carry concealed in those states as long as you follow that state's laws. Reciprocity lists change — states add and remove agreements regularly — so always check FDACS before traveling with a firearm across state lines.

We cover current reciprocity during the classroom session of the CWL class, including non-reciprocal states, the most common travel pitfalls, and the legal differences that matter when you cross state lines. Students leave the class understanding where their Florida permit works, where it does not, and what to check before every trip.

Constitutional Carry in Florida

Florida enacted permitless concealed carry in July 2023. Lawful firearm owners who meet the underlying eligibility requirements may now carry concealed in Florida without a state-issued permit. This is sometimes called constitutional carry.

The CWL remains valuable and is still widely held for several reasons: the license provides reciprocity with dozens of other states, serves as an official identification of your firearm-carry status, and allows firearm purchases without the typical waiting period. Whether you intend to apply for the permit or not, the training is valuable. USS Academy's class gives you the same Florida law education and live-fire qualification regardless of which carry model you choose.

Build on Your Florida CWL

Your permit is the starting point. Here is what to consider next.

Frequently Asked Questions