Utah Code § 53-5a-303

Bureau duties -- Permit to carry concealed firearm -- Certification for concealed
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firearms instructor -- Requirements for issuance -- Violation -- Denial, suspension, or
revocation -- Appeal procedure.
(1)
(a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), the bureau shall issue a concealed carry permit
allowing the carrying of a concealed firearm for lawful self defense to an applicant who is 21
years old or older within 60 days after receiving an application, unless the bureau finds proof
that the applicant is not qualified to hold a permit under Subsection (2) or (3).
(b)
(i) Within 90 days before the day on which a provisional permit holder under Section 53-5a-304
reaches 21 years old, the provisional permit holder may apply under this section for a permit
to carry a concealed firearm for lawful self defense.
(ii) The bureau shall issue a permit for an applicant under Subsection (1)(b)(i) within 60 days
after receiving an application, unless the bureau finds proof that the applicant is not qualified
to hold a permit under Subsection (2) or (3).
(iii) A permit issued under this Subsection (1)(b):
(A) is not valid until an applicant is 21 years old; and
(B) requires, before July 1, 2026, a $10 application fee and, on or after July 1, 2026, an
application fee set by the bureau.
(iv) An individual who applies for a permit under this Subsection (1)(b) is not required to retake
the firearms training described in Subsection 53-5a-303(8).
(c) A concealed firearm permit issued in accordance with this section is valid throughout the state
for five years, without restriction, except as otherwise provided by Section 53-5a-102.2.
(d) Subsection (4)(a) does not apply to a nonresident:
(i) active duty service member, who presents to the bureau orders requiring the active duty
service member to report for duty in this state; or
(ii) active duty service member's spouse, stationed with the active duty service member,
who presents to the bureau the active duty service member's orders requiring the service
member to report for duty in this state.
(2)
(a) The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit if the applicant or
permit holder:
(i) has been or is convicted of a felony;
(ii) has been or is convicted of a crime of violence;
(iii) has been or is convicted of an offense involving the use of alcohol;
(iv) has been or is convicted of an offense involving the unlawful use of narcotics or other
controlled substances;
(v) has been or is convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude;
(vi) has been or is convicted of an offense involving domestic violence;
(vii) has been or is adjudicated by a state or federal court as mentally incompetent, unless the
adjudication has been withdrawn or reversed; or
(viii) is not qualified to purchase and possess a firearm pursuant to Title 76, Chapter 11, Part 3,
Persons Restricted Regarding Dangerous Weapons, or federal law.
(b) In determining whether an applicant or permit holder is qualified to hold a concealed firearm
permit under Subsection (2)(a), the bureau shall consider mitigating circumstances.

(3)
(a) The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit if the bureau has
reasonable cause to believe that the applicant or concealed firearm permit holder has been or
is a danger to self or others as demonstrated by evidence, including:
(i) past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence;
(ii) past participation in incidents involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence; or
(iii) conviction of an offense in Title 76, Chapter 11, Weapons.
(b) The bureau may not deny, suspend, or revoke a concealed firearm permit solely for a single
conviction of an infraction violation of an offense in Title 76, Chapter 11, Weapons.
(c) In determining whether the applicant or concealed firearm permit holder has been or is a
danger to self or others, the bureau may inspect:
(i) expunged records of arrests and convictions of adults as provided in Section 77-40a-403;
and
(ii) juvenile court records as provided in Section 78A-6-209.
(d)
(i) The bureau shall suspend a concealed firearm permit if the permit holder becomes a
temporarily restricted person in accordance with Section 53-5a-504.
(ii) Upon removal from the temporary restricted list described in Section 53-5a-504, the
concealed firearm permit holder's permit shall be reinstated unless:
(A) the concealed firearm permit has been revoked, been suspended for a reason other than
the restriction described in Subsection (3)(d)(i), or expired; or
(B) the concealed firearm permit holder has become a restricted person under Section
76-11-302 or 76-11-303.
(4)
(a) In addition to meeting the other qualifications for the issuance of a concealed firearm permit
under this section, a nonresident applicant who resides in a state that recognizes the validity
of the Utah permit or has reciprocity with Utah's concealed firearm permit law shall:
(i) hold a current concealed firearm or concealed weapon permit issued by the appropriate
permitting authority of the nonresident applicant's state of residency; and
(ii) submit a photocopy or electronic copy of the nonresident applicant's current concealed
firearm or concealed weapon permit referred to in Subsection (4)(a)(i).
(b) A nonresident applicant who knowingly and willfully provides false information to the bureau
under Subsection (4)(a) is prohibited from holding a Utah concealed firearm permit for a
period of 10 years.
(c) Subsection (4)(a) applies to:
(i) all applications for the issuance of a concealed firearm permit received by the bureau; and
(ii) an application for renewal of a concealed firearm permit by a nonresident.
(5) The bureau shall issue a concealed firearm permit to a former peace officer who departs full-
time employment as a peace officer, in an honorable manner, within five years of that departure
if the officer meets the requirements of this section.
(6) Except as provided in Subsection (7), the bureau shall also require the applicant to provide:
(a) the address of the applicant's permanent residence;
(b) one recent dated photograph;
(c) one set of fingerprints; and
(d) evidence of general familiarity with the types of firearms to be concealed as defined in
Subsection (8).

(7) An applicant who is a law enforcement officer under Section 53-13-103 may provide a letter
of good standing from the officer's commanding officer in place of the evidence required by
Subsection (6)(d).
(8)
(a) General familiarity with the types of firearms to be concealed includes training in:
(i) the safe loading, unloading, storage, and carrying of the types of firearms to be concealed;
and
(ii) current laws defining lawful use of a firearm by a private citizen, including lawful self-
defense, use of force by a private citizen, including use of deadly force, transportation, and
concealment.
(b) An applicant may satisfy the general familiarity requirement of Subsection (8)(a) by one of the
following:
(i) completion of a course of instruction conducted by a national, state, or local firearms training
organization approved by the bureau;
(ii) certification of general familiarity by an individual who has been certified by the bureau,
which may include a law enforcement officer, military or civilian firearms instructor, or hunter
safety instructor; or
(iii) equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in an organized shooting
competition, law enforcement, or military service.
(c) Instruction taken by a student under this Subsection (8) shall be in person and not through
electronic means.
(d) An individual applying for a renewal permit is not required to retake the firearms training
described in this Subsection (8) if the individual:
(i) has an unexpired permit; or
(ii) has a permit that expired less than one year before the date on which the renewal
application was submitted.
(9)
(a) An applicant for certification as a Utah concealed firearms instructor shall:
(i) be at least 21 years old;
(ii) be currently eligible to possess a firearm under Section 76-11-302 or 76-11-303;
(iii) have:
(A) completed a firearm instruction training course from the National Rifle Association or
another nationally recognized firearm training organization that customarily offers firearm
safety and firearm law instructor training or the Department of Public Safety, Division of
Peace Officer Safety Standards and Training; or
(B) received training equivalent to one of the courses referred to in Subsection (9)(a)(iii)(A) as
determined by the bureau;
(iv) have taken a course of instruction and passed a certification test as described in
Subsection (9)(c); and
(v) possess a Utah concealed firearm permit.
(b) An instructor's certification is valid for three years from the date of issuance, unless revoked
by the bureau.
(c)
(i) In order to obtain initial certification or renew a certification, an instructor shall attend an
instructional course and pass a test under the direction of the bureau.
(ii)
(A) The bureau shall provide or contract to provide the course referred to in Subsection (9)(c)
(i) twice every year.

(B) The course shall include instruction on current Utah law related to firearms, including
concealed carry statutes and rules, and the use of deadly force by private citizens.
(d)
(i) Each applicant for certification under this Subsection (9) shall:
(A) before July 1, 2026, pay a fee of $50.00 at the time of application for initial certification;
and
(B) on or after July 1, 2026, pay a fee determined by the bureau.
(ii) The renewal fee for the certificate is:
(A) before July 1, 2026, $25; and
(B) on or after July 1, 2026, a fee determined by the bureau.
(iii) The bureau may use a fee paid under Subsections (9)(d)(i) and (ii) as a dedicated credit to
cover the cost incurred in maintaining and improving the instruction program required for
concealed firearm instructors under this Subsection (9).
(10) A certified concealed firearms instructor shall provide each of the instructor's students with the
required course of instruction outline approved by the bureau.
(11)
(a)
(i) A concealed firearms instructor shall provide a signed certificate to an individual successfully
completing the offered course of instruction.
(ii) The instructor shall sign the certificate with the exact name indicated on the instructor's
certification issued by the bureau under Subsection (9).
(iii)
(A) The certificate shall also have affixed to it the instructor's official seal, which is the
exclusive property of the instructor and may not be used by any other individual.
(B) The instructor shall destroy the seal upon revocation or expiration of the instructor's
certification under Subsection (9).
(C) The bureau shall determine the design and content of the seal to include at least the
following:
(I) the instructor's name as it appears on the instructor's certification;
(II) the words "Utah Certified Concealed Firearms Instructor," "state of Utah," and "my
certification expires on (the instructor's certification expiration date)"; and
(III) the instructor's business or residence address.
(D) The seal shall be affixed to each student certificate issued by the instructor in a manner
that does not obscure or render illegible any information or signatures contained in the
document.
(b) The applicant shall provide the certificate to the bureau in compliance with Subsection (6)(d).
(12) The bureau may deny, suspend, or revoke the certification of an applicant or a concealed
firearms instructor if it has reason to believe the applicant or the instructor has:
(a) become ineligible to possess a firearm under Section 76-11-302 or 76-11-303, or federal law;
or
(b) knowingly and willfully provided false information to the bureau.
(13) An applicant for certification or a concealed firearms instructor has the same appeal rights as
described in Subsection (16).
(14) In providing instruction and issuing a permit under this part, the concealed firearms instructor
and the bureau are not vicariously liable for damages caused by the permit holder.
(15) An individual who knowingly and willfully provides false information on an application filed
under this part is guilty of a class B misdemeanor, and the application may be denied, or the
permit may be suspended or revoked.

(16)
(a) In the event of a denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit, the applicant or permit
holder may file a petition for review with the board within 60 days from the date the denial,
suspension, or revocation is received by the applicant or permit holder by certified mail, return
receipt requested.
(b) The bureau's denial of a permit shall be in writing and shall include the general reasons for
the action.
(c) If an applicant or permit holder appeals the denial to the review board, the applicant or permit
holder may have access to the evidence upon which the denial is based in accordance with
Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.
(d) On appeal to the board, the bureau has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the
evidence.
(e)
(i) Upon a ruling by the board on the appeal of a denial, the board shall issue a final order within
30 days stating the board's decision.
(ii) The final order shall be in the form prescribed by Subsection 63G-4-203(1)(i).
(iii) The final order is final bureau action for purposes of judicial review under Section
63G-4-402.
(17)
(a) The bureau shall, beginning July 1, 2026, establish fees authorized in this part in accordance
with the procedures specified in Section 63J-1-504.
(b) When submitting the information required to the Legislature under Subsection 63J-1-504(6)
(a), the bureau shall also provide, for the previous five years categorized by year:
(i) the number of permit holders;
(ii) the amount of revenue deposited into the Concealed Weapons Account created in Section

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