NJ CCW Permit Information & Qualification Process
Basic steps required to obtain a New Jersey Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit:
1.) Identification and Citizenship; New Jersey Firearms ID (FID) Card
You must supply proof of identification and citizenship (driver's license and birth certificate / passport / naturalization paperwork / green card).
Your driver's license address MUST match your FID card address.
2.) Pistol Ownership
You must use a pistol owned by you and be able to provide proof of ownership in your name to qualify. Ownership can be a purchase receipt or permit to purchase or a notarized letter of ownership listing the make, model, and serial number of the handgun(s).
NJ has changed their requirements as to what guns you may lawfully carry in NJ as of July 18, 2023. Although the serial number of the actual firearms you qualify with will be recorded on your letter of qualification, you may now carry any handgun that you can provide proof that you own. We do not recommend that you carry handguns within the extreme upper limits of the power scale (e.g., 44mag, 10mm, etc.), but the choice is yours!
3.) Fingerprinting
All applicants must be fingerprinted for initial and renewal applications. Applicants can visit IdentoGO to schedule an appointment. When scheduling, the applicant must provide the investigating agencies ORI# (contact your local PD for a number), a fingerprint service code, and a contributors case number (Use the applicants last name, month, day, and year of application).
Fingerprint results MUST be received within ninety (90) days of application.
4.) NJ CCW Qualification
On July 18, 2023, NJ State Police issued new requirements consisting of a "Use of Force Interim Training for Private Citizen Concealed Carry" as prepared by NJSP and a new "PTC Safe Handling and Proficiency Certification" Letter. BOTH of these new requirements will be met by completing your qualification at The Heritage Guild.
SIGN UP TODAY!
In the range, you will be required to demonstrate safety, familiarity, and accuracy of firearms. It is pass or fail. Upon successful completion, you will be given a letter to submit with your application.
- Strong side holster (inside or outside the waistband).
- Handgun which you yourself can provide proof of ownership.
- Standard FBI-Q Target.
- For a total of 50 rounds per firearm. Must hit at least 40 rounds out of 50 (80%). Firing is in five round strings from 1 to 25 yards (most rounds fired at 7 yards).
Qualification MUST be within six (6) months of application and MUST also be obtained from a certified firearms instructor. The written certification MUST include the instructor's name and certification number, make, model, caliber, and serial number of handgun(s).
5.) Complete the NJ Permit to Carry application and submit with qualifications and certifications.
These are the State of NJ PDF files and the forms can be filled out on your computer:
Residents that have a local police department MUST apply there. Submit the entire completed carry package to your town's PD in one batch.
You MUST renew your NJ CCW every two years.
Federal law prohibits anyone with a medicinal or recreational marijuana card from applying for a NJ CCW permit.
ATTORNEY GENERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DIRECTIVE NO. 2022-07
I. Implementation of New Jersey Carry Permit Requirements:
A. Review of Applications. In reviewing an individual's application for a permit to carry, the applicable law enforcement agency shall continue to ensure that the applicant satisfies all of the criteria of N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4d and N.J.A.C. 13:54-2.4, except that the applicant need not submit a written certification of justifiable need to carry a handgun.
1. Statutory Prohibitions. The agency shall not approve a permit if the applicant is subject to any of the disabilities set forth at N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(c)(1)-(11) that would prevent them from obtaining a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card.
2. Background Checks. The agency shall not approve a permit unless it confirms that the applicant is qualified to carry. The application must, among other things, "be endorsed by three reputable persons who have known the applicant for at least three years preceding the date of application, and who shall also certify thereon that the applicant is a person of good moral character and behavior."
3. Firearms Familiarity. The agency shall not approve a permit unless the applicant demonstrates "that he is thoroughly familiar with the safe handling and use of handguns," in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:54-2.4(b).
B. New Jersey State Policy Regulations. State law assigns to the Superintendent of the State Police the authority to implement the statutory requirements for carry permits. See N.J.S.A. Page 3 2C:58-4. All law enforcement agencies reviewing applications for carry permits shall continue to abide by the regulations issued by the New Jersey State Police, including any amendments adopted on an expedited basis pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:14B-4(b).
Full Text of the NJ AG DIRECTIVE