How To Apply

• The first step of applying for an original Tennessee handgun carry permit would be to complete the application online under the Handgun Permit tab. 
• Once the application has been completed, if you are not otherwise exempt, you must attend a Tennessee handgun safety course.
  • A list of certified handgun safety schools can be found through online services under the Handgun Permit tab.
  • Click here for a list of acceptable exemptions from the handgun safety course.
• Once the course has been completed, you will visit a Driver Services Center.*
  • You may schedule an appointment for your visit by scheduling a Driver License Appointment. 
  • At the Driver Services Center:
    • Pay application fee of $100 ($65 with active military ID or DD-214 listing honorable discharge) for an eight (8) year permit.
      Provide CERTIFIED PROOF of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency (Photocopies will not be accepted)
    • Provide proof of full SSN
    • Have photo taken
    • If you do not currently have a Tennessee driver license, you must submit two proofs of Tennessee residency with your name and resident address - NO P.O. BOXES (Documents must be current and within last 4 months.)
    • Present a photo ID to the Department at the time of filing the application
  • Once transaction is complete, the examiner will provide you with the instructions for being fingerprinted.

* If you have a Real ID compliant driver license, you may avoid the driver service center by going back to online services and choosing the “Finish Your Application” option under the Handgun Carry Permits section. Here you may upload any required documents and pay the application fee. Fingerprinting instructions will be provided on your confirmation page.

* FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
* Incomplete applications will not be processed

• Must be a Tennessee resident
• The first step of applying for an original Tennessee conceal carry permit would be to complete the application online under the Handgun Permit tab. 
• See training requirements for a list of firearms training accepted for the Conceal Carry Permit. 
  • A list of approved online course vendors can be found here.
  • Must fill out CCP Proof of Training form to submit along with training proof.
• Once the course has been completed, you will visit a Driver Services Center.*
  • You may schedule an appointment for your visit by scheduling a Driver License Appointment. 
  • At the Driver Services Center:
    • Pay application fee of $65 for an eight (8) year permit
    • Submit completed CCP Proof of Training form along with training proof
    • Provide CERTIFIED PROOF of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency (Photocopies will not be accepted)
    • Provide proof of full SSN
    • Have photo taken
    • If you do not currently have a Tennessee driver license, you must submit two proofs of Tennessee residency with your name and resident address - NO P.O. BOXES (Documents must be current and within last 4 months.)
    • Present a photo ID to the Department at the time of filing the application
  • Once transaction is complete, the examiner will provide you with the instructions for being fingerprinted

* If you have a Real ID compliant driver license, you may avoid the driver service center by going back to online services and choosing the “Finish Your Application” option under the Handgun Carry Permits section. Here you may upload any required documents and pay the application fee. Fingerprinting instructions will be provided on your confirmation page.

* FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
* Incomplete applications will not be processed

• Must be a Tennessee resident.
• The first step of applying for an original Tennessee handgun carry permit would be to complete the application online under the Handgun Permit tab. 
• Once the application has been completed, if you are not otherwise exempt, you must attend a Tennessee handgun safety course.
  • A list of certified handgun safety schools can be found through online services under the Handgun Permit tab.
  • Click here for a list of acceptable exemptions from the handgun safety course. (Insert EHCP Training requirements)
• Once the course has been completed, you will visit a Driver Services Center.*
  • You may schedule an appointment for your visit by scheduling a Driver License Appointment. 
  • At the Driver Services Center:
    • Pay application fee of $300 ($265 with active military ID or DD-214 listing honorable discharge) for an eight (8) year permit
    • Provide CERTIFIED PROOF of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency (Photocopies will not be accepted)
    • Have photo taken
    • Provide proof of full SSN
    • If you do not currently have a Tennessee driver license, you must submit two proofs of Tennessee residency with your name and resident address - NO P.O. BOXES (Documents must be current and within last 4 months.)
    • Present a photo ID to the Department at the time of filing the application
  • Once transaction is complete, the examiner will provide you with the instructions for being fingerprinted.

* If you have a Real ID compliant driver license, you may avoid the driver service center by going back to online services and choosing the “Finish Your Application” option under the Handgun Carry Permits section. Here you may upload any required documents and pay the application fee. Fingerprinting instructions will be provided on your confirmation page.

* FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
* Incomplete applications will not be processed.

• Must have a current valid handgun permit in state of residence.
• Must show proof currently employed in Tennessee full-time (30 hours per week) and have been for at least 6 consecutive months.
• The first step of applying for an original Tennessee handgun carry permit would be to complete the application online under the Handgun Permit tab. 
• Once the application has been completed, if you are not otherwise exempt, you must attend a Tennessee handgun safety course.
  • A list of certified handgun safety schools can be found through online services under the Handgun Permit tab.
    • Click here for a list of acceptable exemptions from the handgun safety course.
• Once the course has been completed, you will visit a Driver Services Center. 
  • You may schedule an appointment for your visit by scheduling a Driver License Appointment. 
  • At the Driver Services Center:
    • Pay application fee of $100 ($65 with active military ID or DD-214 listing honorable discharge) for an eight (8) year permit
    • Provide CERTIFIED PROOF of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency (Photocopies will not be accepted)
    • Provide proof of full SSN
    • Have photo taken
    • Show current, valid permit from state of residence
    • Show proof currently employed in Tennessee full-time (30 hours per week) and have been for at least 6 consecutive months.
    • Present a photo ID to the Department at the time of filing the application
  • Once transaction is complete, the examiner will provide you with the instructions for being fingerprinted.

* FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
* Incomplete applications will not be processed

• The first step of applying for an original Tennessee handgun carry permit would be to complete the application online under the Handgun Permit tab. 
  • Please print this SF-1551 form — you will need to complete the top portion of the form and present it to your Human Resource Office or Chief Law Enforcement Officer to complete the bottom portion of the form.  A letter from the law enforcement agency on letterhead stating years of service and confirmation of retirement in good standing may be submitted in lieu of Form 1551.
• Once the form has been completed, you will visit a Driver Services Center. 
  • You may schedule an appointment for your visit by scheduling a Driver License Appointment. 
  • At the Driver Services Center:
    • Provide CERTIFIED PROOF of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency (Photocopies will not be accepted)
    • Provide proof of full SSN
    • Provide completed SF-1551 form
    • If you do not currently have an Enhanced Handgun Safety Course, provide proof of handgun training:
    • A list of certified handgun safety schools can be found through https://dl.safety.tn.gov/ under the Handgun Permit tab.
    • Click here for a list of acceptable exemptions from the handgun safety course.
    • Have photo taken
    • If you do not currently have a Tennessee driver license, you must submit two proofs of Tennessee residency with your name and resident address - NO P.O. BOXES (Documents must be current and within last 4 months.)
    • Present a photo ID to the Department at the time of filing the application
  • Once transaction is complete, the examiner will provide you with the instructions for being fingerprinted.

*If you have a Real ID compliant driver license, you may avoid the driver service center by emailing the following to handgun.permits@tn.gov:

• Completed SF-1551 form
• Completed and signed application. printable application
• Proof of handgun training:
  • A list of certified handgun safety schools can be found through https://dl.safety.tn.gov/ under the Handgun Permit tab.
  • Click here for a list of acceptable exemptions from the handgun safety course.
• Once the transaction is complete, you will be emailed the instructions for being fingerprinted.

• Pursuant to TCA §36-6-626; §39-17-1308a; §39-17-1365, a person granted an Order of Protection has the ability to carry a handgun for 21 calendar days if they legally own the firearm and carry a copy of the Protective Order
• Within 21 days of Order of Protection being issued, you may apply for a Temporary Handgun Carry Permit
• Present the following at a Driver Services Center:
  • Certified copy of the Order of Protection
  • Proof of identity
  • CERTIFIED PROOF of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency (Photocopies will not be accepted)
  • Proof of full SSN
  • If you do not currently have a Tennessee driver license, you must submit two proofs of Tennessee residency with your name and resident address - NO P.O. BOXES (Documents must be current and within last 4 months.)
  • Photo ID to the Department at the time of filing the application
• The Handgun Permit Unit will run a name based background check

• The temporary permit comes in the form of a letter without photograph, is valid for sixty (60) days and must be carried along with a certified copy of the Order of Protection.

• To apply for a Tennessee handgun carry permit renewal online, visit online services under the Handgun Permit tab and fill out the application.
• Once the application is completed, the renewal fee of $50.00 will be paid on the website
• FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

• Visit a Driver Services Center convenient to you. 
• At the Driver Services Center:
  • Complete an application
  • Pay the application fee of $50.00 for an eight (8) year renewal
  • Have new photo taken
• FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

• Complete and sign a new application. printable application
• Mail the application and the $50.00 fee, payable by check or money order, to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSH) at:

Handgun Permit Unit
PO Box 23710
Nashville, TN 37202

• FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

*If listing out of state mailing address on the application, must include copy of military orders, showing stationed out of state.
 

• To apply for a Tennessee handgun carry permit renewal at a partnering County Clerk Office, the application will be completed at the center or application will be completed and brought into the center. 
  • Please contact the County Clerk Office before visiting to verify that they process handgun permit renewals.
• The renewal fee of $50.00, plus an additional $4.00 fee, will be paid at County Clerk Office. 
• Have photo taken
• FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
   

• To apply for a Tennessee handgun carry permit renewal online, visit online services under the Handgun Permit tab and fill out application.
• Once the application is completed, the duplicate fee of $5.00 will be paid on the website

• FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

• Visit a Driver Services Center convenient to you.
• At the Driver Services Center:
  • Complete an application
  • Pay the application fee of $5
  • Have a new photo taken
• FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

• Complete and sign a new application. Printable applications:
  • Enhanced Handgun Carry permit
    
  • Concealed Handgun Carry permit
    
• Mail the application and the $5.00 fee, payable by check or money order, to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSH) at:

Handgun Permit Unit
PO Box 23710
Nashville, TN 37202

• FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

*If listing out of state mailing address on the application, must include copy of military orders, showing stationed out of state.