How To Get Your Tennessee Concealed Carry Permit
Whether you're new to owning a firearm or have had a gun for home defense for years, getting a concealed handgun permit may seem daunting. It doesn't have to be. There are many reasons and ways to carry a concealed weapon, but the first step is knowing Tennessee's concealed carry laws. Applying for a HCP varies by state.
Read about the process for getting a Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit below.
Steps To Get A Tennessee Concealed Carry Permit
COMPLETE a firearms safety or training course.
The Tennessee standard HCP requires proof of demonstrated competence with a firearm via training or safety course with a duration minimum of 90 minutes.
The Tennessee Enhanced HCP requires a minimum 8 hour handgun safety course certificate or other proof of training
COMPLETE the application or apply in person
PROOF OF IDENTITY
Go to a Driver Services Center. You may schedule an appointment for your visit by scheduling a Driver License Appointment. You will need the following:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency;
- Photo ID – TN driver license, state ID card, 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 (documents must be current and within last 4 months);
- Pay the fee.
When your application is processed at the Driver Service Center, you will be photographed and given instructions on being fingerprinted.
CHECK YOUR MAILBOX
You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.
Find a CCW Training Class
What Are the Firearms Training Requirements in Tennessee?
Handgun courses must be certified by the Tennessee Department of Safety and must have been completed within the last 12 months.
A component of all department-approved handgun safety courses must be instruction on alcohol and drugs, the effects of those substances on a person’s reflexes, judgment and ability to safely handle a firearm, and the Tennessee prohibition against possession of a handgun while under the influence.
Enhanced HCP Training Requirement Options:
- 8 Hour handgun safety course certificate
- P.O.S.T. certification
- To obtain this exception, a copy of current POST certification must be presented with the application. This does not apply to reserve officers, part-time officers, or other uncertified peace officers.
- T.L.E.T.A. (The Law Enforcement Training Academy)
- To obtain this exception, a copy of signed T.L.E.T.A diploma/certificate pertaining to handgun training must be presented with the application.
- Armed Guard
- To obtain this exception, a copy of the armed registration card, certificate (IN-1313) issued by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, or a Certificate of Successful Completion of Guard Training (IN-1144) must be presented with the application.
- Dept. of Corrections
- To obtain this exception, a copy of the annual weapons qualification card (CR2938) issued by the Tennessee Department of Correction must be presented with the application.
- Proof of military handgun training
- The Department of Safety and Homeland Security is mandated to require applicants to submit proof of the successful completion of a department approved handgun safety course. An applicant is not required to comply with the firing range and classroom requirements if the applicant can prove successful completion of handgun training of not less than four (4) hours as required by any branch of the military.
- Military personnel who can prove that they have completed four (4) hours of handgun training and who provide proof of that training may be exempt from taking the handgun safety course altogether.
- If you did not complete four (4) hours of handgun training or you can’t provide proof of the training, you may be eligible to only take the classroom portion of the handgun safety class under §39-17-1351 (e).
- Military personnel that have had small arms qualification training or combat pistol training listed on their Honorable discharged DD214 form will be exempt from taking the firing range portion of the Handgun Safety Class, but they must take the classroom portion.
What Are the Tennessee License to Carry a Handgun Requirements?
An applicant must:
- Be at least 21 years old or 18 for active duty, retired or honorably discharged members of the military;
- Have completed an approved firearms 8-hour safety course within the last 12 months for enhanced HCPs or a 90-minute online course, or equivalent for a concealed HCP;
- Be a resident of the state of Tennessee;
- Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency;
- Not have renounced their United States citizenship;
- Not be an illegal alien or unlawfully in the United States;
- Not have a felony conviction and not currently under indictment for a felony;
- Not have a charge pending for domestic violence and never have been convicted of domestic violence;
- Not be a fugitive from justice;
- Not have been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions;
- Not have an order of protection or a restraining order filed against them;
- Not be an unlawful user of or addicted to alcohol or any controlled substance or controlled substance analogue;
- Not be a patient in a rehabilitation program and not have been hospitalized for alcohol, controlled substance or controlled substance analogue within 10 years (if court ordered) or 3 years (if voluntary);
- Not have had 2 convictions for DUI in 10 years, with one of those being within the last 5 years;
- Not currently under the jurisdiction of the court for a DUI or any other class A misdemeanor conviction;
- Not have been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to/or hospitalized in a mental institution;
- Not had a court appoint a conservator for them by reason of mental defect;
- Not have been judicially determined to be disabled by reason of mental illness, development disability or other mental incapacity;
- Not have been found by a court to pose an immediate substantial likelihood of serious harm, because of mental illness within 7 years from the date of application;
- Not have been convicted of stalking and have no pending charge(s) for stalking;
- Not be receiving social security disability benefits by reason of alcohol dependence, drug dependence, or mental disability; and
- Meet federal law requirements.
*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Tennessee.
What are the Fees and Terms?
$65-300 Initial Permit Pending Level and Duration
90 Day Processing Time
$50 Permit Renewal
Valid for Eight Years from Date of Issue. Lifetime Permit Available
Where Can I Find Application Forms?
What Concealed Carry Permit Options Exist Based on Residency?
Residency Changes:
Moving to Tennessee and interested in applying for a resident permit? How soon can you apply?Tennessee issues permits to residents, active duty military stationed in the state or out-of-state residents who work in Tennessee on a regular basis and have been employed in the state for at least six months. You can apply for your permit once you can provide evidence that you are a resident or are employed in the state or are stationed in Tennessee.
If a person with a handgun permit from another state decides to become a resident of Tennessee, the person must obtain a Tennessee handgun permit within six months of establishing residency in Tennessee. The permit may be issued based on the person having a permit from another state provided the other state has substantially similar permit eligibility requirements as this state. However, if during the six-month period the person applies for a handgun permit in this state and the application is denied, the person shall not be allowed to carry a handgun in this state based upon the other state's permit.
Moving from Tennessee and have a Tennessee resident permit? Does that permit transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Tennessee permit remains valid?If a person with a Tennessee resident handgun carry permit establishes residency in another state, the pistol permit expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.
How Do I Renew My Concealed Carry Permit in Tennessee?
Handgun Permits can be renewed within 6 months before the expiry date. Permits can be renewed up to one cycle past the expiry date. A new application will need to be made if more than 8 years has elapsed since the expiry date.
Complete the online application or visit a Driver Services Center. Some You can also inquire as to whether your County clerk's office provides this service. You will need the following:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or residency; and
- Photo ID – driver license, state ID card, etc.
Pay the fee.
CHECK YOUR MAILBOX
You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.
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Make sure you understand Tennessee Gun Laws and Tennessee concealed carry reciprocity with other states.