The Michigan Legislature created a standardized system for issuing CPLs in Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) Section 28.421a.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Get a Michigan CCW?
To apply for a Michigan Concealed Pistol License, you must be at least 21 years old. This age requirement ensures applicants have sufficient maturity and responsibility to handle the obligations of carrying a concealed firearm. There are no exceptions to the age requirement of CPL laws in Michigan.
What Are the Requirements for a Michigan CPL?
The Michigan State Police provides comprehensive guidance on CPL requirements as well as prohibited acts that could result in an application denial.
To be eligible to obtain your Michigan CPL, you must:
Be a Legal Resident of Michigan
Applicants must be legal residents of Michigan, and have resided in the state for at least six months before applying.
You can establish residency by presenting a valid Michigan driver’s license or state ID card. If you are an active-duty military member who is stationed outside of Michigan, showing that the state is your home of record meets the residency requirement.
If you have a valid concealed pistol license from another state at the time you establish Michigan residency, the six-month requirement can be waived. Let’s say that you move to Michigan from Indiana. Prior to relocating, you obtained a valid Indiana CCW license. In this instance, Michigan would waive the six-month residency requirement.
Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawfully Admitted Alien
You are also required to be a U.S. citizen, or a lawfully admitted alien to apply for your Michigan CPL. For non-citizens, the Michigan State Police must use the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement databases to determine that the applicant is not undocumented or a nonimmigrant alien. This ensures compliance with federal firearm possession laws.
Complete a Pistol Safety Training Course
Applicants must successfully complete a pistol safety training course that has been certified by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), or a recognized national or state firearms training organization. The training must be completed within five years of your application date. The minimum requirements are as follows:
- Receive at least eight hours of instruction
- Spend at least three of those hours on a firing range
- Fire at least 30 rounds of ammunition
Most courses are exactly eight hours. They include a mix of five hours of classroom instruction and three hours of range time. During the course, you will receive instruction on safe storage, handling, and use of a pistol.
Instructors will also cover basics like keeping the firearm secure and out of the hands of minors, shooting fundamentals, and choosing safe ammunition for your firearm.
Upon completion, you will receive a certificate that demonstrates compliance with Michigan law. You will need to submit a copy of the certificate with your application.
Submit a Complete Application
Once you’ve completed your course, submit the CPL application to the county clerk in your county of residence. You can fill out the forms before arriving at the clerk’s office, but do not sign them yet. You must sign the application under oath in front of the county clerk or their representative.
When submitting your application, you will need to provide a valid Michigan driver’s license or ID showing your current address. You may also need a passport-quality photograph if the state does not have a digitized photograph on file.
Fingerprinting is a mandatory part of the application process as well. You can have your fingerprints collected by the county clerk, state police, sheriff’s office, or local law enforcement agency.
You will also need to pay the $100 application fee when submitting your documents. This is separate from the fingerprinting fee, which is usually $15. Costs may vary by county.
Meet Special Conditions for Waivers
Certain applicants may qualify for waivers. The six-month residency requirement is the most common waiver that applicants may qualify for. Additionally, the pistol safety training requirement is waived for retired police officers as defined by Michigan law. You may be eligible for an emergency license without meeting the residency requirement if you are a petitioner for a personal protection order.
What Disqualifies Someone From Getting Their Michigan CPL?
Knowing what to do and what requirements you must meet is important when applying for your CPL. However, you also need to know what conditions and past actions can disqualify you. When submitting your application, state authorities will verify that you do not have:
Felony Convictions or Pending Charges
Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony, or have felony charges pending in Michigan or elsewhere. Felony convictions, particularly those for violent crimes, result in a permanent ban from obtaining a CPL. Applicants who have pending charges must wait until the case is resolved.
Recent Misdemeanor Convictions
Applicants must not have been convicted of certain misdemeanor violations in the three years preceding the application date, nor have pending charges for these offenses.
Disqualifying misdemeanors include the following:
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated or visibly impaired while under 21 years of age
- Controlled substance violations
- Disorderly person
- Embezzlement
- False pretenses with intent to cheat or defraud
- Larceny
- Third or second-degree retail fraud
- Negligent use of a firearm resulting in injury, death, or property damage
Similar violations in other jurisdictions may also prohibit someone from obtaining their Michigan CPL.
Misdemeanor Convictions With Extended Bans
Certain misdemeanor convictions carry an extended eight-year ban. Individuals who have been convicted of any of the following misdemeanor violations within eight years preceding their application date are ineligible:
- Failing to stop when involved in an accident resulting in personal injury
- Reckless driving
- Possessing a controlled substance
- Assault or domestic assault
- Aggravated assault or aggravated domestic assault
- Fourth-degree child abuse
- Vulnerable adult abuse
- Illegal sale of a firearm or ammunition
This is not an exhaustive list. If you have past misdemeanor convictions, make sure to review the Michigan State Police website to review the list of applicable charges.
Mental Health or Legal Restrictions
Applicants must not be subject to orders or dispositions involving involuntary hospitalization, involuntary treatment, or legal incapacitation. Additionally, they must not be under a personal protection order or a bond/conditional release prohibiting the purchase or possession of a firearm.
How Is the Application Processed?
After you submit your application and fingerprints, the Michigan State Police conducts a background check using state and federal databases. The county clerk must issue the license or send you a notice of statutory disqualification within 45 days of receiving your fingerprints.
If your application is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason for the decision. You can also appeal the denial through the Michigan Circuit Court using the CC-79 Claim of Appeal form.
If your license is approved, it will be valid for four to five years until your birthday in the specified year. To renew, simply submit a renewal application and pay the required fee to the county clerk. While not required, you can also enroll in a refresher course to brush up on the latest laws and safety strategies.
What Are the Next Steps for Applicants?
If you meet all eligibility requirements, the next step is to enroll in a certified pistol safety training course. Uncoiled Firearms offers comprehensive Michigan CPL classes to prepare you to safely and lawfully carry your concealed firearm.
We offer a one-day, eight-hour course for $75. Your fee includes the range qualification, eye and ear protection, firearm rental, the course completion certificate, and lunch. There are no hidden fees. Class starts promptly at 8 a.m. and lasts until 4 p.m.
Need a more flexible option? We also offer a two-night evening course, which breaks the curriculum up into two four-hour blocks. The evening course runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on consecutive nights.
Ready to get your Michigan Concealed Pistol License? If you meet the Michigan CCW requirements, and are interested in getting your CPL, it’s time to enroll in a concealed pistol course. Uncoiled Firearms has got you covered.
