FFL License Types – Complete Guide By a Firearms Attorney

Thinking about getting a Federal Firearms License (FFL) but confused about which type you need? You’re not alone. As a firearms attorney who’s helped thousands navigate the FFL process, I’m here to break it down for you.

There are 9 different types of FFL Licenses, each allowing for different business activities with firearms. Whether you want to be a dealer, manufacturer, or importer, there’s an FFL type designed for your needs.

There is also something called an SOT, commonly called a “class 3 license” that exists in conjunction with an FFL, but it is not a type of FFL (or even a “license”).

So with that, let’s dive in and find the right FFL for you.

In this article, you will learn:

• The 9 different types of FFL Licenses and what they allow
• How to choose the right FFL type for your business goals
• The costs associated with each FFL type
• The difference between an FFL and an SOT (Class 3 License)
• Common misconceptions about FFL types and requirements

What is an FFL?

An FFL, or Federal Firearms License, is a permit issued by the U.S. government that allows individuals or businesses to:

1. Manufacture firearms and ammunition
2. Sell firearms and ammunition
3. Import firearms and ammunition

Key points about FFL:

• Issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• Required for engaging in firearms business across state lines
• Different types available based on specific business activities
• Valid for three years before renewal is required

The Federal Firearms License system was created by the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) and is regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

The term “FFL” can be used to refer to both the license and the license holder – this can be confusing if you aren’t paying attention to context. For example, it is sometimes said “I got my FFL” and also, “he is an FFL.”  In this article, we will sometimes refer to the thing as an “FFL License” even though the term is a bit redundant. ????

Who needs an FFL?

You need a Federal Firearms License (FFL) if you plan to engage in the business of:

• Buying firearms for resale
• Selling firearms
• Manufacturing firearms
• Importing firearms

Key points to remember:

1. “Engaged in the business” is crucial, but it doesn’t require a formal company structure.
2. You don’t need an FFL for:
   • Buying or selling personal firearms
   • Making firearms for personal use
3. An FFL becomes necessary when you:
   • Buy firearms with the intent to resell
   • Make firearms with the intent to sell

Most FFLs are actually home-based! Interested in getting your own FFL, even from home? Check out our comprehensive guide on how to get an FFL. It covers everything you need to know about the process, requirements, and best practices.

What are the Different Types of FFL Licenses?

There are 9 different types of FFL Licenses – we cover each FFL type in detail below.

As you can see from the table of FFL License Types above, you can either be a firearms dealer (sell firearms), a firearms or ammunition manufacturer (make firearms and ammunition for sale), a firearms importer (bring foreign guns into the country), or you can be a collector.

It’s easiest to explain each type of FFL by grouping them into categories:

• Dealer FFLs (Type 1, Type 2, or Type 9 FFLs) generally allow the licensee to engage in the business of selling firearms. As an FFL Dealer, you can also be a gunsmith. If you’re interested in pawning firearms, you’ll need a Type 02 FFL and if you’d like to deal with Destructive Devices (DD), you’ll need a Type 09 FFL .
• Manufacturer FFLs (Type 6, Type 7, or Type 10 FFLs) allow the licensee to manufacturer firearms or ammunition as a business. Under federal law, you can make your own firearms and ammunition. However, if you make them with the intent to sell them, then you’ll need the appropriate license. If you’d like to only make ammunition, a Type 06 FFL is for you. However, if you’d like to make firearms, and also possibly ammunition, then you’ll need a type 07 FFL. And just like with the Dealer category above, if you want to make Destructive Devices (DD), you’ll need a specific FFL, in this case a Type 10 FFL. As a note, if you have a firearm manufacturer FFL (Type 07 or Type 10), you can also be a dealer.
• Importer FFLs (Type 08 or Type 11 FFLs) allows the licensee to import firearms from another country.
• A Collector FFL (type 03 FFL) allows the licensee ONLY to collect Curio and Relic (C&R) firearms. This does not allow any “business” activity with firearms (making, selling, or importing) and is only for people that like collecting C&R firearms for themselves and want the firearms shipped straight to them. C&R firearms are those at least 50 years old or that appear on a list from the ATF.

Even if you’re not interested in getting your own FFL, knowing about the different types of Federal Firearm Licenses is still important because you should know who you’re dealing with. For example, if you are shipping a firearm to someone who is claiming to be an FFL but they only hold a Type 6 FFL (ammunition manufacturer) then you MUST use another FFL that can deal with firearms for a transfer.

We’ll cover more about each FFL type in detail below.

FFL License Cost

Each FFL License has a different cost for the first three years and FFL renewals depending on which FFL Type you get.

The most common type of FFL, the Type 01 dealer/gunsmith FFL costs $200 for the first three years and $90 for each renewal period thereafter.

The second most common type of FFL, the Type 07 firearm manufacturer FFL, costs $150 for the first three years and also $150 for each three year renewal.

As you can see, although the Type 7 Manufacturer FFL is cheaper for the first three years, the Type 01 dealer FFL is much cheaper for renewals.

Here’s a breakdown of the cost of each FFL Type for the initial application and first 3 years and also the renewal cost for each subsequent 3 year period:

If you’d like to learn more about these costs, please see my article on FFL License Cost.

Navigating FFL Types and Requirements

Choosing the right FFL type is crucial, but it can be complex. To simplify the process and increase your chances of approval, consider taking the Rocket FFL Course.

EXPERT TIP: Save time and avoid costly mistakes with our Rocket FFL Course. For just $50, you’ll learn how to: – Select the right FFL type for your needs – Properly complete all required forms – Prepare for your ATF interview Don’t risk application denial – let an expert guide you through the process!

Now, let’s explore each FFL type in detail…

What is an SOT (Class 3 License)?

First off, an SOT is a status as a taxpayer so it’s not really a “license.”

SOT stands for Special Occupational Taxpayer. To become an SOT, you must first be an FFL and then pay an annual federal tax. SOTs are divided into three classes (discussed below).

By registering as an SOT and paying the once a year tax, you can work with NFA firearms without having to pay a tax for every single NFA firearm you make or sell.

NFA firearms, so called because they are covered under the National Firearms Act) are a special class of firearms that are highly regulated under federal law.

NFA firearms are:

• silencers/suppressors (yes, they’re legally “firearms”),
• short barreled rifles (rifles with a barrel less than 16″ or an overall length less than 26″),
• short barreled shotguns (shotguns with a barrenness than 18″ or an overall length less than 26″),
• destructive devices (grenades and bombs), and
• “any other weapons (AOWs)” (pen guns, handguns with a vertical fore grip, etc.)

The making or transfer of NFA firearms requires a $200 federal tax upon manufacturer and for each and every transfer for all but AOWs… they cost only $5.

However, as an FFL that is also an SOT, the once yearly tax is all that is needed and the per item tax isn’t paid. This not only saves money when dealing multiple items, it is required for manufacturers.

Depending on the type of activity you’d like to conduct and which type of FFL License you have, you need to be one of the three classes of SOT:

• Class 1 SOT: For importing NFA firearms
• Class 2 SOT: For manufacturing NFA firearms
• Class 3 SOT: For dealing/selling NFA firearms

Note, an FFL who sells NFA firearms is sometimes called a “Class 3 Dealer” or that they sell “Class 3 firearms.” Neither is technically correct – they are a dealer FFL who is a Class 3 SOT selling NFA firearms. The NFA firearms aren’t “class 3” because they were made by a Class 2 SOT or imported by a Class 1 SOT.

Here’s a table with the type of FFL matched up with the Class of SOT and the cost to be an SOT whether you make over or under $500k annually. Note, the cost only increases over $500k for certain FFL types:

For more details, check our “Class 3 Firearms License” article or if you’d like help with the process, this course on How to Become an SOT

FFL License Type Details

As discussed above, there are 9 types of FFLs – each license type allows different firearms activity.

Let’s explore each type of FFL, and what each license type allows:

Type 01 FFL

The Type 01 FFL License type for dealers and/or gunsmiths is, by far, the most popular type of FFL in the country. Your local gunshot, and even most home-based FFLs (yes, you can have an FFL from your home) are Type 01 FFLs.

With this FFL License type, you can buy and sell guns for a business purpose. If you’d like help getting this FFL, check out RocketFFL

Type 02 FFL

Type 02 FFLs aren’t very common – they are effectively a Type 01 FFL but they allow you to conduct pawnbroker activities. The difference to the ATF is that some firearms in your inventory won’t be the business’s property and pawned firearms have a higher likelihood of being crime guns.

Type 03 FFL

Type 03 FFLs are for collectors of Curio and Relics ONLY. You can not engage in any business activity related to firearms with this FFL. If you’d like to collect antique guns and avoid having to go down to your local gun shop for transfers, then this collector’s FFL might be for you.

Type 06 FFL

The Type 06 FFL is for manufacturing ammunition ONLY. You can not use this FFL to buy and sell firearms nor make guns. Remember, it is perfectly legal under federal law to make your own ammunition. However, once you start to make ammunition with the intent to sell it, you need with this FFL or a Type 07 FFL.

Type 07 FFL

The Type 07 manufacturer FFL is the second most common FFL type in the country. This FFL allows you to manufacture firearms for sale (it also allows you to manufacture ammunition, too). If you are getting this FFL and plan to make firearms (even simply assembling AR style rifles), then you need to be prepared to have the firearms marked in accordance with ATF rules and regs. If you need help, check out Rocket FFL’s ATF compliance program.

Type 08 FFL

If you’re going to import standard firearms, then the Type 08 FFL is for you. Just like with the Type 07 FFL, you need to be prepared to mark them properly.

Type 09 FFL

If, in addition to buying and selling normal firearms, you’d also like to buy and sell Destructive Devices, you’ll need to be a Class 3 SOT and have this FFL.

Type 10 FFL

If you’d like to manufacture firearms AND/OR Destructive Devices, then you’ll need to be a Class 2 SOT and have this FFL License type.

Type 11 FFL

If you’d like to import firearms AND/OR Destructive Devices, then you’ll need to be a Class 1 SOT and have this type of FFL License.

Which FFL Type Should You Get?

You’re likely reading this because you want to get an FFL and are wondering which FFL license type you should get.

Chances are you’re most likely going to be able to use a Type 01 FFL if you want to be a firearm dealer or a gunsmith. The Type 01 FFL is, by far, the most popular type of FFL for conducting business.

The second most popular FFL is the Type 07 FFL which is needed if you intend to manufacture firearms.

Here’s a chart of the popularity of each FFL License type:

FFL License Types By State

Here’s a breakdown of how many of each FFL License type is currently in each state of the country.

As you can see from the table of FFL Types by state below, Texas has the most FFLs. This shouldn’t be surprising.

Also, as you can see, the Type 01 and the Type 07 are the most popular FFL License Types in the country.

FFL Types FAQ