Massachusetts permit requirements

Official-source summary. Values we could not confirm are labelled, never filled with assumptions.

At a glance

Permit required to carry

Yes

Permit currently issued

Yes

Issuance structure

Shall Issue

Issuing level

Local

Minimum age

21 Confirm with the issuing agency

Training

Required

Live fire

Not confirmed. Check with Local Police Department

Application fee

Reported: License to Carry Firearms: $100; License to Carry - retired law enforcement officers: $25; Firearms Identification (FID) Card: $100; FID Card for applicants under 18: $25; Non-Resident Firearms License: $100. Confirm at the source

Permit term

Reported: Up to 6 years. It expires on your birthday, not less than 5 and not more than 6 years after it was issued. Confirm at the source

Residency required

Yes. Massachusetts resident, or a non-resident with a temporary non-resident license from the Firearms Records Bureau. Confirm with the issuing agency

Processing time

Up to 60 days Confirm with the issuing agency

Some current details are not fully confirmed. Verify dates, fees, and requirements on the official page before relying on them.

Issuing agency: Local Police Department

Source: Commonwealth of Massachusetts — last checked 2026-10-04

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What to know in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is listed as a shall-issue state, and its permit is the License to Carry (LTC): local offices handle applications, so the office you use depends on where you live. The issuing agency is Local Police Department.

A training course is required before you apply in Massachusetts.

After a move or name change, tell the issuing agency within 30 days, and an online option is reported. Confirm with the issuing agency

Official page: Commonwealth of Massachusetts · Reciprocity: where a Massachusetts permit is honored

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