SACRAMENTO — Legislation Watch · Signed June 30, 2026 · Effective January 1, 2027 · Last verified August 9, 2026
For once, a bill California gun owners have been rooting for. On June 30, 2026, Governor Newsom signed AB 1948, extending the term of a standard California concealed-carry license from two years to three years. The change appears in the Governor’s June 30 signing announcement and takes effect January 1, 2027.
Key facts
| What it does | Extends standard CCW license terms from 2 years to 3 years |
| Signed | June 30, 2026 |
| Effective | January 1, 2027 |
| Who benefits | All standard CCW holders; certain custodial and reserve officers (Penal Code 831.5 / 830.6) remain eligible for longer terms, up to 6 years on renewal |
| Until then | Permits issued or renewed in 2026 are still 2-year permits |
What’s still unresolved
The statute is clear; the administration of it isn’t yet. Members calling their issuing agencies in early July got the same answer we did: “For now it’s still 2 years — we haven’t received anything.” Open questions sheriffs’ offices haven’t answered:
- Existing permits: Nothing in the bill retroactively extends a permit issued before 2027. Expect your current expiration date to stand.
- Renewals straddling the date: Whether a renewal processed in late 2026 but issued after January 1 gets the 3-year term will likely vary by county until the DOJ issues guidance.
- Updated cards: No word yet on whether agencies will reissue cards or simply print new expiration dates going forward.
Why it matters
The two-year cycle has been one of the most expensive parts of lawful carry in California: renewal fees, mandatory training hours, LiveScan appointments, and — in slow counties — processing queues that eat months of the permit’s own term. A three-year term cuts that overhead by a third. Note that AB 1078’s renewal changes still apply — renewals require a fresh LiveScan as of September 1, 2026 (see our AB 1078 briefing).
What permit holders should do now
- Check your expiration date. If you expire in 2026, renew normally — you’ll get a 2-year permit.
- If you expire in early 2027, ask your issuing agency whether renewals submitted before January 1 will be issued under the new term. Get the answer in writing if you can.
- Don’t let a permit lapse waiting for the longer term — a lapsed permit means restarting as a new applicant in most counties.
Sources
- Governor’s Office — Legislation signed June 30, 2026 (gov.ca.gov)
- AB 1948 bill text (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
- Community reporting: issuing-agency phone checks, July 2026
Educational information only, not legal advice. Verify current status with your issuing agency before acting.