Alameda County CCW Permit

Apply to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. Checked against the agency's own site on 2026-10-08.

• New license: $384 when you apply, $384 when approved
• Good to know: One of the most expensive counties in the state once the $400 psych fee is added. Fees are refundable only until your Live Scan.

Apply to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office · Every California county and city

Common questions

How much does a CCW cost in Alameda County?

A new CCW in Alameda County costs $768 in posted fees, and the state's $93 DOJ fee may be extra. Even without that, it's more than the typical county's $237 total. Training is paid separately, to the instructor.

Where do I apply for a CCW in Alameda County?

Apply to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, which takes applications online. If you live in Berkeley, Fremont or Hayward, you can apply to that city's police department instead.

Does Alameda County require a psych exam for a CCW?

Every new applicant needs a psychological exam, which costs $400 (the sheriff's listed psychological service fee).

How long does a CCW take in Alameda County?

State law gives the agency 120 days from a complete application, or 30 days after the DOJ's background results come back if that's later, to approve or deny it.

Rules every California license follows

• Local fees: There's no dollar cap. Each sheriff or police chief sets a fee meant to cover its own reasonable costs, and it can collect only half up front. The rest is due when your license is issued, so a denial shouldn't cost you the whole thing. (Cal. Penal Code § 26190(b))
• Psychological exam: The state doesn't require one, but each agency can. If yours does, you see a psychologist it approves and you pay what the exam actually costs, usually $400 to $625 where it's posted. A renewal can only trigger another exam if there's compelling evidence of a safety concern. (Cal. Penal Code § 26190(e))
• Training: New applicants need a course of at least 16 hours, taught by a DOJ-certified instructor, with live fire using every gun you want on the license. Renewals take at least 8 hours. Training is paid to the instructor, not the agency, and usually costs a few hundred dollars. (Cal. Penal Code § 26165)
• How long they have to decide: 120 days from a complete application, or 30 days after the DOJ's background results come back if that's later. Some agencies take longer anyway; the U.S. Justice Department sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff in 2025 over waits of a year or more. (Cal. Penal Code § 26205)

Not legal advice. Confirm fees with the agency before you pay.