You can complete your DC CCW renewal online through the MPD Firearms Portal. A license lasts no more than two years, and renewal requires 4 hours of refresher training plus proof of 2 hours of range practice within the previous 12 months. Pay the fee, upload your documents, and submit well before expiration.
TL;DR:
- Submit through the MPD Firearms Portal, but if your fingerprints are not on file, expect an in person visit for photographs and fingerprinting.
- Dated instructor certificates, instructor attestations, or range logs can support your application; ask instructors to list both training and range hours clearly.
- The license fee is $75, with an additional $35 fingerprint and FBI background check fee if your prints are not already on file.
- MPD recommends starting 45 days before expiration; a lapse may require a new initial application rather than a renewal.
- After a denial, appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings within 15 days of the notice and submit evidence addressing the stated reason.
Table of Contents
- How do you renew your DC concealed carry license in the MPD portal?
- What training and range practice proof does the law require?
- What does DC CCW renewal cost?
- What if your renewal is denied?
- When should you start your renewal?
- Where can you find the MPD forms and portal links?
- Why does ongoing training make renewal easier?
- Which Trouble Defense classes cover your renewal requirements?
- FAQ
- Sources
How do you renew your DC concealed carry license in the MPD portal?
Most of the process now happens on your screen, and renewals can be submitted entirely online without an office visit. Here is the sequence to follow:
- Go to the MPD Firearms Portal and sign in, or create a profile if you have never used it.
- Open your existing concealed carry license record and choose the renewal option.
- Review your personal information and update anything that changed, such as your address.
- Complete the renewal form and answer each question carefully.
- Upload your training certificate and your range practice proof.
- Pay the fee in the portal, then submit and keep your confirmation.
Have these ready before you start:
- A scanned or photographed training certificate showing your 4 hours of renewal training
- Proof of 2 hours of range practice from the last 12 months
- Residency documents or firearm registration details, if the form asks for them
- A debit or credit card for payment
Clear PDF or image files are the safest choice, so scan flat and make sure every name and date is readable. An in-person visit is still possible if your fingerprints are not on file. In that case the MPD instructions say you will be photographed and fingerprinted when you submit your application.
What training and range practice proof does the law require?
Renewal is lighter than the first application. Under D.C. Code § 7–2509.03, you need only 4 hours of training, plus proof of 2 hours of range practice within the previous 12 months. The initial application requirements are set out separately in § 7–2509.02.
Good proof tends to come from one of these:
- A certificate from your instructor that lists the hours and the date
- An instructor attestation covering your range time
- A range log or receipt that shows the date and duration of your session
- A completion certificate from a recognized course
Your instructor can submit certificates on your behalf, but you should still keep your own copies. If you reach the renewal screen without paperwork, stop and gather it first. A missing or vague document is the most common reason a file stalls, and you can often fix it by contacting the instructor or range for a corrected record.
Pro Tip: Ask your instructor to put the training hours, the range hours, and the dates on a single certificate, so you upload one clean file instead of three.
What does DC CCW renewal cost?
MPD publishes its charges on its fees and payment page. Check it before you pay, since fees can change.
- The concealed carry license fee is $75.
- An additional $35 fingerprint and FBI background check fee applies when your fingerprints are not on file.
- Fees are due when you submit, using the payment methods MPD lists.
MPD lists the concealed carry license fee at $75, with a separate $35 fingerprint fee when prints are not on file. If you end up visiting an office, bring a card or certified check so a payment problem does not delay your file.
What if your renewal is denied?
A denial is not the end of the road, but the clock moves fast. You have 15 days from the notice of denial to appeal, and the Office of Administrative Hearings hears appeals from renewal denials under D.C. Code § 7–2509.08. Work through it this way:
- Read the denial notice and note the stated reason and the date you received it.
- Fix the problem: add missing training proof, correct a firearm registration issue, or complete an unfinished form.
- Gather evidence, such as certificates, range records, and your confirmation emails.
- File your appeal with the Office of Administrative Hearings before the 15 days run out.
If the denial raises a legal question beyond paperwork, a firearms defense attorney can explain your options.
When should you start your renewal?
MPD recommends renewing about 45 days before expiration to avoid an interruption. Let it lapse and you may find yourself starting over with a full initial application. Count back 45 days from your expiration date and put that on your calendar. Then work backward again: book your training and range session first, since those take the most scheduling effort. After you submit, check the portal for status updates.
- Training certificate and range proof saved as clear files
- Payment method ready
- Personal details and address confirmed
- Registration information for your firearm at hand
Pro Tip: Set a reminder well before expiration, so training and range time are done before the 45-day window opens.
Where can you find the MPD forms and portal links?
Keep these official pages bookmarked:
- The MPD Firearms Portal for your renewal submission
- The MPD firearm forms page, which hosts the Application for Firearm Registration or Concealed Carry License and the PD-219 form for firearm registration
- The current concealed carry application PDF, published November 13, 2025
- The legal text of § 7–2509.03 for renewal and § 7–2509.08 for appeals
Save the PDFs you need, and submit your certificates through the portal.
Why does ongoing training make renewal easier?
From our perspective, renewals go more smoothly when the paperwork is clean from the start. Instructor-led training gives you dated certificates and range records in a format reviewers expect, so there is less to explain and less to fix later. Our DC and DMV classes are built around that documentation, which is why we encourage licensees to treat renewal training as routine upkeep, not a last-minute chore.
— Dee Parker
Which Trouble Defense classes cover your renewal requirements?
We make it straightforward to line up your training and range proof before the portal deadline. Our DC concealed carry classes and the DMV Concealed Carry Training Package, priced at $450, are options to consider. You can also explore our DC concealed carry class page for course details.
- DMV Concealed Carry Training Package
- DC Concealed Carry Classes with a training certificate for your file
- Private Firearm Training, from $80 per hour, when you want a schedule built around you
Book at least 45 days before your expiration date so you have room to upload everything and submit on time. Contact Trouble Defense today to reserve your class or ask us about scheduling.
FAQ
Does DC have a concealed carry permit?
Yes. DC issues a concealed carry license through the Metropolitan Police Department. You apply and renew through the MPD Firearms Portal.
How long does a DC CCW last?
A DC license expires no later than two years after issuance. Renew before that date to keep carrying lawfully.
What do you need for a DC concealed carry renewal?
You need 4 hours of training and proof of 2 hours of range practice in the previous 12 months. You also need to pay the renewal fee in the portal.
When should you submit your DC CCW renewal?
MPD recommends submitting about 45 days before your license expires. That cushion helps you avoid a lapse and a new initial application.
What if MPD denies your renewal?
You can appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings within 15 days of the denial notice. Fix any paperwork gaps and gather your evidence quickly.
Sources
- § 7–2509.03. Expiration and renewal of licenses. | D.C. Law Library
- Register. Apply. Renew.
- MPD Firearm Forms | mpdc
- § 7–2509.08. Concealed pistol licensing appeals. | D.C. Law Library
