Sacramento, California – Sacramento County residents who hold concealed carry permits will soon be able to spend less time watching the expiration date. A newly signed California law will allow standard CCW licenses to remain valid for up to three years.
The change, announced in an update from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, will not take effect immediately. Assembly Bill 1948 begins January 1, 2027, extending the maximum license period from the current two years.
For existing permit holders, the key detail is simple. Nothing changes on the license already in their possession.
Current CCW permits will remain valid only through the expiration date printed on them. They will not automatically receive an additional year once the new law takes effect, and permit holders must still complete the normal renewal process.
New licenses and renewals issued on or after January 1, 2027, may qualify for a term of up to three years. Eligibility for the longer period will depend on whether the applicant meets all requirements established under state law.
Although the permit timeline is changing, the process for receiving one is not being relaxed. Applicants will still be required to complete background checks, firearms training and every other condition that applies under California law.
That means AB 1948 changes how long an approved standard CCW license may last, not who can receive one or what must be completed before approval.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office issued the update to help residents understand the transition before the law takes effect. Permit holders should continue following the dates and conditions listed on their current licenses rather than assuming the new three year term applies early.
For residents planning a renewal around the start of 2027, the date the license is issued will matter. Licenses processed before January 1 will remain subject to the current term, while qualifying permits issued from that date forward may receive the longer validity period.