Michigan's Concealed Pistol License (CPL) is one of the more respected carry licenses in the country — honored by approximately 40 states, backed by an 8-hour training requirement, and processed by county clerks with relatively consistent timelines. If you're a Michigan resident looking to carry legally, this guide covers everything you need to know about the process in 2025.
Michigan CPL: Why It's Worth Pursuing
Michigan does not have permitless carry. To carry a concealed pistol anywhere in Michigan, you must hold a valid CPL. There are no shortcuts — every carrier in Michigan has completed a background check and an 8-hour training course.
That training requirement is one reason the Michigan CPL is recognized in so many other states. States that set their own reciprocity standards often look for evidence that a license comes with meaningful training, and Michigan's 8-hour mandate with live-fire qualification meets that bar comfortably.
Michigan CPL Training Requirement: Pistol Safety Training Certificate (PSTC)
Before applying for your Michigan CPL, you must complete an approved 8-hour pistol safety training course from a Michigan-certified instructor and obtain a Pistol Safety Training Certificate (PSTC).
The PSTC course must cover:
- Safe storage and handling of pistols
- Ammunition selection and basic mechanics
- Pistol operation — loading, unloading, clearing malfunctions
- Michigan laws on use of force and deadly force
- Michigan MCL 28.421-28.435 (Concealed Pistol License Act)
- Non-violent conflict resolution
- Live-fire range qualification
The live-fire component is mandatory. You must demonstrate proficiency with a pistol on a range under the supervision of a certified instructor. After completing the course and qualification, your instructor will issue the Pistol Safety Training Certificate.
The PSTC is valid for 5 years. If you already hold one from a previous CPL application, you may be able to use it for renewal if it hasn't expired.
Find Michigan CPL training courses on TrainingOS with certified instructors throughout the state.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Michigan CPL:
- Be 21 or older
- Be a Michigan resident (county of residence application)
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law
- No felony convictions
- No misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence
- Not be subject to an active personal protection order
- Not have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution
- No convictions for stalking within the past 5 years
- Not be subject to certain other criminal disqualifiers under MCL 28.425b
Michigan has a detailed list of disqualifying misdemeanors — more than most states. If you have any prior convictions, consult with a Michigan firearms attorney before applying.
The Application Process (Step by Step)
Step 1 — Complete your 8-hour pistol safety training course. Book a course with a Michigan-certified instructor. Receive your Pistol Safety Training Certificate (PSTC) upon successful completion.
Step 2 — Locate your county clerk's office. Michigan CPL applications are submitted to the county clerk of the county where you reside — not the sheriff and not a state agency. Contact your county clerk's office to confirm their hours and submission process.
Step 3 — Complete the CPL application (RI-060). The standard Michigan CPL application is form RI-060. Your county clerk's office will provide this form, or you can download it from the Michigan State Police website. Fill it out completely and sign it.
Step 4 — Gather supporting documents. You'll need your completed PSTC, your valid Michigan driver's license or state ID, and your completed application.
Step 5 — Submit and pay the fee. The Michigan CPL fee is $100. Submit your application, PSTC, and payment in person at the county clerk's office.
Step 6 — Background check. Michigan conducts a background check through the Michigan State Police and the FBI. The county clerk forwards your application to the MSP after receiving it.
Step 7 — Wait for processing. Michigan law requires the county clerk to issue or deny your CPL within 45 days of receiving a complete application. Many applicants receive their license in 30–40 days.
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 8-hour PSTC training course | $100–$175 |
| State/county application fee | $100 |
| Total | ~$200–$275 |
The Michigan CPL is valid for 5 years. Renewal costs $115 and requires a refresher course or proof of continuing firearms education.
Detroit-Area Nuances
If you live in Wayne County (Detroit), Oakland County, or Macomb County — Michigan's tri-county metro area — the process is the same as anywhere else in the state, but with some practical considerations:
Processing times. Wayne County has historically experienced longer processing times due to higher application volume. If you apply in Wayne County, budget extra time — your 45-day legal deadline may be met but sometimes pushed to the limit.
Range access for training. The Detroit metro has numerous indoor ranges and certified CPL instructors, so finding a quality 8-hour course is straightforward. Many suburban ranges offer weekend PSTC courses.
Urban carry considerations. Detroit presents specific situational awareness considerations — knowing your legal rights, understanding use-of-force law, and practicing regular range time is especially valuable for urban carriers.
Restricted Locations in Michigan
Even with a valid CPL, Michigan law restricts carry in certain locations:
- Schools (K-12) — no carry in school buildings or on school buses
- Public and private child care centers
- Sports arenas with a seating capacity of 2,500 or more (during events)
- Bars (defined as premises whose primary business is alcohol sales)
- University/college classrooms and dorms (Michigan law leaves this to institutional discretion, but most institutions prohibit it)
- Places of worship (unless the presiding official permits it)
- Hospitals and medical care facilities
- Casinos
- Dormitories and classrooms of community colleges and universities
- Any property clearly posted with no-firearms signage
Michigan's list is more restrictive than some states. Familiarize yourself with the full statute (MCL 28.425o) and any venue-specific policies where you regularly spend time.
Michigan CPL Reciprocity
The Michigan CPL is recognized by approximately 40 states — one of the strongest reciprocity networks of any state license. States that honor it include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, among others.
States that do NOT honor the Michigan CPL include California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Connecticut, Hawaii, and Oregon.
The broad reciprocity makes the Michigan CPL especially valuable for residents who travel frequently or split time between Michigan and other states.
Renewal
Michigan CPLs are valid for 5 years. The renewal process:
- Apply through your county clerk's office (same office where you originally applied)
- Pay the $115 renewal fee
- Provide evidence of continuing pistol education (the state does not require a full 8-hour repeat course for renewal, but evidence of some firearms-related training is required)
- A background check is conducted at renewal
Start your renewal process at least 90 days before your CPL expires.
Michigan's CPL process is thorough by design. The 8-hour training requirement, live-fire qualification, and county clerk processing create a system that ensures every license holder has been trained, vetted, and approved. The result is one of the most widely honored carry licenses in the country.
Find Michigan CPL training on TrainingOS and complete your 8-hour pistol safety training with a certified instructor near you. Browse all CCW and defensive carry courses to compare options across the state.
Related: State Guides
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