Illinois became the last state in the nation to adopt a concealed carry licensing system when the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66) was enacted in 2013. The state operates a shall-issue system, meaning the ISP must issue a Concealed Carry License (CCL) to any applicant who meets the statutory qualifications, unless a law enforcement objection is sustained through the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board.[1]
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an Illinois CCL, you must meet all of the following criteria under 430 ILCS 66/25:[1]
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Possess a currently valid FOID card
- Have no felony conviction
- Have no conviction for a misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force within the past 5 years
- Have no more than one DUI conviction within the past 5 years (two or more DUIs within 5 years disqualifies you)
- Not have been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental health facility
- Not be addicted to narcotics
- Not be intellectually or developmentally disabled
- Have completed 16 hours of ISP-approved firearms training
Training Requirement: 16 Hours
The 16-hour training requirement is the most substantial prerequisite for a CCL. Under 430 ILCS 66/75, the training must be conducted by an ISP-approved instructor and must cover:[1]
- Firearm safety and safe handling practices
- Principles of marksmanship
- Care, cleaning, and storage of firearms
- Illinois firearms laws, including prohibited locations and use-of-force principles
- Live-fire range qualification
Prior Training Credit
If you have prior firearms training from a recognized source (such as military training, law enforcement training, or another state's concealed carry course), up to 8 hours may be credited toward the 16-hour requirement. The ISP determines whether prior training qualifies for credit on a case-by-case basis.[2]
Live-Fire Qualification
The live-fire component requires you to fire 30 rounds total on a B-27 silhouette target at three distances:[1]
- 10 rounds at 5 yards
- 10 rounds at 7 yards
- 10 rounds at 10 yards
Under 430 ILCS 66/75(e), you must achieve a minimum 70% accuracy overall -- at least 21 out of 30 total rounds must hit the scoring area of the target across all three distances combined.[5] There is no separate per-distance minimum; the statute requires 70% of all rounds fired. If you fail the qualification, you are given a second attempt. You may also schedule another attempt with your instructor at a later date.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Complete the 16-Hour Training Course
Locate an ISP-approved training course and instructor. A list of approved instructors is available through the ISP Firearms Services Bureau. Complete all classroom and live-fire components. Your instructor will provide you with a certificate of completion that includes a unique certificate number.
Step 2: Log In to the ISP Portal
Access the ISP Firearms Services Bureau portal at ispfsb.com. Use your existing account (the same one used for your FOID card application).[2]
Step 3: Submit Your CCL Application
Select "Apply for a Concealed Carry License" and complete the application. You will need to enter:
- Your FOID card number
- Your training certificate number from the completed 16-hour course
- Personal information and eligibility responses
- A current digital photograph
Step 4: Submit Fingerprints
Although fingerprint submission is technically optional for the CCL application, submitting fingerprints through an ISP-approved vendor is strongly recommended. Without fingerprints, the ISP has 120 days to process your application. With fingerprints, the processing timeline is reduced to 90 days.[2] Fingerprint submission also qualifies you for automatic FOID renewal.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
The CCL application fee is $150 for Illinois residents. Non-residents from states with substantially similar firearms laws pay $300. This fee covers the 5-year license period.[2]
Step 6: Wait for Processing
The ISP has 90 days from receipt of a completed application (with fingerprints) or 120 days (without fingerprints) to issue or deny the CCL. Track your application status through the ISP portal.[1]
Law Enforcement Review Period
After you submit your application, the ISP notifies law enforcement agencies in the applicant's area of residence. Law enforcement has 30 days to file an objection with the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board. If an objection is filed, the Review Board evaluates whether the objection is sustained. A sustained objection results in denial of the license.[1]
What the CCL Allows
Once issued, your CCL permits you to:[3]
- Carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm on or about your person
- Carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle
- Store a firearm in your vehicle in the parking area of most prohibited locations (the firearm must be concealed in a case within a locked vehicle or locked container, out of plain view)
The CCL does not authorize open carry. Illinois prohibits open carry in all public places regardless of whether the person holds a FOID card or CCL.[4]
License Validity
An Illinois CCL is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. You must complete a 3-hour refresher course and submit a renewal application before the license expires to maintain continuous concealed carry privileges.[2]