The short version: to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois you need an Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL) issued by the Illinois State Police. To get one, you must be at least 21, hold a valid FOID card, complete 16 hours of ISP-approved training with a live-fire qualification, and apply online with a $150 fee. Processing takes roughly 90–120 days, and the license is valid for 5 years. Here's each step in detail.

Step 1: Confirm You're Eligible

Before spending a dollar on training or fees, make sure you qualify. Illinois requires CCL applicants to:

Be at least 21 years old.
Hold a valid FOID card — or have a FOID application pending (you can apply for both together).
Have a valid driver's license or state ID.
Meet the legal history requirements — no felony convictions, no conviction in the last 5 years for a violent misdemeanor or 2+ DUIs, no pending arrest warrants or prohibiting mental health admissions within the lookback windows, and no failed drug tests within the past year.

Not sure whether something in your past is disqualifying? Ask us before you register — we'd rather tell you the honest answer up front than take your money for a license you can't get.

Step 2: Get Your FOID Card

The Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card is Illinois' baseline requirement for possessing firearms and ammunition. You apply through the Illinois State Police portal; it costs $10 and is valid for 10 years. You'll need a digital photo and your driver's license or state ID number. If you're starting from zero, submit your FOID application first — your CCL application can be filed while the FOID is pending.

Step 3: Complete the 16-Hour Training

Illinois has one of the most substantial training requirements in the country: 16 hours of instruction from an ISP-approved instructor, covering firearm safety, the basics of marksmanship, care and cleaning, safe loading and unloading, and the state and federal laws that govern ownership, transport, and use of force. It ends with a live-fire qualification:

30 rounds total at a B-27 style silhouette target
10 rounds from 5 yards, 10 from 7 yards, 10 from 10 yards
Minimum 70% hits to pass

Credit for prior training: up to 8 hours can be credited for qualifying prior courses (such as NRA Basic Pistol) or for honorably discharged veterans. Bring your documentation to us and we'll confirm exactly what you still need.

2AM Tactical's 16-hour CCL class in Oak Lawn covers the entire requirement — classroom, range, and qualification — typically in one weekend, taught by law enforcement instructors.

Step 4: Apply to the Illinois State Police

With your training certificate in hand, you apply online through the ISP's Firearms Services Bureau portal. You'll need:

Your FOID card number (or pending application)
Your driver's license or state ID
A head-and-shoulders photo taken within the last 30 days
Your 16-hour training certificate
$150 application fee (Illinois residents), paid by card or e-check
Optionally, electronic fingerprints — not required, but they shorten processing

Step 5: Wait (But Not Long)

The ISP must act on applications within 90 days if you submitted fingerprints, or 120 days without them. Once approved, your Illinois CCL arrives by mail and is valid for 5 years.

What Does an Illinois CCL Cost All-In?

Item	Cost	Valid
FOID card (if you don't have one)	$10	10 years
16-hour training course	Varies by provider — contact us for current pricing	—
CCL application fee (resident)	$150	5 years
Optional fingerprinting	~$30–$60 at private vendors	Speeds processing
Range fees & ammunition (~100 rounds)	Varies	—

Where You Still Can't Carry

An Illinois CCL is not a carry-anywhere pass. Prohibited locations include schools and school grounds, government buildings and courts, hospitals and mental health facilities, public transit, establishments where over half of sales are alcohol, public parks and playgrounds, stadiums, casinos, airports, and any private property posted with the official Illinois no-carry sign. We spend serious classroom time on prohibited areas and transport rules, because this is where well-meaning license holders get into trouble.

Renewing Your CCL

Your CCL expires after 5 years. Renewal requires a 3-hour recertification course with a live-fire re-qualification, plus the $150 state fee. 2AM Tactical runs renewal courses in a single evening.

A Note on Other States' Permits

Illinois does not honor concealed carry permits from any other state. If you live here, you need an Illinois CCL. Residents of a handful of states with substantially similar laws may apply for an Illinois non-resident license using the same 16-hour training requirement.

Disclaimer: this guide is educational, not legal advice. Laws change — verify current requirements with the Illinois State Police. Last reviewed July 2026 by the 2AM Tactical instructor team.

How to Get Your Illinois Concealed Carry License