Post 6 – How to Renew My Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL)
Post 6 – How to Renew My Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL)
Last updated: 6/8/14
No. When you fill out the Concealed Pistol License application you “certify” with your signature (NOT a class certificate) that you have “completed at least 3 hours’ review of the training described under section 5b(7)(c) and has had at least 1 hour of firing range time in the 6 months immediately preceding the subsequent application”. Section 5b(7)(c) refers to the original 8-hour training course that was required to obtain your CPL.
Some Counties require proof of range time and some do not, so contact your County Clerk to find out or just bring your receipt from the range.
What does the law say? Read Section 5l(8):
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-28-425l
2.) When should I renew?
The earlier the better, some Counties take several months to issue a CPL renewal and you don’t want to get caught without a valid license. You can apply for your renewal up to 6 months before your CPL expires. If you get approved early don’t worry because the start date of your new license will be the same as the end date of your current license, so you’ll still get all 5 years.
What does the law say? Read Section 5l(3):
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-28-425l
3.) What happens if my CPL expires before the Gun Board renews it?
The concealed weapon licensing board is required to issue or deny issuance of your renewal license within 60 days after your application for renewal is properly submitted. If the concealed weapon licensing board fails to deny or issue your renewal license within 60 days as required, the expiration date of your current license is extended by 180 days or until the renewal license is issued, whichever occurs first. When carrying a concealed pistol after the expiration date of your license pursuant to an extension you are required to keep the receipt issued by the County Clerk and your expired license at all times when carrying a pistol.
What does the law say? Read Sections 5l(4), 5l(5) and 5l(6):
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-28-425l
4.) Can I renew my CPL after it’s expired?
Yes. The renewal process is always the same, even if your CPL is already expired.
5.) Things to make the renewal process easier and less expensive:
A. You may be able to fill out and pay for your application online. Go to your County Clerk website to find out. You’ll still need to go to the County Clerk to sign your application and submit a current Passport photo.
B. If you have a smartphone, you can use an ID photo app to take your picture. Just make sure you have a white background. One student did this and sent the picture to a local franchise store with a photo print service and only spent 20 cents. The County she lives in charges $10 to take the same picture. If you have a printer that prints photos and you use photo paper you can print the picture yourself.
