You must be a U.S. Citizen, or legal alien who can document continuous residency in the United States for at least six months and have declared, in writing, the the INS your intent to acquire citizenship (e.g. Form N300)

1. You must be 21 years of age.
2. You must be a resident of Columbia County or the State of Washington. Columbia County Sheriff's Office may issue a license to residents of the State of Washington provided a compelling reason for having an Oregon Concealed Handgun License is given and you have already obtained a Washington CWP.
3. Have no outstanding warrant(s) for your arrest.
4. You must not be on any form of pretrial release.
5. Must not have had any misdemeanor convictions in the last four years.
6. Never been convicted of a felony,
7. Must not have received a dishonorable discharge or dismissal from the armed forces of the United States.
8. You must not be required to register as a sex offender in any state.
9. Cannot be subjected to a restraining order or sited for stalking under an Oregon ORS.
10. Must not have been committed to the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 426.130.
11. You must not have been found mentally ill under ORS 426.130 and prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm because of mental illness.
12. Must not be subject to an Order under ORS 426.133 ordering to participate in assisted outpatient treatment.
13. Must not be within the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court.
14. Must not have had any misdemeanor or felony drug convictions or diversions other than for marijuana, Must not have had more than one violation or misdemeanor conviction or diversion for marijuana possession.
15. Demonstrate competency with a handgun by any of the following:
    1. Hunter education or hunter safety taught by the State Department of Fish or Wildlife with handgun safety as a component.
    2. National Rife Association (NRA) course with handgun safety as a component.
    3. Law Enforcement, community college, private or public institution instructed by NRA certified instructor with handgun safety as a component.
    4. Evidence of equivalent experience with a handgun through military or organized shooting competition.
    5. Completion of any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a firearms instructor certified by law enforcement agency or the NRA and handgun safety was a component of the course.

1.  You must have a current Washington State issues CPL which can be used as one piece of your identification when applying for your Oregon CHL.
2. When applying for your CHL, you must complete a statement stating a compelling reason as to your need for an Oregon CHL, which will be answered in response to a question in the application.

Applications for all CHLs will be submitted through a secure third-party software called Permit Direct by Permitium. This means that you can fill out the application from your computer or smartphone 24 hours a day. Click here Permitium to start the online application process.

Once our office has received all of the required documentation, including fingerprints (for new and transfers only) and a picture, we have 45 days to process your application.

Instead of calling or emailing, please utilize the online tool to check on the status of your application at any time. Simply go onto the Order Tracker feature that can be found in your confirmation email. 

No. We must have a copy of your actual certificate. Your certificate must be uploaded to your Permitium account no later than the day before your appointment time.

If you fail to do so, your appointment will be rescheduled for another day.

Please wait until you receive your Washington CPL before applying for your Columbia County CHL. 

We cannot accept a copy of your receipt as proof of meeting that requirement.

Please visit Permitium to renew your CHL. Once we have verified that your application is complete, you will receive an email indicating that you may come to the Sheriff's Office for verification of identification and the taking of a new photograph for your CHL. Your personal appearance is necessary to comply with Oregon Revised Statute 166.295 which governs CHL renewals. Please do not come in before you receive the email indicating that your application is complete. Instructions on when to come will be provided in the email.  You will be given a receipt at that time which validates your CHL for an additional 45 days. Please carry this receipt with your current CHL until your new CHL arrives in the mail.

If you are an active member of the armed forces of the United States, the National Guard of the United States or the Oregon National Guard, you may submit an application for a renewal here Permitium 

Yes. You must submit a change of address application online should you move anytime within your licensure period.

The address on your change of address application must match the address with the licensing authority of your State.

Click here to submit your change of address application: Permitium

Yes. You must submit a change of address application online should you move anytime within your licensure period.

The address on your change of address application must match the address with the licensing authority of your State.

Click here to submit your change of address application: Permitium

Once your new address is updated with the Department of Motor Vehicles, you would apply for a CHL transfer. 

Click here to apply for your CHL Transfer:Permitium

No. You must have a valid concealed handgun license to carry concealed. 

You must apply to renew your CHL and receive your new card in the mail before you are legal to conceal carry again.

A current government issued photo identification (i.e., DMV issued driver license or ID Card, US Passport, etc.)

One other current piece of identification (i.e., voter's precinct card, insurance card, employee ID card, etc.)

For Washington Residents, your valid Concealed Pistol License (CPL)

A course in which you must demonstrate competency with a handgun by one of the following methods:

1. Hunter education/safety course taught by the State Department of Fish or Wildlife with handgun safety as a component.
2. National Rifle Association course with handgun safety as a component.
3. Law Enforcement training course or security office training with handgun safety as a component.
4. Evidence of equivalent experience with a handgun through military or organized shooting competition.
5. Completion of any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a firearms instructor certified by a law enforcement agency or the National Rifle Association in handgun safety as a component. 

Before you may apply for a Concealed Handgun License in Oregon, you must first take and pass an approved concealed handgun course.

There are a number of courses that are out there which are provided by private individuals that might quality depending on the content and instructor approval by the NRA.

We recognize the Oregon State Sheriff's Association online course as an approved course which can be found here: oregonchl.org

Currently Oregon does not recognize any other state's Concealed Handgun License.

Your Oregon CHL will carry no force outside of Oregon unless recognized by another State.

Before traveling to another state, city or county, check their current information to learn about any reciprocity agreements.

Yes. Columbia County Sheriff's Office only issues to out of state residents from the state of Washington.

You must have a current Washington State issued CPL and you must have a compelling reason as to your need for an Oregon CHL

• If you have had your gun rights restored in Oregon, due to an Oregon conviction, you are likely to be eligible for an Oregon CHL.
• If you have had your gun rights restored in any other state, for an out of state conviction, that does not guarantee eligibility for an Oregon CHL. We suggest you seek advice from legal counsel.