What a nonresident permit is
A nonresident permit is exactly what it sounds like: a carry license issued by a state where you do not reside. Not every state offers one. Among the states we train for, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Washington, Texas and — under specific conditions — California accept nonresident applications.
The standards are typically the same ones applied to residents: eligibility screening, a training requirement, fingerprinting and a background check. What differs is the filing path and, in some cases, extra prerequisites.
Why people get them
There are three legitimate reasons, and one bad one.
The first legitimate reason is travel coverage. Different licenses are recognized by different sets of states. A second license can cover parts of the country your home permit does not.
The second is holding a credential issued by a state you actually spend time in. If you have a second home, family or recurring business in a particular state, being licensed by that state is a different legal position than relying on it to recognize your home permit — see our guide on reciprocity versus licensure.
The third is durability. Recognition between states can be withdrawn by legislation or agency decision. A license you hold does not evaporate when policy shifts.
The bad reason
Which states issue to nonresidents
Among the state programs we support:
- Florida — issues to nonresidents; classroom online, range proficiency required.
- Idaho — issues the Standard license to nonresidents; no live fire required.
- Iowa — issues to nonresidents through the state rather than a county sheriff; no live fire required.
- Washington — issues to nonresidents; requirements are scheduled to change under a 2025 law.
- Texas — issues to nonresidents; range qualification has strict instructor requirements.
- California — nonresident applications available following federal litigation, with additional prerequisites.
How to choose one
Start from where you go, not from which permit is easiest. The right question is: which states do I actually spend time in, and what does each of them recognize?
From there, weigh the friction. A license with no live-fire requirement is cheaper and faster to obtain but may be recognized by fewer states. A license with a range requirement may cover more ground. Neither is automatically better — it depends on the map you actually travel.
- List the states you visit or drive through in a typical year.
- Check what each recognizes, from that state's own authority.
- Identify gaps your home permit does not cover.
- Consider whether one nonresident license closes several gaps at once.
- Weigh the training burden against the coverage gained.
What a nonresident permit does not do
It does not override the law of the state you are standing in. It does not exempt you from magazine limits, prohibited locations or transport rules. It does not guarantee future recognition by any state. And it does not replace understanding the law where you travel.