Key Takeaways
- The Arizona resident CCW permit is honored in 36+ states.
- The Arizona non-resident CCW permit is honored in a smaller subset — always confirm before you travel.
- Reciprocity is not identical to Arizona law: the destination state's rules apply while you are there.
- A handful of states (CA, NY, NJ, MA, HI, IL) do not honor any out-of-state permit.
How Arizona CCW reciprocity works
Reciprocity is a formal recognition by one state that another state's concealed-carry permit is valid within its borders. Arizona has one of the most widely recognized permits in the country because the Arizona statute and application process meet or exceed the standards most reciprocity states require.
There are two Arizona permits to be aware of: the resident permit (issued to Arizona residents) and the non-resident permit (issued to eligible U.S. citizens who live in other states). They are not treated identically by every reciprocity state — that distinction is the single biggest source of confusion for travelers.
Resident vs. non-resident: the critical distinction
Some states honor Arizona's resident permit but not its non-resident permit. The reason is historical: a handful of states will only recognize an out-of-state permit if the permit holder lives in the state that issued it. This prevents residents of restrictive states from obtaining a non-resident permit elsewhere and using it at home or in transit.
Examples of states that honor the Arizona resident permit but restrict or exclude non-resident permits include Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Policies change — always verify with the destination state's Attorney General or DPS website before you travel.
States that honor the Arizona resident CCW permit
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Several of these states are also constitutional-carry states, meaning a permit is not strictly required to carry there — but carrying with your Arizona permit still provides legal clarity and, in some states, access to restricted locations closed to permitless carriers.
States that honor the Arizona non-resident CCW permit
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
If you hold an Arizona non-resident permit and plan a road trip, map your route against this narrower list. Crossing through a non-honoring state — even briefly — can create legal exposure.
States that do not honor any out-of-state permit
California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York do not recognize the Arizona CCW permit (resident or non-resident). Carrying concealed in these states with an Arizona permit is not lawful.
Some of these states require their own permit application from residents and do not offer a non-resident equivalent to visitors. If you regularly travel to one of these states, an Arizona permit alone is not enough — plan accordingly.
Traveling with your Arizona permit — practical tips
Carry your physical permit and a government-issued photo ID together whenever you are armed outside Arizona. Digital copies are not accepted in most states.
The destination state's laws control while you are there: magazine capacity limits, restricted locations (schools, government buildings, restaurants that serve alcohol), and duty-to-inform rules can all differ from Arizona.
If you are transporting a firearm through a non-honoring state, federal law (18 U.S.C. §926A) protects lawful interstate transport when the firearm is unloaded and stored inaccessibly (typically in the trunk). This is transport, not carry — do not rely on it to justify carrying concealed.
How to verify a state's current reciprocity
State reciprocity policies change with each legislative session. The most reliable source is the destination state's Attorney General or Department of Public Safety website. The Arizona DPS also maintains a current reciprocity page.
Before every trip, spend two minutes verifying: (1) does this state honor Arizona permits; (2) does it honor my specific permit type (resident vs. non-resident); (3) are there any pending policy changes taking effect this year.