Question: I sent my application in for my AZ CCW on March 30th 2009.  I called the DPS on May 5th and was told that on that day (May 5th) they were working on applications that they received on March
17th. Working through the math, I would assume that sometime this upcoming week they will finally open my application and begin the process. Providing I submitted a perfect application and there are not
any errors or questions, I should receive my permit by the end of May or the beginning of June.

Let’s assume that since I have never been fingerprinted before and they need a second set of prints or the first set of prints are not legible. I have already waited 50 or so days for them to get to my application. If I need to resubmit something else (second set of fingerprint cards) what happens then? Does the entire wait process start over again and another 60 days will pass before knowing if I am approved for my permit? Can you shed any light as to how this process works?
Answer: I spoke with DPS before answering this question to make sure that I could give you accurate information.  Your math is pretty good.  Today, May 18th, they have started opening AZ CCW applications they received on March 31st and April 1st.  Based on the volume of applications being received, the current processing time for an application is approximately 60 business days.  I would suggest that you wait at least 8 weeks before calling to see if there is a problem with your application since time they spend on the phone answering questions is time they cannot spend processing applications.

If your applications has a deficiency such as illegible fingerprint cards or missing fees, the application is placed in a ’suspense’ file and a letter is sent out noting the deficiency and asking the applicant to submit the missing fee, provide a new fingerprint card or supply whatever else might be missing.  Generally there is a thirty day time limit to submit the missing information.  Once the missing information is received by DPS, the ’suspense’ file is pulled and processed immediately.  The applications do not ‘go to the back of the line’.

In my personal experience, the folks in the CCW Permit Unit at DPS are always helpful and committed to doing the best job possible.  They are also one of the more ‘customer service’ oriented group I’ve worked with.  With the volume of applications being received and the limited resources available it just takes a little longer to get the permits issued now than it did 6 months ago…