San Francisco CCW Permit

Apply to the San Francisco Police Department. Checked against the agency's own site on 2026-10-08.

• New license: $144, including DOJ Live Scan and processing
• Renewal: $144
• Good to know: San Francisco residents can apply to SFPD or to the San Francisco Sheriff.

Apply to the San Francisco Police Department · Every California county and city

Common questions

How much does a CCW cost in San Francisco?

A new CCW from the San Francisco Police Department costs about $144, including the state's $93 DOJ fee. That's $56 less than applying to the San Francisco Sheriff's Office. Training is paid separately, to the instructor.

Where do I apply for a CCW in San Francisco?

Apply to the San Francisco Police Department, which takes applications online. San Francisco residents can also apply to the San Francisco Sheriff's Office.

Does San Francisco require a psych exam for a CCW?

Every new applicant needs a psychological exam; the price depends on the psychologist.

How long does a CCW take in San Francisco?

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.