What are the requirements for a Tennessee HCP?

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a resident of Tennessee, and submit fingerprints. The application is processed by Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit Office.

Is training required for a Tennessee HCP?

Yes. Tennessee requires firearms training to obtain the HCP (8 hours, including 1 hour(s) of live fire). Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit (§ 39-17-1351): a department-approved handgun safety course including both classroom hours and firing-range (live-fire) hours; Tennessee rule requires the course to be at least 8 hours. Concealed Handgun Carry Permit (§ 39-17-1366): a department-approved course, which may be an online course of at least 90 minutes, covering safe handling/storage plus a competency test — no live-fire requirement. Prior military, POST, or law-enforcement-academy training can satisfy the enhanced course requirement.

How long does it take to get a Tennessee HCP?

Tennessee has not published a specific processing-time estimate for the HCP — check with Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit Office for current wait times.

Can non-residents get a Tennessee HCP?

No. Tennessee generally limits the HCP to residents.

How much does the Tennessee HCP cost, and how long is it valid?

The application fee is $100. Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit: $100 for an 8-year permit ($65 for active-duty or honorably discharged military), or $300 for a lifetime enhanced permit ($200 to upgrade an existing 8-year enhanced permit). Concealed Handgun Carry Permit: $65 for an 8-year permit. Fees are set by the Department of Safety & Homeland Security. The permit is valid for 8 years before renewal.

This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.

← Tennesseeoverview & reciprocity

Tennessee HCP Requirements

How to get a Tennessee Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit (HCP): fees, training, fingerprints, processing time, and renewal.

How to apply

Application fee: $100 — Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit: $100 for an 8-year permit ($65 for active-duty or honorably discharged military), or $300 for a lifetime enhanced permit ($200 to upgrade an existing 8-year enhanced permit). Concealed Handgun Carry Permit: $65 for an 8-year permit. Fees are set by the Department of Safety & Homeland Security.
Minimum age: Varies by class — see below
Training: Varies by class — see below
Fingerprints: Required
Processing time: See official source
Validity / renewal: 8 years, then renewal
Residency: Tennessee residents only
Non-resident permit: Not available

Permit classes — procedural details

Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit

Minimum age:: 21
Training:: Required — 8 hours (incl. 1 hr live fire) — Department-approved handgun safety course including both classroom hours and firing-range (live-fire) hours; Tennessee rule sets a minimum 8-hour course (T.C.A. § 39-17-1351(e)). Certain military/POST/law-enforcement training within the prior 5 years may substitute.
Fee:: $100 (same application fee schedule for all classes)

Recommended for out-of-state reciprocity travel. Allows open OR concealed carry and is the class more widely recognized by other states — the permit worth holding for out-of-state travel.

Concealed Handgun Carry Permit

Minimum age:: 21
Training:: Required — Department-approved course covering safe handling/storage of firearms and ammunition plus a competency test; may be completed as an online course of at least 90 minutes (T.C.A. § 39-17-1366). No live-fire requirement.
Fee:: $100 (same application fee schedule for all classes)

Primarily an in-state permit — check reciprocity before relying on it out of state. Permits CONCEALED carry only, and holders may not carry at any school or university. Not as broadly recognized out of state as the Enhanced permit.

Applications are processed by Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit Office.

Steps to get a Tennessee HCP

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 21 years old and a Tennessee resident, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.
Complete the required firearms training. Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit (§ 39-17-1351): a department-approved handgun safety course including both classroom hours and firing-range (live-fire) hours; Tennessee rule requires the course to be at least 8 hours. Concealed Handgun Carry Permit (§ 39-17-1366): a department-approved course, which may be an online course of at least 90 minutes, covering safe handling/storage plus a competency test — no live-fire requirement. Prior military, POST, or law-enforcement-academy training can satisfy the enhanced course requirement.
Get fingerprinted. Submit fingerprints for the state and FBI background check as part of the application.
Submit your application to Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit Office. File your Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit (HCP) application with Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit Office. See the official page for forms and instructions.
Pay the application fee. Pay the HCP application fee of $100. Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit: $100 for an 8-year permit ($65 for active-duty or honorably discharged military), or $300 for a lifetime enhanced permit ($200 to upgrade an existing 8-year enhanced permit). Concealed Handgun Carry Permit: $65 for an 8-year permit. Fees are set by the Department of Safety & Homeland Security.
Receive your permit and note the renewal date. Once approved, your HCP is valid for 8 years, after which it must be renewed.

Note: Tennessee allows permitless carry, so this permit is optional in-state — but it is still worth holding for reciprocity when traveling.

Last verified 2026-07-09 against Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit Reciprocity.

Verify Tennessee rules on the official page →

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Tennessee HCP FAQ

What are the requirements for a Tennessee HCP?: Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a resident of Tennessee, and submit fingerprints. The application is processed by Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit Office.
Is training required for a Tennessee HCP?: Yes. Tennessee requires firearms training to obtain the HCP (8 hours, including 1 hour(s) of live fire). Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit (§ 39-17-1351): a department-approved handgun safety course including both classroom hours and firing-range (live-fire) hours; Tennessee rule requires the course to be at least 8 hours. Concealed Handgun Carry Permit (§ 39-17-1366): a department-approved course, which may be an online course of at least 90 minutes, covering safe handling/storage plus a competency test — no live-fire requirement. Prior military, POST, or law-enforcement-academy training can satisfy the enhanced course requirement.
How long does it take to get a Tennessee HCP?: Tennessee has not published a specific processing-time estimate for the HCP — check with Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit Office for current wait times.
Can non-residents get a Tennessee HCP?: No. Tennessee generally limits the HCP to residents.
How much does the Tennessee HCP cost, and how long is it valid?: The application fee is $100. Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit: $100 for an 8-year permit ($65 for active-duty or honorably discharged military), or $300 for a lifetime enhanced permit ($200 to upgrade an existing 8-year enhanced permit). Concealed Handgun Carry Permit: $65 for an 8-year permit. Fees are set by the Department of Safety & Homeland Security. The permit is valid for 8 years before renewal.

Sources

Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit Reciprocity (2026-07-09)