How to Get an FFL in Utah

A Federal Firearms License lets you operate legally in the gun industry, from firearm sales to receiving shipments for transfers. Utah follows the federal licensing process, but your city or county rules still matter. The license type you choose affects fees, paperwork, and daily responsibilities. Good prep helps you start clean and stay compliant.

Step 1: Confirm you meet federal licensing requirements

Before submitting an application, every applicant must meet nationwide standards set under federal law. The federal government issues this license through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Federal requirements include:
You must be at least 21 years of age.
You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
You must be legally allowed to possess a firearm.
You must operate from a physical business location suitable for firearms activity.
Zoning must allow the type of activity you plan to conduct as an FFL dealer.
A lease or property agreement must allow firearm-related business at that address.
You must complete a background check as part of the application process.
You must not have a criminal history that could result in over a year of confinement, even if you received a lesser sentence.
You must not have issues with controlled substances or substance abuse.
You must not have disqualifying mental health adjudications.
You must not have outstanding warrants or pending criminal charges.
You must not have a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces.
You must have a clear intent to operate as a federal firearms business under federal law and federal regulation.

Step 2: Choose the FFL type that matches your activity

Pick your license type before you file, since it drives your permissions and the application fee.

FFL types include:

Type 01: Dealer in firearms other than a destructive device.
Type 02: Pawnbroker.
Type 03: Collector of curios and relics.
Type 06: Ammunition manufacturer.
Type 07: Firearms manufacturer.
Type 08: Importer.
Type 09: Dealer in destructive devices.
Type 10: Manufacturer of destructive devices.
Type 11: Importer of destructive devices.

If you plan to deal with firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA), you will need to apply for an additional Special Occupation Tax (SOT) status, which is added to your existing FFL. This allows you to engage in NFA-regulated activities, such as dealing in machine guns or silencers.

Federal FFL fees (ATF)

FFL Type	Application Fee	Renewal Fee (3 Years)
Type 01	$200	$90
Type 02	$200	$90
Type 03	$30	$30
Type 06	$30	$30
Type 07	$150	$150
Type 08	$150	$150
Type 09	$3,000	$3,000
Type 10	$3,000	$3,000
Type 11	$3,000	$3,000

Step 3: Confirm your location and local setup

Utah does not require firearm dealers to obtain a state license in addition to the federal firearm license.

Even so, local setup still matters, and it can vary a lot across the state. Zoning rules can differ city by city and county by county. A home-based business that is allowed in one area can be restricted in another.

Plan these tasks early:

Confirm zoning and any local approvals tied to your address.
Check whether your city or county requires a business license and how to file a business license application. Utah’s own guidance notes that businesses are commonly licensed by a city or county.
If you are running a home-based business, confirm the rules before you apply, especially for a home-based FFL.
Register for sales tax if you will make taxable sales.

Why this matters:

If you apply without confirming local rules, you could face delays.
Local restrictions can also create enforcement issues, including fines.
In some cases, the location issue can block approval if the premises cannot support the activity described in your application.

Step 4: Complete ATF Form 7 and submit your application

This is where you complete ATF Form 7 / 7CR and assemble the items ATF lists in its instructions.

Most applicants should be ready to provide:

The ATF Form 7 / 7CR application.
Responsible person questionnaire, including photos and fingerprint cards for most license types.
Any supporting documents tied to your business structure.
Payment of the application fee for your license type.

Before you submit, do one final check for completeness:

Confirm every field is filled out and matches your identity documents.
Confirm all required pages are included and legible.
Confirm photos and fingerprint materials are in the correct format.
Compare your packet against the ATF checklist in the instructions.

Missing or incomplete paperwork is one of the most common reasons an application gets delayed.

Step 5: Complete the ATF interview and wait for a decision

After submission, ATF schedules an interview with an Industry Operations Investigator. The interview is not a test, and it is not about sales. It is focused on compliance and operational readiness for a firearms dealer under federal firearms rules.

What the interview typically covers:

Your business activity and the license type you selected.
Your hours, premises, and who is responsible for operations.
Your recordkeeping plan and how you will track inventory.
Your storage and access controls for firearms.
How you will handle a transfer from intake through disposition.
How you will respond if a transaction is denied.

How to prepare:

Be ready to walk through your planned workflow step by step.
Be ready to explain who will have access to inventory.
Be ready to show that your premises supports your activity as described.

Step 6: Register for Utah dealer background check access through BCI

Once your FFL is issued, you register with Utah’s Bureau of Criminal Identification to run the required checks.

BCI’s dealer guidance says new dealers must provide a copy of the ATF Federal Firearms License plus point of contact information, then set up phone checks or web accounts. BCI also provides an Instant Web Gun Check System to assist federally licensed dealers in processing background checks.

What this looks like in practice:

Register after approval and receive login credentials.
Run a criminal background check for each transfer before you complete the sale.
Follow the approval response before you release the firearm. This helps you stay ready to operate on your first business day.

Step 7: Build your transfer workflow

A practical workflow for a dealer often includes:

Verify identity and collect the information needed to start the check.
Submit the check through BCI and wait for a response.
Record the disposition details, including the serial number.
Complete the transfer only after approval.

If you accept firearm shipments, log them when they arrive, then complete the transfer only after the required check is approved.

If you are working with an out-of-state buyer, such as a Colorado resident, follow federal law for interstate commerce. In many cases, that means shipping to a receiving license in the buyer’s state, not direct delivery to an unlicensed buyer.

Step 8: Common mistakes to avoid

New firearm dealers often run into issues with:

Applying before confirming local permissions for the premises.
Skipping the step to register with BCI, then discovering you cannot process a transfer.
Treating recordkeeping as optional instead of a license obligation.
Submitting incomplete documents or incorrect formatting which can slow review.

How FFLGuard Supports Your Utah FFL

FFLGuard’s cooperative legal and compliance program has supported license holders since 2008. Guided by The Chiafullo Group, LLC, the program brings together firearms-focused counsel and professionals who help with compliance planning, inspection preparation, and operational policy questions tied to state regulations.

If you are applying for a Utah FFL or tightening procedures after approval, FFLGuard can help you document processes, prepare for inspections, and respond to issues that can involve law enforcement inquiries.

Ready to start your licensing process? Support your FFL application and compliance strategy in Utah with our affordable JumpStart Program.