FFL License Types
Depending on the type of firearm business activity you’d like to conduct, you’ll need a particular “type” of FFL license.
An FFL is a license that allows the Federal Firearm Licensee (the person/company that has an FFL license) to import, make, or sell firearms as a business.
Federal Firearm Licenses, by themselves, allow dealing, manufacturing, or importing of GCA / Title I firearms only. These include standard rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
How Many FFL License Types Are There?
There are currently 9 different types of FFL licenses:
- Type 01 FFL – Firearm Dealer and Gunsmith
- Type 02 FFL – Pawnbroker and Firearm Dealer
- Type 03 FFL – C&R Collector
- Type 06 FFL – Ammunition Manufacturer
- Type 07 FFL – Firearm Manufacturer
- Type 08 FFL – Importer of Firearms
- Type 09 FFL – Dealer of Destructive Devices
- Type 10 FFL – Manufacturer of Destructive Devices
- Type 11 FFL – Importer of Destructive Devices
The three main categories of business activity allowed by FFLs are dealing (selling) guns, making (manufacturing) guns, and importing guns into the country.
- Dealers need FFL license types 01, 02, or 09
- Manufacturers need FFL license types 06, 07, or 10
- Importers need FFL license types 08 or 11
Here’s a table with a summary of each FFL License type along with its purpose and what SOT class is required.
FFL License Types
| FFL License Type | FFL License Purpose | SOT Class |
|---|---|---|
| Type 01 FFL | Dealer/Gunsmith of Firearms | 3 |
| Type 02 FFL | Pawnbroker/Dealer of Firearms | 3 |
| Type 03 FFL | Collector of Firearms | n/a |
| Type 06 FFL | Manufacturer of Ammunition | n/a |
| Type 07 FFL | Manufacturer/Dealer of Firearms and Ammunition | 2 |
| Type 08 FFL | Importer/Dealer of Firearms | 1 |
| Type 09 FFL | Dealer of Destructive Devices | 3 |
| Type 10 FFL | Manufacturer/Dealer of Destructive Devices | 2 |
| Type 11 FFL | Importer/Dealer of Destructive Devices | 1 |
Categories of FFL License Types
Each FFL license type can be broken down into four basic categories:
- Collector FFL – This category can not “engage in the business of firearms.” As the name suggests, it is for collecting firearms only.
- Dealer FFL – These FFLs may purchase and sell guns as a business and they may also operate as gunsmiths.
- Manufacturer FFL – There are two types of these FFLs: manufacturers of firearms and ammunition and manufacturers of ammunition only. Firearm and ammunition manufacturers may, of course, manufacture firearms and ammunition and also act a dealer. Ammunition manufacturers may only manufacture ammunition and may NOT act as a firearm manufacturer nor dealer.
- Importer FFL – These FFLs may import firearms and/or ammunition and also act as a dealer.
Here’s a break-down of the types of activities that can be conducted depending on the FFL license type.
Note that the Type 3 FFL and Type 6 FFL do not allow any business activity with firearms. This is because the Type 3 is for collecting only and the Type 6 is for manufacturing ammunition only.
Firearm Activity by FFL License Type
| FFL Type | Firearm Dealer | Firearm Manufacturer | Firearm Importer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 FFL | ✓ | X | X |
| Type 2 FFL | ✓ | X | X |
| Type 3 FFL | X | X | X |
| Type 6 FFL | X | X | X |
| Type 7 FFL | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Type 8 FFL | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Type 9 FFL | ✓ | X | X |
| Type 10 FFL | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Type 11 FFL | ✓ | X | ✓ |
You can tell which type of FFL someone has once you know what each part of an FFL number means.
The cost for each FFL license varies from $30 up to $3,000 for the both the initial FFL application fee and the 3-year renewal fee. For a breakdown of these costs, see our article, How Much Does an FFL Cost?
FFL with SOT
An FFL holder must also become a Special Occupational Taxpayer (SOT) in order to deal, manufacture, or import NFA /Title II firearms. These firearms include specially regulated items like Silencers, Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs), and full-auto machine guns.
Different classes of SOTs may engage in different activities.
- Class 1 SOT – These SOTs may Import and deal NFA / Title II firearms
- Class 2 SOT – These SOTs may manufacture and deal NFA / Title II firearms
- Class 3 SOT – These SOTs may deal NFA / Title II firearms
The tax-rate for SOT registration varies depending on how much you sold for some FFLs.
FFL Types, 9, 10, and 11 are the only FFLs that allow working with Armor Piercing Ammunition and Destructive Devices.
Which Type of FFL is Right For You?
So, which FFL License Types should you get? Chance are, you choice is between a Type 1 dealer FFL or a Type 7 manufacturer FFL.
These are the two most common types of FFLs. For example, see the graph of the distribution of FFLs in our country.
Learn more about how to get an FFL or, if you’re ready to get your own FFL, sign up for our Get Your FFL and Become an SOT courses.
FFL Type Details
Let’s breakdown each license type for FFLs to explore what the most common firearms licenses cover.
Type 1 FFL
As mentioned above, the Type 01 Dealer and Gunsmith FFL is the most common type of federal firearm license for business-use in the country.
The Type 1 dealer’s federal firearms license allows for the buying and selling of firearms as a business. This license type also allows for gunsmithing activities.
If you don’t know where to start, and especially if you don’t have a desire to manufacture guns, this is likely the FFL type for you. If you’d like to learn more, check out our FFL Course.
Type 2 FFL
The Type 02 firearms license is effectively the same as the Type 01 FFL but it also allows pawnbroker activities.
Only get this type of license if you are specifically interested in pawning firearms.
Type 03 FFL
A type 03 ffl is for collectors of curio and relic firearms. It is NOT for engaging in business with firearms.
Type 03 FFL holders may not receive modern firearms.
If you’d like to learn more about a curio and relic (C&R) license, check out this article: How to get a C&R license
Type 06 FFL
Type 06 FFLs are for ammunition manufacturers.
This license type allows the making of ammunition with the intent to sell. It does not allow any business activity with firearms.
Type 07 FFL
The Type 07 FFL allows the making of firearms with the intent to sell. It also allows the holder to sell other firearms and manufacture ammunition.
Number of FFL Licenses by Type
Number of FFL Licenses by Type
| FFL Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Type 01 FFL | 52,971 |
| Type 02 FFL | 7,087 |
| Type 06 FFL | 1,841 |
| Type 07 FFL | 14,661 |
| Type 08 FFL | 1,190 |
| Type 09 FFL | 127 |
| Type 10 FFL | 430 |
| Type 11 FFL | 272 |
Number of FFL Licenses by State
To see how popular each firearm license type is in your state, we’ve broken down the number of each FFL type per state:
Number of FFL Licenses by State
| STATE | TYPE 01 | TYPE 02 | TYPE 06 | TYPE 07 | TYPE 08 | TYPE 09 | TYPE 10 | TYPE 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK | 507 | 25 | 19 | 100 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| AL | 854 | 248 | 37 | 246 | 20 | 3 | 14 | 10 |
| AR | 847 | 330 | 42 | 269 | 12 | 4 | 12 | 2 |
| AZ | 1,248 | 167 | 68 | 865 | 55 | 5 | 32 | 21 |
| CA | 1,825 | 91 | 66 | 523 | 73 | 8 | 17 | 10 |
| CO | 1,463 | 180 | 53 | 427 | 31 | 3 | 8 | 4 |
| CT | 417 | 15 | 11 | 178 | 25 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| DE | 122 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 3 | ||
| FL | 2,205 | 600 | 81 | 891 | 135 | 10 | 44 | 40 |
| GA | 1,301 | 494 | 63 | 458 | 30 | 3 | 10 | 6 |
| HI | 95 | 1 | 10 | |||||
| IA | 1,198 | 56 | 37 | 174 | 8 | 2 | 1 | |
| ID | 721 | 118 | 37 | 327 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| IL | 1,428 | 52 | 52 | 218 | 23 | 4 | 10 | 7 |
| IN | 1,299 | 96 | 33 | 254 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| KS | 947 | 92 | 38 | 199 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| KY | 1,058 | 304 | 25 | 192 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| LA | 974 | 173 | 31 | 228 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| MA | 335 | 11 | 236 | 12 | 1 | 10 | 3 | |
| MD | 493 | 35 | 15 | 132 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 9 |
| ME | 416 | 52 | 15 | 93 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| MI | 1,919 | 70 | 67 | 356 | 27 | 15 | 10 | |
| MN | 1,302 | 85 | 29 | 220 | 17 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| MO | 1,818 | 268 | 54 | 358 | 28 | 1 | 13 | 10 |
| MS | 716 | 189 | 30 | 163 | 4 | 7 | 4 | |
| MT | 839 | 101 | 53 | 220 | 22 | 1 | 5 | |
| NC | 1,832 | 394 | 51 | 549 | 31 | 7 | 11 | 4 |
| ND | 467 | 23 | 8 | 39 | 5 | |||
| NE | 654 | 46 | 26 | 81 | 3 | 1 | ||
| NH | 375 | 7 | 15 | 169 | 19 | 7 | 4 | |
| NJ | 305 | 11 | 24 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| NM | 488 | 64 | 22 | 165 | 7 | 7 | 2 | |
| NV | 403 | 71 | 13 | 241 | 33 | 3 | 9 | 8 |
| NY | 1,726 | 9 | 39 | 284 | 23 | 2 | 8 | 3 |
| OH | 2,092 | 161 | 67 | 591 | 28 | 2 | 11 | 2 |
| OK | 1,092 | 241 | 38 | 367 | 13 | 3 | ||
| OR | 1,231 | 69 | 34 | 202 | 10 | 2 | 3 | |
| PA | 2,484 | 1 | 92 | 478 | 53 | 9 | 21 | 10 |
| RI | 76 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 3 | |||
| SC | 875 | 153 | 22 | 251 | 21 | 4 | 7 | |
| SD | 474 | 40 | 17 | 72 | 5 | 2 | ||
| TN | 1,176 | 239 | 36 | 307 | 29 | 2 | 16 | 4 |
| TX | 4,896 | 1,052 | 170 | 1,776 | 130 | 8 | 38 | 13 |
| UT | 654 | 92 | 41 | 420 | 24 | 6 | 8 | 7 |
| VA | 1,391 | 165 | 37 | 370 | 57 | 15 | 15 | 27 |
| VT | 291 | 1 | 3 | 81 | 8 | 1 | 3 | |
| WA | 936 | 135 | 25 | 309 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| WI | 1,390 | 45 | 51 | 279 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| WV | 705 | 194 | 22 | 97 | 9 | 3 | 2 | |
| WY | 533 | 37 | 22 | 134 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 52,971 | 7,087 | 1,841 | 14,648 | 1,190 | 127 | 430 | 272 |
FFL license Type FAQ
Q: Can a Type 07 FFL make ammunition? A: Yes. In addition to manufacturing firearms, a Type 07 FFL can also make ammunition.
Q: How many license types are there? A: There are 9 types of federal firearm licenses.
Q: How much do FFLs cost? A: An FFL costs anywhere from $30 to $200 for the most popular FFLs.
Q: What is the most popular type of FFL? A: The most popular FFL for business purposes is the Type 01 FFL. There are actually more Type 03 FFLs but that is only a collector’s license.
Just a nit. “There are currently 9 different types of FFL licenses.” The table only lists 8. Type 03 is missing.
Hey Thomas! I’m not certain which table you’re referring two because there are a couple, but they both include all 9. Type 3 is included along with an explanation that it doesn’t permit any business activity, as it’s for collectors only.
So basically I want to be able to purchase firearms at wholesale costs, be able to do transfers and legally own a full auto. What do I need? I live in Michigan.
With your business intent of transfers, a Type 01 or Type 07 will probably suit you well. We break down the nuances in our course.
I may be getting senile, this page just spins my brain in my skull.
I wish to buy a semi-pistol from a private person. He wants to use my FFL. I simply want a gun. I don’t want to be a dealer, which seems to be all these different FFLs talk about.
Could you please help me grasp this meaning?
Again all I want to to buy a single sidearm.
Thank you.
Aha – you do not want your own FFL. You need to choose a local gun shop that will accept the handgun and transfer it to you. In this case “your ffl” means your local gun shop.
So if I get an ffl that allows me to own,deal,and manufacture NFA items can I still purchase firearms from an nfa importer. Like say I want to buy an H&M that normally is not aloud to be imported can I buy it from some one who is allowed to import it as long as I have an ffl and sot
You sure can! They would be the importer that brings the firearm into the country and you’d be the dealer that purchased it from them. For example, many Glocks are imported and then purchased by other FFLs for sale.
So if I want to purchaion for se ammunition in California what type of FFL dealer do I send it to? Is there a dealer classification for Ammo only? Thanks in advance.
Looks like my comments was being translated into Spanish?
you just have ammunition sent to your house ffl’s
If i want to manufacture handloads and sell them, as well as be able to buy wholesale firearms and wholesale ammunition and componenets, do apply for two ffl’s or just one?
You have multiple options – a Type 07 FFL would allow you to manufacture ammo and firearms and also allow dealer sales. However, you could also get a Type 06 FFL for your ammunition and then a Type 01 FFL for dealing firearms.
I live in PA and I’m looking to start reloading and selling ammo. What would I need and where do I find cost? Thank you in advance.
Hey, Gene. If you’re looking at only ammo, you’ll want to get a Type 06 FFL. However, if you think you might also want to make and/or sell firearms too, then a Type 07 FFL will cover firearms and ammo.