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License to Carry/Firearm Identification Card | City of Worcester
License to Carry/Firearm Identification Card
Firearms Basic Safety Course
Upcoming Firearms Basic Safety Course dates are listed below. There is a twenty dollar ($20) charge for residents of the City of Worcester and a thirty-five dollar ($35) charge for non-residents (non-refundable). We accept cash, checks or money orders payable to the City of Worcester (no charge or debit cards accepted). You must Register in Advance Online through our online permit partner OpenGov. Alternatively, you may also register in advance at the Worcester Police Department License Division, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Space for each course is limited and availability is on a first-come-first served basis.
Schedule an Appointment
Due to the high volume of new applications, the License Division typically books appointments four months out.
Firearms Identification Cards (FID) and License to Carry's (LTC) are processed by appointment only. Please use our online scheduling system linked below to book your appointment.
Schedule Now
Upcoming Courses
September
Monday, 6:30 pm
Firearms Basic Safety Course
Police Headquarters, 9-11 Lincoln Square
October
Monday, 6:30 pm
Firearms Basic Safety Course
Police Headquarters, 9-11 Lincoln Square
October
Monday, 6:30 pm
Firearms Basic Safety Course
Police Headquarters, 9-11 Lincoln Square
Requirements for Application for a License to Carry Firearms
The applicant must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of the City of Worcester, and a citizen or Permanent Resident Alien.
The applicant must submit a completed application, and a copy of their Birth Certificate (U.S or Puerto Rico), Naturalization Papers or Permanent Resident Card , whichever is applicable.
The applicant must submit two (2) typed and signed letters of recommendation. The recommendation must come from a responsible person (NO RELATIVES, no Worcester Police Officers). The letter must state you are a fit person to possess a firearm.
If you have appeared in court for any criminal offense, or if you were the subject of a 209A Restraining Order, you must obtain and submit copies of police reports, 209A affidavits and court documents.
When completing your application, pay close attention to Question #3. Please understand that the question "Have you ever appeared in any court as a defendant" includes all adult and juvenile appearances. It does not matter when you appeared or if the charges were Dismissed, Continued Without a Finding or any other disposition. YOU MUST WRITE IT DOWN. YOU ARE SIGNING THE APPLICATION UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY. YOU CAN BE DENIED A LICENSE AND COULD FACE COURT PROSECUTION FOR PERJURY IF NOT ANSWERED TRUTHFULLY.
The License Fee is $100 payable by Cash, Check or Money Order (made out to the City of Worcester) (non-refundable).
Prior to your appointment date, new applicants must attend a State Certified Firearms Safety Course . Courses are available twice a month at the Worcester Police Department. There is a $20 fee for City residents and a $35 fee for non-residents. Payment is due at time of sign up in the License Unit at the Worcester Police Department.
If you are seeking a License to Carry for employment purposes (armed guard or security work) a letter from your employer typed on company letterhead must accompany your application.
New applications are processed by APPOINTMENT ONLY on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. Please Schedule Your Appointment Online . Renewal applications are scheduled on Mondays and Fridays.
Renewals for previously out-of-town residents must submit (2) two typed and signed letters of recommendation and a copy of their Birth Certificate (U.S. or Puerto Rico only), Naturalization Papers or Permanent Resident Card, whichever is applicable.
If you fail to provide any of the previously described requirements you will be turned away and provided an appointment in the future.
Requirements for Application for a Firearms Identification Card
Step 1
Apply for a Gun Safety Class Online . New users will need to register for an account.
Step 2
Complete the Firearms Records Bureau LTC/FID Application Online . It is your responsibility to upload all supporting documents. If you fail to upload required documents you will be turned away on the date of your scheduled appointment.
Step 3
Set up an LTC or FID Appointment Online .
Click on new LTC/FID for new applicants.
Click on renew LTC/FID for returning applicants.
Available dates will appear in month(s) available.
Make note of your appointment date, time, and number.
If you need to cancel or change date, you will need that information to do so.
Step 4
Go to the Worcester Police Department's License Division to pay on the appointment date and time that you had selected.
Several of your frequently asked questions may be answered by visiting the Firearms Support Services
Massachusetts Firearms Registration and Transfer System
Important Notice - Massachusetts law requires all firearms license holders and gun owners to report all personal sales, transfers and surrenders of firearms through the Massachusetts Gun Transaction Portal. Paper FA-10 forms will no longer be accepted for the above purposes.
MA Gun Portal
Questions about the Portal should be directed to the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services at 617-660-4782.
Letter to Firearms License Applicants
Have a Question?
How do I obtain a license to carry a firearm?
Questions regarding obtaining a license to carry a firearm can be best answered by contacting the Worcester Police Department License Bureau at 508-799-8648.
When is the next firearms safety course?
Upcoming Firearms Basic Safety Course dates can be found in the WPD Calendar . The cost for the residents of the City of Worcester is $20 and $35 for non residents (non-refundable). You must register prior to the course at the Worcester Police Department License Bureau. Hours for registration are 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Additional questions can be directed to the License Bureau at 508-799-8648.
What are the requirements for carrying pepper spray?
The State of Massachusetts no longer requires an FID card to possess pepper spray.
Resources
Application for New/Renewal Firearms Identification Card (FID) or License to Carry (LTC)
Visit Site
Change of Address Notification for FID or LTC
View
Requirements for a License to Carry Firearms
View
Contact Information
Address
Police Headquarters
9-11 Lincoln Square
Worcester, MA 01608
Contact
Phone: 911 / 508-799-8600
Fax: 508-799-8680
[email protected]
Additional WPD Contact Info
Hours
24 Hours x 7 Days
POLICY AND PROCEDURE NO. 335
Firearms Licensing
Massachusetts Police Accreditation Standards:
N/A – No applicable MPAC standards (statutory licensing function)
Date Issued: November 14, 1996
Date Effective: April 24, 2026
Review Date: April 24, 2027 5 Pages
1. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish the procedures and standards governing the issuance,
renewal, suspension, and revocation of Licenses to Carry Firearms (LTC) and Firearm
Identification Cards (FID) by the Worcester Police Department, and to set guidelines for the
collection and accounting of associated fees. The Chief of Police or designee serves as the
licensing authority for the City of Worcester pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter
140, as amended by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 (An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws).
2. POLICY:
It is the policy of the Worcester Police Department to administer firearms licensing in
accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, §§ 121F, 129B, 131, and 131P, as
amended by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024. The Department shall issue licenses and Firearm
Identification Cards to all qualified applicants who are neither prohibited persons nor
determined to be unsuitable, as defined by law. The Department will process all applications,
and maintain accurate licensing records, and ensure that the public safety interests of the City
of Worcester are protected throughout the licensing process.
3. SCOPE:
This policy applies to all personnel assigned to or performing duties within the License
Division of the Worcester Police Department. This policy governs the processing of, issuance,
renewal, suspension, and revocation of Licenses to Carry Firearms and Firearm Identification
Cards, and the collection of associated fees. This policy supersedes and replaces Policy 335
(FID, 1996), Policy 340 (Endorsements on Firearm Applications, 1993), and Policy 405.2
(License to Carry Firearms, 2013).
4. DEFINITIONS:
A. Licensing Authority
The Chief of Police of the City of Worcester, or designee, who is authorized to issue, renew,
suspend, and revoke firearms licenses, identification cards, and permits pursuant to MGL c.
140, §§ 121F, 129B, and 131.
B. License to Carry Firearms (LTC)
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A license issued pursuant to MGL c. 140, § 131, entitling the holder to purchase, rent, lease,
borrow, possess, and carry firearms, including large capacity firearms and ammunition
therefor. An LTC does not entitle the holder to transfer, possess, or carry large capacity feeding
devices or assault-style firearms unless permitted under MGL c. 140, § 131M.
C. Firearm Identification Card (FID)
A card issued pursuant to MGL c. 140, § 129B, entitling the holder to purchase, rent, lease,
borrow, possess, and carry non-large-capacity rifles and shotguns and ammunition therefor.
D. Prohibited Person
A person who is disqualified from obtaining a firearms license, Firearm identification card, or
permit based on the statutory criteria set forth in MGL c. 140, § 121F, including but not limited
to persons convicted of certain felonies or misdemeanors, persons subject to active restraining
orders, persons committed to a mental health facility, persons adjudicated as incompetent,
fugitives from justice, persons subject to an active Extreme Risk Protection Order, and other
categories as defined by state and federal law.
E. Unsuitable Person
A person who, while not a prohibited person, is determined by the licensing authority or by a
court to be unsuitable to be issued a license based on reliable, articulable, and credible
information that the person has exhibited or engaged in behavior suggesting that, if licensed,
the person may create a risk to public safety or a risk of danger to self or others, as set forth in
MGL c. 140, § 121F.
F. Firearm
As defined in MGL c. 140, § 121, as amended by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024: a weapon
which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a shot or bullet, including the frame
or receiver of any such weapon and the unfinished frame or receiver of any such weapon. This
definition encompasses handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Permanently inoperable firearms are
excluded.
5. LICENSE TO CARRY FIREARMS – PROCEDURES:
A. Eligibility
A lawful resident twenty-one (21) years of age or older residing within the City of Worcester,
or any law enforcement officer employed by the City, or any person residing in an area of
exclusive federal jurisdiction located within the City, may submit an application for an LTC
or renewal thereof. The licensing authority shall issue the license pursuant to MGL c. 140, §
121F only if the applicant is neither a prohibited person nor determined to be unsuitable.
B. Application Requirements
All LTC applications shall be submitted on the form prescribed by the Executive Office of
Public Safety and Security. Each initial application shall include a basic firearms safety
certificate meeting the requirements of MGL c. 140, § 131P. Upon an initial application, the
licensing authority shall conduct a personal interview with the applicant.
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C. Background Investigation
Upon receipt of a completed application, the License Division shall conduct the inquiries
required by MGL c. 140, § 121F, including inquiries to: the Commissioner of the Department
of Criminal Justice Information Services regarding any disqualifying condition, prior licensing
information, records of restraint and hospitalization under MGL c. 123, § 12, and records of
firearms transactions; the Commissioner of Probation regarding any record in the Department
of Probation or the Statewide Domestic Violence Record Keeping System; and the
Commissioner of Mental Health regarding whether the applicant is a suitable person to possess
firearms.
D. Issuance
Upon completion of the background investigation, the application shall be forwarded to the
Firearms Records Bureau (FRB) for a final records review. No license shall be issued unless
the Colonel of the State Police, through the FRB, certifies that available information does not
indicate that issuance would violate state or federal law. Following FRB certification, the
licensing authority shall either approve the application and authorize issuance of the LTC or
FID, or deny the application and notify the applicant in writing of the reason for denial, in
accordance with MGL c. 140, § 121F.
E. Machine Gun Licenses
No person shall be issued a license to carry a machine gun, except that the licensing authority
may issue a machine gun license to: a firearm instructor certified by the Municipal Police
Training Committee for the sole purpose of firearm instruction to police personnel, or a bona
fide collector of firearms as defined in MGL c. 140, § 121. This exception does not apply to
automatic devices or automatic parts.
6. FIREARM IDENTIFICATION CARD – PROCEDURES:
A. Eligibility
A lawful resident eighteen (18) years of age or older residing within the City of Worcester may
submit an application for an FID or renewal thereof. A person aged fifteen (15) years or older
but under eighteen (18) years of age may apply for an FID only if the application includes a
certificate from a parent or guardian granting the applicant permission to apply. The licensing
authority shall issue the FID pursuant to MGL c. 140, § 121F if the applicant is neither a
prohibited person nor determined to be unsuitable.
B. Application Requirements
All FID applications shall be submitted on the form prescribed by the Executive Office of
Public Safety and Security. Each initial application shall include a basic firearms safety
certificate meeting the requirements of MGL c. 140, § 131P. A certificate issued by the
Division of Law Enforcement in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law
Enforcement evidencing satisfactory completion of a hunter education course shall serve as a
valid substitute for the basic firearms safety certificate.
7. FEES:
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A. LTC Fees
The application fee for an LTC shall be as established by MGL c. 140, § 121F.
B. FID Fees
The application fee for an FID shall be as established by MGL c. 140, § 129B.
C. Fee Waivers
Fees shall be waived for law enforcement officers employed by the City of Worcester who are
required to carry firearms as a condition of their employment, and for applicants seventy (70)
years of age or older, as required by statute. Any fee waiver not required by statute shall require
the express authorization of the Chief of Police.
D. Fee Accounting
All fees collected by the License Division shall be posted and forwarded to the City Treasurer
in accordance with general accounting procedures established by the Department and the City
of Worcester.
8. SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION:
A. Mandatory Suspension or Revocation
A license or FID shall be suspended or revoked by the licensing authority upon the occurrence
of any event that would have disqualified the holder from being issued the license or card, or
from having it renewed. Upon suspension or revocation, the licensing authority shall take
possession of the license or card, and the holder shall comply with MGL c. 140, § 129D
regarding the surrender of firearms and ammunition.
B. Discretionary Suspension or Revocation
A license or FID may be suspended or revoked by the licensing authority if it appears that the
holder is no longer suitable to possess such license or card, based on the criteria set forth in
MGL c. 140, § 121F. Any suspension or revocation shall be in writing and shall state the
specific reasons therefor.
C. Notification
Notices of suspension and revocation shall be forwarded to the Department of Criminal Justice
Information Services and the Commissioner of Probation in accordance with MGL c. 140, §
121F.
9. APPEALS:
Any person denied, suspended, or revoked may appeal through the process established by
MGL c. 140, § 121F, including petition to the Firearm Licensing Review Board or the
appropriate court. License Division personnel shall provide applicants with written notice of
denial or adverse action that includes information regarding the appeal process as required by
statute.
10. EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS:
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The License Division shall comply with all Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) provisions
set forth in MGL c. 140, § 131R, as amended by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024. A person
who has had their firearms license revoked pursuant to an ERPO shall not be eligible to obtain
any new firearms license or identification card while the ERPO remains in effect. License
Division personnel shall coordinate with the courts and the Department of Criminal Justice
Information Services to ensure prompt processing of ERPO-related licensing actions.
11. REGISTRATION AND ADDRESS CHANGE:
A person issued a license under this policy shall report any change of address via the electronic
firearms registration system administered by the Commissioner of the Department of Criminal
Justice Information Services. Such notification shall be made within thirty (30) days of the
address change. All firearms shall be registered in accordance with MGL c. 140, § 121B, as
amended by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024.
12. OFFICER ENDORSEMENT PROHIBITION:
No member of the Worcester Police Department shall endorse, recommend, or provide a
personal reference for any applicant for a License to Carry Firearms or Firearm Identification
Card. Applicants who are not members of the Department shall be required to seek any
references or endorsements from individuals outside the Department. This prohibition exists
to prevent conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with subsequent licensing actions,
including suspensions and revocations, and is in the best interests of both the officer and the
City.
13. RECORD KEEPING:
The License Division shall maintain records of all licensing actions in accordance with MGL
c. 140, § 121F, including all applications, receipts, fees, affidavits, training certificates, issued
licenses, denials, revocations, suspensions, decisions of the Firearm Licensing Review Board,
and firearm transfers. Records shall be maintained both in Department files and on the
electronic firearms registration system created by the Department of Criminal Justice
Information Services.
14. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
All License Division personnel assigned to process firearms licensing applications shall be
familiar with the current provisions of MGL c. 140, §§ 121–131Q, including all amendments
enacted by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, and with any guidance issued by the Executive
Office of Public Safety and Security. The License Division commander shall ensure that
personnel receive updated training when statutory or regulatory changes take effect.
Per:
Paul B. Saucier
Chief of Police
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Revisions:
April 24,2026:
Complete rewrite consolidating Policy 335 (FID, 1996), Policy 340 (Endorsements on Firearm
Applications, 1993), and Policy 405.2 (License to Carry Firearms, 2013) into a single
comprehensive firearms licensing policy. Updated all statutory references to reflect Chapter
135 of the Acts of 2024 (An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws), effective October 2, 2024,
which substantially amended MGL c. 140, §§ 121–131Q. Key statutory changes incorporated:
new § 121F consolidated licensing procedure with 40-day processing deadline; replacement of
“suitable person” standard with “prohibited person / unsuitable” framework; expanded
definition of “firearm” to include rifles, shotguns, frames, receivers, and unfinished
frames/receivers; new firearms registration requirements via DCJIS electronic system;
expanded Extreme Risk Protection Order provisions under § 131R; updated basic firearms
safety certificate requirements under § 131P; elimination of prior license restriction categories
(Target and Hunting, Sporting, Employment, etc.) that are no longer consistent with current
law. Retained officer endorsement prohibition from Policy 340. Updated fee waiver provisions
to remove references to Airport Police (no longer a City function) and to use generic language
rather than hardcoded employee categories. Reformatted to ADA-compliant policy template.
Updated signing authority to Chief Paul B. Saucier. MPAC: No MPAC accreditation standards
directly govern firearms licensing, which is a statutory function of the licensing authority under
MGL c. 140. This is documented for assessor reference.
Original Issue Date: November 14, 1996
The provisions a municipal licensing page most often touches: G.L. c. 140, § 131 (licenses to carry), G.L. c. 140, § 121F (applications, suitability, judicial review), G.L. c. 140, § 131P (the safety certificate).