Federal firearms licensing, explained
Get your FFL without guessing at the paperwork
The federal license itself is cheap. What costs people time is a zoning surprise, a missing fingerprint card, or the wrong license type. These guides walk through each step the way it actually happens.
Counts from ATF's public FFL listing, August 2026. Collector (Type 03) licenses are not included in that listing.
The process
What getting licensed actually looks like
ATF has 60 days to act on a complete application. Most of the delay people run into happens before the envelope is mailed, so that is where these guides spend the most time.
- Pick the right licenseSelling, gunsmithing, building, importing? The license type decides the fee and what you are allowed to do.
- Clear zoning and set up the businessConfirm your premises are allowed, register the business and get a sales tax permit.
- File ATF Form 5310.12Fingerprints and a photo for every responsible person, the fee, and a copy to your local chief law enforcement officer.
- Sit for the qualification interviewAn ATF investigator reviews records, background checks and storage with you, usually at your premises.
- Receive the license and open accountsAdd a Special Occupational Tax if you plan to deal in NFA items, then set up distributors.
License types at a glance
Nine license types, three that most people choose
Nearly everyone applying for a business license ends up with a Type 01, a Type 07 or a Type 02. The rest are specialized.
| Type | What it covers | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Dealer in firearms, including gunsmiths | $200 | $90 |
| 02 | Pawnbroker in firearms | $200 | $90 |
| 03 | Collector of curios and relics | $30 | $30 |
| 07 | Manufacturer of firearms and ammunition | $150 | $150 |
| 08 | Importer of firearms and ammunition | $150 | $150 |
Guides
Read in whatever order you need
Each guide stands on its own. If you are starting from zero, the FFL guide is the best first stop.
FFL Guide: Where to Start
The whole process on one page, with a map of which guide answers which question.
Read the guide →EligibilityRequirements for an FFL
Age, prohibited-person rules, premises, zoning and responsible persons. What ATF actually checks.
Read the guide →ReferenceTypes of FFL Licenses
Types 01 through 11, what each one allows, what they cost, and how many are active.
Read the guide →BusinessHow to Become an FFL Dealer
The business side: picking a model, distributors, insurance, transfer fees and first-year costs.
Read the guide →ApplicationFederal Firearms License Guide
ATF Form 5310.12 section by section, fingerprints, the CLEO copy, and the qualification interview.
Read the guide →NFAClass 3 SOT License Guide
Special Occupational Tax classes, what a Class 3 dealer can sell, and how NFA transfers work.
Read the guide →PlanningFFL + Class 3 SOT Roadmap
Planning both at once: which pairing to pick, the order of filings, a budget and a compliance calendar.
Read the guide →FAQFFL License FAQ
Short answers to the questions people ask before, during and after applying.
Read the guide →State notes
The federal license is only half of it
Background check systems, waiting periods, tax registration and zoning all depend on where you are. We cover these states in detail.
How to Get an FFL in Florida
FDLE background checks, the waiting period, pawnbroker licensing and local business tax receipts.
Read the guide →MichiganGetting an FFL in Michigan
Township zoning, pistol sale records, the 2024 background check law and state tax registration.
Read the guide →IdahoIdaho FFL Guide
A state with no dealer license, no waiting period and an unusually high share of manufacturers.
Read the guide →