Reciprocity and Recognition

***** NOTICE****

Legal review conducted in 2015 pursuant to § 18.2-308.014 of the Code of Virginia identified several jurisdictions that currently fail to meet the statutory requirements for recognition of the concealed carry permits they issue. As a result of that review, effective February 1, 2016, concealed carry permits issued by the following jurisdictions are NO LONGER VALID in Virginia:

As a result of this revocation of recognition Virginia concealed carry permits may no longer be valid in the jurisdictions listed above. Permit holders should, prior to travel, contact each jurisdiction to determine if their permit will be recognized prior to carrying concealed in that jurisdiction.

According to the legal review conducted by the Attorney General's Office, certain states will no longer recognize Virginia concealed handgun permits because Virginia no longer recognizes that jurisdiction's concealed handgun permit. These states are:

Virginia extends reciprocity or recognition to citizens holding both resident and non-resident permits/licenses from the following jurisdictions as set forth below:

Listing of states with which Virginia has Reciprocity Agreements (A formal written agreement exists between the two jurisdictions):

Texas
West Virginia

Listing of states with which Virginia has mutual recognition (Jurisdictions have informally agreed to honor permits issued by the other):

Michigan
Utah
Oklahoma

Virginia non-resident permit holders

Virginia non-resident permit holders should contact each jurisdiction to determine if their permit will be recognized prior to carrying in that jurisdiction.

Virgin Islands Temporary Permit

Persons with a valid Virginia concealed carry permit may apply individually to the United States Virgin Islands Police Department for temporary reciprocal recognition of a CCDW license while in the Virgin Islands. This temporary recognition is normally for ninety (90) days from the date of issue.

An application for temporary privileges may be requested from: 

Office of the Commissioner
Criminal Justice Complex
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-277)

Virginia honors the provisions of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-277) for active and retired law enforcement officers. Active officers must present a photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which the individual is employed as a law enforcement officer. Retired officers must present a photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service as a law enforcement officer; and a certification issued by the State in which the individual resides that indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State to meet the standards established by the State for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm.

Reference: Most material provided in this section is from the Virginia State Police website.