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How do I get a Tennessee handgun carry permit?

Tennessee's Concealed Handgun Carry Permit has a Department list of approved online course vendors. The Enhanced permit asks anyone who is not otherwise exempt to attend a handgun safety course.

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The rule, fact by fact

Online accepted
The Department lists approved online course vendors for the Concealed permitA separate training-requirements list says which firearms training counts.
Verified. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security · Handgun Carry Permits: How To Apply (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Cost
$100 for an original 8 year Enhanced permit, $65 for a military applicantThe lower fee needs an active military ID or a DD-214 listing honorable discharge.
Verified. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security · Handgun Carry Permits: Fees (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Valid for
Permits are issued on an 8 year cycleThe fee page states this for handgun carry permits in general.
Same source and date as above
Who needs it
The minimum age for a permit is 18This is the age given in the Department's FAQ.
Verified. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security · Handgun Carry Permits: FAQ (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check the basics first. You must be at least 18 and a Tennessee resident, with one exception for the 8-year Enhanced permit: an out-of-state permit holder who shows proof of working in Tennessee at least 30 hours a week for at least six consecutive months. First-time applicants for either permit are fingerprinted.

  2. Step 2. For the Concealed permit, the Department lists approved online and in-person courses, and says its posting is not an endorsement. For the Enhanced permit, you attend a Tennessee handgun safety course unless you are otherwise exempt.

  3. Step 3. If you have military handgun training of four hours or more and can prove it, the Enhanced permit does not make you meet the firing range and classroom requirements.

  4. Step 4. At a Driver Services Center, a Concealed applicant submits proof of training and pays $65.00. Enhanced applicants pay $100.00, or $65.00 for a military applicant. Renewing an 8 year Enhanced permit costs $50.00.

Before you pay

Pick your course from the Department's lists before you pay for any class. We haven't confirmed from a state source whether you need a permit at all to carry a handgun, so read the statute before you apply.

Questions

Can I carry openly with the Concealed permit?

No. The Concealed permit requires carrying concealed at all times, while the Enhanced permit allows open or concealed carry.

Does the Concealed permit cover schools?

No. The Department says the Concealed permit may not be used to carry at any school or university, public or private.

What happens to my permit if I move away?

The Department says your Tennessee permit will be cancelled if your residence changes to another state.

What to do next

Start with the Department's handgun permit application page, which lists the steps and fees for each permit.

www.tn.gov

Sources we read