I'm licensed by the State of Washington to carry a concealed pistol, which I do on a regular basis (since getting my CPL and starting to carry, I almost feel naked now when I leave my home without my sidearm - it's one of those things that if you need it and you don't have it, you'll really feel sorry!). Concealed carry licenses vary in their requirements for issuance and restrictions from state to state, so unlike drivers licenses, many states do not honor the licenses of other states. If one state has a more restrictive standard than another, the state with the less restrictive standard will typically honor the license of the stricter state, but the same is not true in reverse.
There are several online resources that put reciprocity information at your fingertips. The best I've seen so far is carryconcealed.net's interactive CCW reciprocity map.
To check if your license is honored in the state you are traveling to (or states you are traveling through on your way to your final destination - this is important to know!), start by clicking on your home state. The map will ask if you hold a resident or non-resident license in that state (after you set your primary, you can select states where you hold non-resident licenses, which could cover you in more states). The map will then shade in green the states that honor your license. Simple!
Since I'm heading for Idaho next weekend, my Washington CPL covers me (the same would not be true in Washington if I had a license issued in Idaho - I'm not sure why exactly). As long as my license is in my possession any time I'm carrying while in Idaho, I'm all set (I always have my license on me when I'm out and about, even if I'm not carrying - you generally can't go wrong if you just keep it in your wallet!).
If you're hitting the road and you're not putting on your "sheep suit," but if you're unsure about the concealed weapon laws of the places you're traveling through/to, check out that map. It can save you a lot of trouble and give you peace of mind.
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