How Long Does an Arizona CCW Permit Take? Here's What I've Seen After 17 Years

How Long Does an Arizona Concealed Carry Permit Take?

One of the most common questions I hear from prospective students is:

"How long does it take to get an Arizona concealed carry permit?"

It's a reasonable question, but the answer isn't as simple as quoting a number of days.

I've been teaching Arizona concealed carry classes for more than 17 years. During that time I've helped thousands of students complete the application process. I've seen permits arrive in as little as three days. I've also lived through the one period when Arizona DPS fell so far behind that applicants waited close to six months.

Fortunately, those long delays are the exception, not the rule.

In this article, I'll explain what Arizona law requires, what I actually see in the real world, the mistakes that slow applications down, and the fastest way I've found to get your permit.

Quick Answer: How Long Does an Arizona CCW Permit Take?

If you're looking for the short answer, here's what I've experienced after more than 17 years of teaching.

• Most of my students receive their Arizona concealed carry permit in about 2 to 3 weeks.

• Arizona law generally allows up to 75 days after DPS receives your complete application.

• The fastest permit I've personally seen arrived in just 3 days.

• Nobody, including your instructor, can guarantee how quickly Arizona DPS will process your application.

The key phrase is "after DPS receives your complete application."

Many people misunderstand when the clock actually starts.

There Are Three Separate Timelines

One mistake I see online is people talking about "processing time" as though it's the entire process.

It isn't.

Your total wait consists of three different stages.

Stage 1: Completing Your Training

This is the part you control.

My Arizona CCW class takes approximately one hour.

You can choose the format that works best for you.

• Online self-paced course available 24 hours a day.

• Live Zoom classes offered several days each week.

• In-person training when scheduling permits for students in Arizona's East Valley.

If you're reading this late tonight, you could literally start your AZ CCW Online training right now.

Stage 2: Completing Your Application

The second stage is submitting your application.

Today, I recommend almost every Arizona resident use the Arizona DPS online application.

Most people finish it in about 15 minutes.

Once that's complete, schedule your digital fingerprint appointment.

Many students are able to get fingerprinted the same day or the following day.

Years ago this process involved:

• Paper applications.

• Money orders.

• Ink fingerprint cards.

• Finding a fingerprint technician.

• Mailing paperwork.

• Waiting for postal delivery.

Fortunately, today's process is much faster.

Stage 3: Arizona DPS Processing

Once Arizona DPS receives every required document, your application enters the processing stage.

At this point, neither you nor your instructor controls the timeline.

What Arizona Law Says

Arizona law requires DPS to process permit applications within 60 days after receiving a complete application.

After processing, state law allows up to an additional 15 days for mailing your permit.

That means the legal maximum is generally 75 days from the date Arizona DPS receives everything required.

Notice what that does not include.

It doesn't include:

• Waiting to take your class.

• Waiting to complete your application.

• Waiting to schedule fingerprints.

• Mailing delays for paper applications.

Those delays happen before DPS ever begins processing.

What I've Actually Seen After Teaching for 17 Years

Statutes tell you the maximum.

Experience tells you what normally happens.

Most of my students receive their permits within about two to three weeks.

That has been remarkably consistent for many years.

The Fastest Permit I've Ever Seen

The fastest student I've personally had completed my online class on a Monday morning.

They immediately:

• Completed the online application.

• Scheduled digital fingerprints the same day.

• Submitted everything immediately.

Their permit arrived on Wednesday.

Three days.

Could that happen again?

Absolutely.

Should you expect it?

Probably not.

The Longest Delay I've Ever Seen

I've also witnessed the opposite.

One year Arizona DPS experienced a severe backlog.

Applicants waited approximately six months.

That wasn't normal.

It certainly wasn't what Arizona law intended.

Fortunately, those delays eventually disappeared, and today's processing times are dramatically better.

Why Two People Can Apply Together and Receive Their Permits Weeks Apart

One experience has always stuck with me.

I taught a husband and wife in the same class.

They submitted their applications together.

The wife received her permit in roughly two weeks.

The husband waited almost two months.

People often assume there must have been a mistake.

Not necessarily.

Several things can affect processing.

• A common name.

• Additional background verification.

• Previous arrests requiring review.

• Delays receiving FBI information.

• Internal workload at Arizona DPS.

Many of these factors are completely outside everyone's control.

That's why nobody can honestly promise a specific approval date.

The Biggest Mistakes That Delay Arizona CCW Permits

After helping thousands of students, I've noticed the same problems over and over.

Waiting Too Long to Apply

Some students finish training and let the paperwork sit on the kitchen table for weeks.

Nothing happens until your application reaches Arizona DPS.

Missing Your Fingerprint Appointment

Digital fingerprints are one of the fastest parts of today's process.

Missing the appointment only creates unnecessary delays.

Using Ink Fingerprints When Digital Is Available

Years ago ink fingerprint cards were the standard.

Today, I rarely recommend them.

Historically, about 20 to 30 percent of ink cards are rejected for quality issues.

Digital fingerprints have approximately a 99 percent acceptance rate.

That alone can save weeks.

Incomplete Applications

I've seen delays caused by:

• Missing course certificates.

• Missing signatures.

• Missing required information.

• Missing supporting court documents restoring firearm rights.

• Incorrectly completed paper applications.

A few extra minutes reviewing everything before submitting can save weeks later.

Why I Changed My Recommendation After 17 Years

For many years I tried to make the application process as easy as possible.

Students left my class with:

• Their application.

• A pre-addressed envelope.

• Their completion certificate.

• Free ink fingerprints.

Back then, it worked well.

Technology changed.

Today I recommend something different.

I believe the online application combined with Fieldprint digital fingerprints is simply faster, easier, and more reliable.

Sometimes experience means changing your methods when something better becomes available.

This is one of those situations.

Why Getting Your Permit Before You Need It Matters

One thing I've learned is that people usually decide to get their permit because of something happening in their life.

Sometimes they're planning a road trip through states that honor Arizona permits.

Sometimes they buy a firearm.

Sometimes current events make them realize they've waited too long.

I saw that firsthand after the Sandy Hook tragedy.

As people rushed to buy firearms, one sporting goods store had two very different lines.

People with Arizona concealed carry permits walked out with their purchases within minutes.

Everyone else waited hours while the FBI processed background checks.

The permit didn't just save paperwork.

It saved time during a period when time mattered.

You never know when demand will suddenly increase.

Can an Instructor Speed Up Your Arizona Permit?

This is one of the biggest myths in the industry.

The answer is NO!

If someone claims they can:

• Move your application ahead of everyone else.

• Expedite DPS processing.

• Use special connections.

• Offer a concierge service that speeds approvals.

Be skeptical.

No instructor controls Arizona DPS.

The best instructors help you avoid mistakes.

They don't control government processing.

My Step-by-Step Advice for Getting Your Permit as Fast as Possible

If someone called me today and said, "John, I want my permit as quickly as possible," this is exactly what I'd tell them.

1. Complete my online Arizona CCW course.

2. Get your course completion certificate emailed to you.

3. Complete the Arizona DPS online application immediately.

4. Schedule your Fieldprint digital fingerprint appointment for the same day or next day if possible.

5. Verify every required document before submitting.

6. Then be patient while Arizona DPS completes its work.

That's the fastest process I've found after helping thousands of students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Arizona DPS process every permit in exactly the same amount of time?

No. Every application is different. Even applicants who submit paperwork on the same day may receive their permits weeks apart.

Does taking an online class slow down my permit?

No. The delivery method of your training does not determine how quickly Arizona DPS processes your application.

Is the online application faster than mailing paperwork?

In my opinion, yes. The online application removes mailing delays, money orders, and several opportunities for paperwork mistakes.

Should I choose ink fingerprints or digital fingerprints?

For most Arizona residents, I recommend digital fingerprints through Fieldprint. The acceptance rate is substantially higher, which reduces the chance of delays caused by rejected fingerprint cards.

Can my instructor call DPS and speed up my application?

No. Any instructor claiming they can influence Arizona DPS processing is making a claim I would question.

Final Thoughts

After teaching Arizona concealed carry classes for more than 17 years, my advice is simple.

Don't wait until you suddenly need your permit.

Complete your training.

Use the online application.

Schedule digital fingerprints immediately.

Double-check your paperwork.

Then let Arizona DPS do its job.

Most of my students receive their permit in about two to three weeks, although every application is different.

No instructor can promise a specific approval date.

What we can do is help you avoid the mistakes that unnecessarily slow the process and put you in the best position for a smooth approval.