FFL License Types Explained
There are nine Federal Firearms License types, each matched to a specific activity: dealing, pawnbroking, collecting, manufacturing, or importing. This guide summarizes what each license covers and points to a detailed page for every type, plus how the Special Occupational Tax classes let a licensee work with National Firearms Act items.
The nine FFL types at a glance
The license you need depends on what you plan to do. Dealers and pawnbrokers hold dealer licenses, collectors hold a collector license, and manufacturers and importers hold their own licenses. Destructive devices always carry their own dedicated license.
| License activity | Everyday gun business | License type |
|---|---|---|
| Dealing in firearms (gun store, gunsmith) | Yes | Type 01 |
| Pawnbroker in firearms | Yes | Type 02 |
| Collector of curios and relics | Personal | Type 03 |
| Manufacturing ammunition | Some | Type 06 |
| Manufacturing firearms | Some | Type 07 |
| Importing firearms | Some | Type 08 |
| Dealing in destructive devices | Rare | Type 09 |
| Manufacturing destructive devices | Rare | Type 10 |
| Importing destructive devices | Rare | Type 11 |
The Type 04 and Type 05 designations are not in current use, so the modern lineup runs 01, 02, 03, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, and 11.
Dealer and collector licenses
- Type 01: Dealer in firearms. The most common license, held by most gun stores and gunsmiths.
- Type 02: Pawnbroker in firearms. The dealer license for a pawn business that takes firearms in pawn.
- Type 03: Collector of curios and relics. A personal collector license, not a business license.
Manufacturer and importer licenses
- Type 06: Manufacturer of ammunition other than armor-piercing ammunition.
- Type 07: Manufacturer of firearms. Popular because it authorizes both making and dealing.
- Type 08: Importer of firearms and ammunition other than destructive devices.
Destructive device licenses
- Type 09: Dealer in destructive devices.
- Type 10: Manufacturer of destructive devices, ammunition for them, and armor-piercing ammunition.
- Type 11: Importer of destructive devices, ammunition for them, and armor-piercing ammunition.
Special Occupational Tax (SOT) classes
The SOT is a separate registration that lets an existing FFL work with National Firearms Act items such as suppressors and short-barreled rifles. It is paid annually on top of the license, and the class is tied to the license you already hold.
- Class 1 SOT: importing NFA items, paired with an importer license.
- Class 2 SOT: manufacturing NFA items, paired with a manufacturer license such as a Type 07.
- Class 3 SOT: dealing in NFA items, paired with a dealer license such as a Type 01 or Type 02.
How to apply for an FFL
Whichever license fits your business, the application process is similar. See our step-by-step guide to getting an FFL for eligibility, the application form, fingerprints, fees, and timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How many FFL types are there?
There are nine FFL types in current use: 01, 02, 03, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, and 11. The Type 04 and Type 05 designations are no longer issued.
Which FFL type do I need for a gun store?
Most gun stores hold a Type 01 dealer license. A pawn business that takes firearms in pawn uses a Type 02, and a manufacturer that also sells often chooses a Type 07.
What is the difference between an FFL and an SOT?
The FFL is the license to deal, manufacture, or import firearms. The SOT is a separate annual registration that lets an existing FFL work with National Firearms Act items such as suppressors and short-barreled rifles.
Do I need an SOT to sell suppressors?
Yes. A dealer selling suppressors and other NFA items needs a Class 3 SOT on top of a dealer license such as a Type 01 or Type 02.
However you are licensed, keep the 4473 clean
Dealers, pawnbrokers, and manufacturers who transfer firearms to the public all complete a 4473. See how e4473 makes that record digital and audit-ready.