Idaho is a constitutional carry state, so anyone, resident or not, who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed or open. For those who want a resident permit, perhaps for reciprocity, applications are made at the DMV (!!), the background check comes back fairly quickly, the permit is good for 5 years, and the total cost is $56. No training requirement, no reference checks. Permit holders are exempt from needing another background check when purchasing firearms in the future.
But, Washington State doesn’t recognize the permit. They do recognize the Idaho Enhanced Concealed Weapons Permit. Since Spokane is our nearest ‘big’ city, we occasionally have a need to make the 30 minute trip to go in. Like other Washington cities it has a significant drug and crime problem, so the Enhanced permit made sense.
The application process is the same, pay $56 at the DMV, but an 8 hour training class is required. They average about $130, and are easy to find. The classroom portion is similar to that in NJ, except half of it must be taught by an attorney. We had a criminal defense attorney from town, and it was a great addition. The instructor and the attorney have to sign off on the training form. The range training requires that 100 rounds be fired, but there is no guidance as to distance, time limits, target used, or score. We did all of ours on full-size silhouette targets at about 8 yards. No holster draw, barricade, or positions other than standing, but it did include two-hand, strong-hand, weak-hand shooting, plus reloads. We moved fairly quickly from single shots to double taps to mag dumps to Mozambique drills–2 COM, followed by one to the head, simulating a threat wearing body armor.
Once my application was in, it was exactly 30 days until I was notified to come to the DMV, get photographed, and pick up my printed temporary permit. The laminated card is coming in the mail. After 5 years, renewals are done by mail for $30, no need to repeat training.
Idaho is a castle doctrine/stand your ground state. No duty to inform if stopped by law enforcement, but if you have a permit is will show up if they run your driver’s license. There are very few prohibited places; elementary and secondary schools, courthouses, and any detention facility, plus those prohibited at the federal level, like airports downstream from security. I’ve seen almost no businesses putting up no gun signs, and the signs don’t have force of law, so if you leave when asked, no charges can be brought.