Multi-State Licensing Guide (For MA residents)

A Massachusetts LTC goes a long way in providing concealed carry coverage across the U.S. At the time of writing, a Massachusetts resident with an LTC can carry in roughly 35 states through a combination of reciprocity and constitutional or permitless carry policies. That number can be 36 for students whose Massachusetts LTC was issued or renewed after August 1, 2024 because of Minnesota's current treatment of newer Massachusetts licenses.

The key to an efficient multi-state licensing strategy is to target the states that a Massachusetts LTC does not cover, while avoiding permits that do not add much practical value as a Massachusetts resident. For students attending our multi-state licensing class, and generally for most Massachusetts residents, that means focusing on Arizona/Florida, Utah, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, as these are the easier permits to obtain from the list of states in this guide. With these permits, a Massachusetts resident would be able to carry in 41 states. Our guide will go over each of these permits and how to apply for them. We will additionally go over what is needed for other state permits that are possible to obtain as a Massachusetts resident. In total, a Massachusetts resident who obtains all of the obtainable permits mentioned in this guide will be able to carry in up to 46 states.

Utah CFP

Utah itself is a constitutional carry state, so the Utah Concealed Firearm Permit is primarily useful because it adds coverage for Washington and Delaware for Massachusetts residents. Additionally, a Utah CFP will remove certain carry restrictions in-state.

Utah requires a course taught by a Utah BCI certified instructor. The application must be received by Utah BCI within one year of the training date. Massachusetts residents do not need any carry permit at all to apply for the Utah CFP. Utah only requires a home state carry permit from applicants of states that have reciprocity with Utah. Massachusetts is not one of those states.

You can view Utah BCI's application information here. Generally, the Utah envelope you submit should include:

• The original Utah application signed by the student and the instructor
• A photocopy of driver's license or state ID
• One physical fingerprint card
• A passport-style photo with your full name written on the back
• The non-resident application fee payable to Utah BCI

For students taking our multi-state licensing class, we provide the fingerprint card, the passport photo, ID photocopy, and a stamped envelope so that you leave the class ready to drop off the application in the mail.

Connecticut pistol permit

Connecticut is on this list because Connecticut does not recognize other states' carry permits. If you want to carry in Connecticut, you need a Connecticut State Pistol Permit. A Connecticut permit will also add coverage for Minnesota for Massachusetts residents whose LTC was issued before August 1, 2024.

Out-of-state residents apply directly through the Connecticut State Police Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. Start by emailing SLFU.OOS@ct.gov and requesting an out-of-state resident pistol permit application packet. You can also review Connecticut's state pistol permit page here.

Connecticut generally requires you to already have a permit or license to carry from another state. Not all state permits are accepted by CT, but for our students, the Massachusetts LTC, Arizona permit, or Utah permit may be used to apply. The packet also includes a local permit verification form that must be completed by the agency that issued the permit you are using to apply.

Connecticut packets are more involved than Arizona and Utah. Expect to gather the following:

• The completed Connecticut out-of-state application packet
• A copy of the permit you are using to qualify
• Forms that may need to be signed and notarized
• A passport-style photo attached to the required form
• One completed fingerprint card
• The online fingerprint processing fee payment
• A check payable to the Treasurer, State of Connecticut
• Two certificates (including a training certificate) provided in class
• Proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or U.S. passport
• The local permit verification form completed by the issuing agency

Connecticut states that firearms training must have been completed within the past two years. For students taking our multi-state licensing class, we provide the two required certificates, passport photo, and physical fingerprint card. The remaining tasks for students will be to obtain one of the prior state permits, get certain forms notarized, and the permit verification form filled out by the issuing agency.

Pennsylvania permit

Pennsylvania does not recognize the Massachusetts LTC. If a Massachusetts resident wants to carry in Pennsylvania, they must apply for a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms. Most non-residents must have a concealed carry permit issued by their home state, so Massachusetts residents should wait until they receive their Massachusetts LTC before applying.

Pennsylvania is different from most of the other permits in this guide because you apply through a county sheriff, and you have to make at least one physical visit during the application process. Many of our students look at Pike County because it is one of the easiest and closest Pennsylvania counties when driving from Massachusetts. York County is another option for simplicity. Our recommendation is to apply through either Pike or York County, as they have an online application, historically have issued permits quickly, and you only have to visit once, which is simply to pick up the permit after it has been issued. County policies change, so review the sheriff's page before applying.

Generally, you will need to provide:

• A copy of your Massachusetts LTC
• A copy of your driver's license or state ID
• The application fee

After approval, Pennsylvania licenses must be picked up in person. York County currently says approved licenses are held for 30 days. Pike County has historically required pickup within 45 days. Because these counties tend to issue permits quickly, we recommend only applying when you are ready to pick up the permit.

Other obtainable states

There are other state permits a Massachusetts resident may be able to obtain, but they are not part of our multi-state licensing class because they have additional requirements, such as qualifications, longer training, uniquely qualified instructors, or range conditions we cannot currently support in the same class session. The following states will only recognize their own permits:

California

California now has a non-resident CCW pathway, but it is a separate county-based process. You should have your Massachusetts LTC, own the firearm or firearms you want to list, and book a separate qualification appointment because California requires a live-fire qualification with each handgun you want to carry.

We have a separate step-by-step California guide here. If you are ready for the live-fire portion, you can view our California Non-Resident CCW Qualification Session.

New Jersey

New Jersey issues permits to out-of-state residents, but it has its own process and training standard. You should have your Massachusetts LTC, own the firearm or firearms you want to carry, and be prepared to list those handguns on the application. New Jersey requires the CCARE qualification and a PTC Safe Handling and Proficiency Certification, and you need to qualify with the handgun or handguns you intend to carry.

If you want help with New Jersey, book a separate appointment with us. It cannot be handled as part of the regular multi-state class because the qualification depends on your own firearm or firearms.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island only honors Rhode Island permits. Non-residents may be able to apply, but Rhode Island requires a shooting test at 25 yards, which makes this challenging to complete in the immediate Boston area. We do not regularly offer this service because the primary range we use is limited to 15 yards. If you are interested in obtaining this permit, contact us and we may be able to connect you with an instructor who can conduct the test at a separate location.

Maryland

Maryland issues Wear and Carry Permits to non-residents, but the initial permit requires 16 hours of training by a Maryland-qualified handgun instructor. We do not currently offer the initial Maryland course. We may be able to offer the shorter renewal course on a case-by-case basis, so contact us if that is something you need.

New York

New York may be obtainable for non-residents when applying through New York City, but it requires its own application process and a course taught by a qualified New York instructor. The standard New York concealed carry training requirement is commonly described as 16 hours of classroom instruction plus 2 hours of live-fire training. We do not currently offer this course.

Non-obtainable states

The following states do not recognize the Massachusetts LTC and are not readily obtainable for Massachusetts residents trying to maximize carry coverage. In some cases the state does not issue to non-residents. In others, the state only issues to nearby residents or residents of certain states other than Massachusetts.

Illinois

Illinois only accepts non-resident concealed carry applications from residents of states that Illinois considers "substantially similar" to Illinois. Massachusetts is not treated as one of those eligible states, so Illinois does not currently issue concealed carry licenses to Massachusetts residents. Illinois will currently only issue the CCL to residents of Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Virginia.

Hawaii

Hawaii's carry license statute currently requires the applicant to be a resident of Hawaii. Because of that residency requirement, Hawaii is not currently obtainable for Massachusetts residents.

Colorado

Colorado concealed handgun permits are issued to Colorado residents, with limited exception for active-duty military members stationed in Colorado. Colorado may recognize permits from certain states, but it also generally requires that permit holders of those states be residents of those states. The Massachusetts LTC is not recognized by Colorado, and a Massachusetts resident cannot gain reciprocity with Colorado by obtaining a non-resident permit from a state that Colorado does recognize.

Oregon

Oregon may allow sheriffs to issue concealed handgun licenses to residents of contiguous states who have a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need. Massachusetts is not a bordering state, so Oregon is not a realistic non-resident option for Massachusetts residents.

Conclusion

Carry permit reciprocity and coverage can change constantly. Before relying on any permit while traveling, students must do their own due diligence by checking each state's official rules and a current reciprocity resource such as the USCCA Reciprocity Map.

It is also important to know when each permit expires, what each issuing state requires after an address change, and the carry restrictions that apply in any state where you plan to possess or carry a firearm.