Frequently Asked Questions

You must be at least 21 years old, a resident of New York City (or work primarily in the city for a Carry Business license), and pass the moral character review. You cannot have a disqualifying conviction or have been involuntarily committed.

Yes. The documentation is heavier but the path exists. Non-citizens must show lawful status and meet the same character standards.

Not automatically. The License Division can see sealed records. The right approach is to disclose with a letter of disposition rather than stay silent. See our post on common denial reasons for more.

It depends on the type. Misdemeanors involving domestic violence, weapons, or stalking can be disqualifying. Most others are not, but they may need to be explained.

Premises Residence licenses run 9 to 14 months from a complete submission in 2026. Concealed Carry licenses run 12 to 18 months. Renewals and amendments are faster.

In the five boroughs, you file with the NYPD License Division. Outside the city, you file with the county clerk or judge designated for that county.

For the in-person interview, yes. Fingerprinting is also in person at IdentoGO. Most other steps can be handled with prepared paperwork.

Yes. The formal vehicle is an Article 78 proceeding in state court. Time limits apply (typically 30 to 60 days). You can also request reconsideration with new documentation in some cases.

The Concealed Carry Improvement Act requires 16 hours of classroom instruction plus 2 hours of live-fire range qualification. Both must be with a DCJS-certified instructor.

For most applicants, no. Even with a Utah CCW, military training, or extensive shooting experience, the NY 16+2 hour standard still applies. There are narrow law-enforcement exemptions.

Group classes run $600 to $900. Private classes (like ours) run $900 to $1,200. The full cost breakdown is in our blog.

You can retake it. Most students pass after a brief practice block. We do not leave anyone stuck.

For a Premises license, after your approval letter is issued. You purchase from a NY-licensed dealer and bring the firearm back to the License Division to have it added to your license.

There is no fixed numerical cap, but each handgun must be added to your license. The unit can ask for justification if the number is unusual.

Anywhere not designated as a sensitive location by the CCIA. The sensitive-location list includes schools, hospitals, government buildings, public transportation, places that serve alcohol, and many others. You also need explicit permission to carry on private property.

Every three years for NYC licenses. Start the renewal at least 90 days before expiration to avoid a lapse.

The initial 20-minute consult is free. If we think we can help you and you want to move forward, we quote based on complexity.

No consultant honestly can. The License Division has discretion. What we can do is identify the issues that lead to denials and address them before submission.

We are consultants, not lawyers. We handle the application, references, training, and follow-through. If you need litigation (like an Article 78 after a denial), we refer to attorneys we trust.

Yes. We work with applicants in Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, and the rest of downstate NY. The application path varies by unit but the underlying work is similar.