Illinois requires all Concealed Carry License (CCL) applicants to satisfy a set of statutory eligibility criteria and complete 16 hours of approved firearms training before a license may be issued. These requirements, established under 430 ILCS 66/25 and 430 ILCS 66/75, are among the most rigorous in the nation and are administered by the Illinois State Police (ISP).[1] This article covers the full eligibility standards, disqualifying conditions, and the training curriculum that applicants must complete.
Eligibility Requirements (430 ILCS 66/25)
To qualify for an Illinois Concealed Carry License, an applicant must satisfy every eligibility criterion established in Section 25 of the Act. Failure to meet any single requirement results in denial of the application.[1]
Age and FOID Requirements
The applicant must be at least 21 years of age and possess a currently valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card issued by the Illinois State Police.[2] Unlike the FOID card -- which may be obtained at 18 with parental consent -- the CCL has no provision for applicants under 21.[3]
Disqualifying Conditions
The Act incorporates and expands upon the disqualifiers found in the FOID Act. An applicant is ineligible if they:[1]
- Have been convicted of any felony
- Have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force within the past 5 years
- Have two or more violations of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past 5 years
- Have been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental health facility
- Are addicted to narcotics
- Are intellectually or developmentally disabled
- Are the subject of a pending arrest warrant, prosecution, or proceeding for a disqualifying offense
Training Requirements (430 ILCS 66/75)
Section 75 of the Act mandates that all new CCL applicants complete 16 hours of firearms training from an ISP-approved instructor.[2] The training curriculum covers two distinct components: classroom instruction and live-fire qualification.
Classroom Instruction
The classroom portion covers firearm safety rules, fundamental operation of handguns, Illinois laws relating to the use of force, carrying in prohibited areas, and the responsibilities of a CCL holder when interacting with law enforcement.[1] Instruction must be delivered by an instructor certified by the ISP Office of Firearms Safety.[4]
Live-Fire Qualification
The live-fire component requires the applicant to fire 30 rounds total on a B-27 silhouette target at three distances: 10 rounds at 5 yards, 10 rounds at 7 yards, and 10 rounds at 10 yards. A minimum score of 70% accuracy (21 out of 30 total hits across all three distances combined) is required to pass.[1]
Prior Training Credit
Applicants who have completed prior firearms training may receive credit for up to 8 of the 16 required hours, provided the prior training meets ISP approval standards. This means all applicants must complete a minimum of 8 hours of new, state-specific training regardless of prior experience.[2]
Renewal Training
CCL holders must complete a 3-hour refresher training course when renewing their license. The refresher course may be taken up to 6 months before the renewal application is submitted. The renewal course covers updates to firearms law, a review of use-of-force principles, and live-fire proficiency.[1]
Application Processing
Once training is completed, the applicant submits their application electronically through the ISP Firearms Services Bureau portal along with a training certificate from their instructor. The ISP has 90 days to process a completed application from an applicant with a valid FOID card, or 120 days for an applicant without a valid FOID card (per 430 ILCS 66/10(e)). During this period, the applicant's background is checked against criminal history records, FBI/NICS databases, and Department of Human Services mental health and developmental disability files.[5]