California CCW update: AB 1948 changes standard permit terms to up to 3 years starting Jan. 1, 2027
California CCW holders and applicants may want to be aware of Assembly Bill AB 1948.
Effective January 1, 2027, standard California CCW licenses may be issued for up to three years instead of the current two-year term.
A few important points:
Existing permits remain valid until the expiration date printed on the permit.
Current permits will not automatically be extended to three years.
New and renewal applications issued on or after January 1, 2027, may be eligible for the new three-year term, assuming all statutory requirements are met.
Eligibility requirements, background checks, firearms training, and other California CCW requirements remain in effect.
This looks like a helpful change for permit holders, but it does not appear to remove any of the existing application, renewal, or training requirements.
Worth checking with your issuing agency as we get closer to the effective date, since agencies may publish their own implementation guidance.
Graphic attached for quick reference.