San Jose CCW Permit

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

• New license: $1,591: $318 when you apply and $1,273 at issuance; the $93 DOJ fee is extra
• Good to know: The most expensive license in California. The city raised the fee in June 2026, and on September 16, 2026 the U.S. Justice Department sued San Jose, calling it unconstitutional. The case is pending.

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

Common questions

How much does a CCW cost in San Jose?

A new CCW from the San Jose Police Department costs about $1,684: $1,591 in local fees plus $93 for the state DOJ background check. That's $615 more than applying to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. Training is paid separately, to the instructor.

Where do I apply for a CCW in San Jose?

Apply to the San Jose Police Department. San Jose residents can also apply to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.

Does San Jose 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 Jose?

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.