Getting a CCW in Tennessee (2026)

Data verified 2026-10-13 · general legal information, not individualized advice · facts cite official sources (see verification dataset)

Requirements, costs, and steps for a Tennessee concealed carry permit · Updated October 13, 2026 · Not legal advice

This guide is general legal information, not individualized legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security before applying. Last reviewed 2026-10-13.

Quick facts

Pulled from the live reciprocity dataset (ccw.workmanfirearms.com/data/reciprocity.json) and verified against official sources as of 2026-10-13:

• Permit type: Shall Issue — Tennessee issues two permits through the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS): the Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit (EHCP) (open or concealed carry) and the Concealed Handgun Carry Permit (CHCP) (concealed only, with location limits, e.g., no K–12/university carry).
• Constitutional carry: Yes. Dataset: "Permitless open AND concealed carry legal for adults 21+ (18+ active military/honorably discharged) since 7/1/2021 (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1307(g))."
• Minimum age: 21 (dataset — the permitless-carry baseline). The TDOSHS FAQ states the minimum age for a handgun carry permit is 18; the $65 military discount requires active-duty ID or DD-214.
• Duty to inform: No proactive duty (dataset: "No duty to proactively inform"). You must have the permit in your immediate possession when carrying and display it on demand of a law enforcement officer (T.C.A. § 39-17-1351(n)(1); TDOSHS permit-types page).
• Open carry: Allowed (dataset; EHCP and permitless carry cover open carry).
• Restricted locations (dataset): schools, courthouses, police stations, jails, establishments serving alcohol (if posted), parks (pending), government buildings.

Who can apply

Per the TDOSHS FAQ and T.C.A. § 39-17-1351 (as of 2026-10-13):

• Tennessee residents; nonresidents qualify in a narrow exception (valid home-state permit plus full-time Tennessee employment of at least 30 hours/week for 6+ months — confirm with TDOSHS).
• Age 18+ for a permit (FAQ: "The minimum age requirement for a Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit is 18.").
• Not disqualified under state or federal law (felony convictions, domestic-violence prohibitions, etc.).
• Must provide certified proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency (photocopies not accepted), full Social Security number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency if you do not present a Tennessee driver license.
• Original applicants must be fingerprinted.

Step-by-step application process

Issuing authority: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS), Handgun Carry Permit Unit.

1. Complete the application online at dl.safety.tn.gov (TDOSHS recommends online applications; paper is available).
2. Complete training (see Training requirement) — for the EHCP, a Tennessee-certified handgun safety school; for the CHCP, a TDOSHS-approved course or approved online vendor.
3. Schedule and attend a Driver Services Center appointment (or finish entirely online if you hold a REAL ID-compliant Tennessee license): pay the fee, present certified citizenship/LPR proof, SSN proof, photo, and residency documents if needed.
4. Follow the fingerprint instructions sent by TDOSHS (originals only — not required for renewals, duplicates, or lifetime-upgrade applications).
5. The permit is issued for 8 years (T.C.A. § 39-17-1351(n)(1), per the 2026 statutory text).

Costs

Per the TDOSHS permit-fees page, as of 2026-10-13:

• EHCP original: $100.00 ($65.00 with active military ID or DD-214).
• CHCP original: $65.00.
• Lifetime permit (enhanced only): $300.00 ($265.00 military; $200.00 upgrade from an existing permit).
• Renewal (either type): $50.00 — county clerk renewals add a $4.00 clerk fee.
• Duplicate permit: $5.00.
• Training cost: set by each school/vendor (no state-fixed price); the state application fee itself is non-refundable.

Training requirement

• EHCP: Yes — completion of a handgun safety course at a Tennessee Department of Safety–certified school. The Department's training-requirement list specifies an 8-hour handgun safety course certificate completed within 12 months before applying (EHCPTrainingRequirements.pdf); the department's rule chapter describing the state-approved course outlines approximately 6 hours total — 4 hours of classroom instruction plus 2 hours on the range (rule chapter 1340-02-03-.05). Verify the exact course format with your school.
• Accepted EHCP exemptions (per TDOSHS training-requirements list): current valid permit from an approved state (within 12 months), POST certification, TLETA diploma, armed-guard certification (IN-1313/IN-1144), Tennessee DOC annual weapons qualification card, or proof of military handgun training of at least 4 hours.
• CHCP: Yes — training from a TDOSHS-approved course or one of TDOSHS's approved online vendors (per the CCP training-requirements list on tn.gov).

Timeline & renewal

• Validity: 8 years from issuance (T.C.A. § 39-17-1351(n)(1)).
• Renewal: $50.00, online via TDOSHS eServices or at a county clerk (+$4.00 clerk fee).
• Tennessee allows renewal up to one full renewal cycle (8 years) past expiration without retaking training — but you may not carry in places requiring a permit while expired; after 8 years you must apply as a new applicant (TDOSHS FAQ).
• Issuance deadline: TDOSHS must issue the permit no later than 90 days after the department receives the application (T.C.A. § 39-17-1351(l), 2025 text) — confirmed 2026-10-13; expect several weeks in practice.

Where to apply

• TDOSHS Handgun Carry Permits (application + info): https://tn.gov/safety/tnhp/handgun/apply.html
• Online application portal: https://dl.safety.tn.gov/

Sources

• TDOSHS — Permit Fees: https://tn.gov/safety/tnhp/handgun/permitfees.html — accessed 2026-10-13
• TDOSHS — Permit Types: https://tn.gov/safety/tnhp/handgun/permittypes.html — accessed 2026-10-13
• TDOSHS — How to Apply: https://tn.gov/safety/tnhp/handgun/apply.html — accessed 2026-10-13
• TDOSHS — Handgun Carry Permit FAQ: https://tn.gov/safety/tnhp/handgun/faq.html — accessed 2026-10-13
• TDOSHS — EHCP training requirement options (PDF): https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/handgun/EHCPTrainingRequirements.pdf — accessed 2026-10-13
• T.C.A. § 39-17-1351 (2025 text — fees, 90-day issuance deadline, 8-year validity): https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-39/chapter-17/part-13/section-39-17-1351/ — accessed 2026-10-13
• T.C.A. § 39-17-1307(g) (2025 text — permitless carry exception): https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-39/chapter-17/part-13/section-39-17-1307/ — accessed 2026-10-13
• TDOSHS — Rule chapter 1340-02-03 (approved enhanced handgun safety program, PDF): https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/handgun/1340-02-03.pdf — accessed 2026-10-13
• CCW Workman Firearms reciprocity dataset (Tennessee): https://ccw.workmanfirearms.com/data/reciprocity.json — accessed 2026-10-13