License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW)

LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON (CCW) APPLICATION PROCEDURE

In order to apply for a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a resident of the City of Pismo Beach (Proof of Residency Required - see criteria below)
Be at least 21 years of age.
Fully complete a Standard Application for a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW)
Be free from criminal convictions.
Pass the Department of Justice’s criminal background check.
Are not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined by the standards set forth in Penal Code section 26202 (see criteria below)
Pay all associated fees.
Provide proof of ownership and registration of any weapon to be licensed for concealment. Any firearms you wish to be listed on your CCW permit must be registered to you. (see criteria below)
Be free from any physical or psychological conditions that might make the applicant unsuitable for carrying a concealed weapon.
Complete the required training.

Disqualified Persons Who Cannot Receive or Renew a CCW License

Under Penal Code section 26202, unless a court makes a contrary determination pursuant to Penal Code section 26206, an applicant shall be deemed to be a disqualified person and cannot receive or renew a CCW license if the licensing authority determines that the applicant:

Is reasonably likely to be a danger to self, others, or the community at large.
Has been convicted of contempt of court under Penal Code section 166.
Has been subject to any restraining order, protective order, or other type of court order issued pursuant to the statutory provisions listed in Penal Code section 26202, subdivision (a)(3), unless that order expired or was vacated or otherwise canceled more than five years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application.
In the ten years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application, has been convicted of an offense listed in Penal Code sections 422.6, 422.7, 422.75, or 29805.
Has engaged in an unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing of a firearm.
In ten years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application, has been charged with any offense listed in Penal Code sections 290, 667.5, 1192.7, 1192.8, or 29805 that was dismissed pursuant to a plea or dismissed with a waiver pursuant to People v. Harvey (1979) 25 Cal.3d 754.
In the five years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application, has been committed to or incarcerated in county jail or state prison for, or probation, parole, post-release community supervision, or mandatory supervision as a result of, a conviction of an offense, an element of which involves controlled substances (as described in Health and Safety Code sections 11053 to 11058, inclusive) or alcohol.
Is currently abusing controlled substances (as described in Health and Safety Code sections 11053 to 11058, inclusive), or alcohol.
Within the ten years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application, has experienced the loss or theft of multiple firearms due to the applicant’s lack of compliance with federal, state, or local law in storing, transporting, or securing the firearm.
Failed to report a loss of a firearm as required by Penal Code section 25250 or any other state, federal, or local law requiring the reporting of the loss of a firearm.

The application process shall consist of two phases. Upon successful completion of each phase, the applicant will advance to the next phase, until the process is completed, and the license is either issued or denied.

Phase One: Steps

1. Fill out the application.

Print or download the most updated version of the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms Standard Initial and Renewal Application for a CCW License (Form BOF 4012) The entire application must be completed.

Notes regarding the application:

The application will include substantial personal information, much of which may be subject to public access.
The applicant should thoroughly review and complete all sections of the Standard Application except for the two signatures and dates required on sections 7 and 8. This must be signed in the presence of the investigator.
Additional pages may be used and inserted if more space is necessary to complete the application.
Only 3 Firearms may be listed on page 9 of the application.
As part of the background investigation, we will be contacting the 3 references listed on page 9 of your DOJ application.
- Please note that one of your references must meet one of these requirements: be your spouse or former spouse, your cohabitant or former cohabitant, your fiancée, or someone with whom you have, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, or the mother or father of your child), if applicable.
- Please notify your references to expect a phone call from our department. If one of your references fails to respond to our department you may be asked to provide additional references (per PC26202 b.1)
Please note: Any applicant who provides false information or statements on the application will be removed from further consideration and may be prosecuted for a criminal offense.

2. Complete the required training:

Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 specify that new license applicants must complete a course of training. The training may consist of any course acceptable to the licensing authority and no less than 16 hours in length that meets the minimum criteria set forth in Penal Code section 26165, subdivision (a).
For license renewal applications, the course of training that is no less than eight hours in length, and that otherwise meets the minimum criteria set forth in Penal Code sections 26165 subdivision (a).

3. Schedule an Appointment to turn in your application.

Contact our Detective Bureau at (805) 773-7020 to schedule a time to turn in your application and other required documents.

4. Collect Required documents to bring to your appointment.

Proof of ownership and registration of each weapon to be licensed for concealment (limit of 3). Any firearms you wish to be listed on your CCW permit must meet these requirements:
- The handgun must be registered/DROS to the applicant.
- The handgun must be concealable upon the person or purse.
- The handgun, magazines, and ammunition must comply with applicable state laws.
- Registered assault weapons as defined in California Penal Code Sections 30510 and 30515 are not permitted for a CCW license.
- Any handgun or pistol that has the capacity to accept a magazine outside of the pistol grip is not permitted for a CCW license.
Proof of Residency Documents (both required)
- Your Driver’s License (we will make a copy for you).
- A document showing your current address within the Pismo Beach city limits (examples of accepted documents include Utility Bill (latest); Lease/Rental Agreement; Telephone Bill (latest); Tax Bill or Voter Registration Card.)
One passport-sized photo taken within the last 90 days.

The handgun must be registered/DROS to the applicant.
The handgun must be concealable upon the person or purse.
The handgun, magazines, and ammunition must comply with applicable state laws.
Registered assault weapons as defined in California Penal Code Sections 30510 and 30515 are not permitted for a CCW license.
Any handgun or pistol that has the capacity to accept a magazine outside of the pistol grip is not permitted for a CCW license.

Proof of Residency Documents (both required)
- Your Driver’s License (we will make a copy for you).
- A document showing your current address within the Pismo Beach city limits (examples of accepted documents include Utility Bill (latest); Lease/Rental Agreement; Telephone Bill (latest); Tax Bill or Voter Registration Card.)
One passport-sized photo taken within the last 90 days.

5. During your appointment

You will review your application, and sign in sections 7 and 8 of the application.

6. Complete Livescan form (given at the appointment) and complete the Fingerprinting process pending technician availability.

Department of Justice fingerprint processing and eligibility fee to be determined at the time of the Livescan.
$72.05 Additional Fingerprint Fee.
You may be required to go to an outside vendor to complete your Livescan depending on technician availability.

Once the Chief or authorized designee has reviewed the completed application package and relevant background information, and we have received Criminal History information from both the DOJ and FBI as well as the Bureau of Firearms Eligibility to Possess Firearms letter, the application will either be advanced to phase two or denied.

If your application is denied at the conclusion of phase one, you will be notified in writing within 90 days of the initial application, or within 30 days after receipt of the applicant’s criminal background check from the DOJ, whichever is later, and will not move forward to phase two.

Phase Two Steps: (To be completed only by those applicants who have successfully completed phase one)

Upon successful completion of phase one, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment for a personal interview with the Pismo Beach Police Chief. For the interview:

Bring firearm(s) – limit of 3 per applicant – to be considered for a license. (Firearm(s) must be in a LOCKED case UNLOADED.)
Bring a check or money order for $128.66 made out to City of Pismo Beach.

After the Chief has given final approval, the firearm(s) will be inspected by the Range Master and the initial permit will be issued.

RENEWALS:

Effective September 1, 2026, CCW renewal applicants will be required to complete a new Live Scan fingerprint submission. Penal Code § 26185, subd. (b)(2), requires new fingerprints for all concealed carry weapon (CCW) renewals.

To request the renewal of your license:

You must request a renewal of your CCW license no earlier than 90 days and no later than 30 days before the permit expiration for it to be considered a renewal and not an initial application.
Fully complete the most updated version of the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms Standard Initial and Renewal Application for a CCW License (Form BOF 4012) marked for Renewal. Do not sign the application.
Email the completed application (without signature) to pbpdadmin@pismobeach.org.

Phase One: Steps

Fill out the application.
1. Print or download the most updated version of the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms Standard Initial and Renewal Application for a CCW License (Form BOF 4012) The entire application must be completed.
Complete the required training course and qualification (Penal Code § 26165). For license renewal applications, the course of training that is no less than eight hours in length, and that otherwise meets the minimum criteria set forth in Penal Code sections 26165 subdivision (a).

3. Contact Jennifer Hunt at 805-773-7029 to schedule an appointment to sign your completed Standard Application for License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW) (BOF 4012) and to provide proof of qualification and training certificate at 1000 Bello Street.

4. Complete Livescan form (given at the appointment) and complete the Fingerprinting process pending technician availability.

Department of Justice fingerprint processing and eligibility fee to be determined at the time of the Livescan.
$72.05 Additional Fingerprint Fee.
You may be required to go to an outside vendor to complete your Livescan depending on technician availability.

Phase Two Steps: (To be completed only by those applicants who have successfully completed phase one)

Once the background has been reviewed and approved, you will be contacted to make an appointment to have your firearm(s) inspected by the Pismo Beach Police Department Range Master and for the issuance of the new permit.

During the appointment:

The Range Master will inspect the firearms and determine if they are in good working order with no modifications.
Payment will be collected – One check or money order for $93.00 made out to the Department of Justice, and one check or money order for $31.91 made out to the City of Pismo Beach.
You will return your expired permit.
The new permit will be issued.

AMENDMENTS:

The following amendments to licenses will be considered upon receipt of a written Application for License Amendment:

Addition or deletion of authority to carry a firearm listed on the license.
Changes to restrictions or conditions previously placed on the license.
Changes to the address or other personal information of the licensee. The licensee must notify the Pismo Beach Police Department in writing within 10 days of any change of place of residency. Please note: If the licensee moves out of the county of issuance, the license shall expire ninety (90) days after the licensee has moved

Please note: An amendment to any license will not serve to extend the original expiration date and an application for amendment will not constitute an application for renewal of the license.

Amendment Steps:

• Fill out a Carry Concealed Weapons License Amendment form and email to pbpdadmin@pismobeach.org.

• Submit the Required Processing Fee of $12.35 by cash, check, or money order made out to City of Pismo Beach.

• If you are attempting to add a firearm to your permit, you will need to do the following:

Provide proof of ownership of the new firearm.
Provide proof of qualification with the new firearm.
Schedule a time for your new firearm to be inspected by the Range Master.

License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW)