An FFL is a federal license issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). If you plan to run an Illinois FFL that conducts firearm sales, you will usually need Firearm Dealer License Certification through the Illinois State Police under 430 ILCS 68. Illinois is a Point of Contact state, so most dealers run each background check through state systems instead of contacting the FBI NICS directly. Your classification as a retail location or a non-retail location changes the fee and some operational rules.
Federal requirements for an FFL (ATF)
A federal firearms licensee applies through ATF using Form 7 or Form 7CR. You will list your business activity and your premises address. A P.O. box cannot be used as the premises address.
Federal requirements typically cover:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Must be legally allowed to possess a firearm and ammunition
- Must operate from a physical business location suitable for firearm business activity
- Zoning must allow the type of FFL business activity you plan to conduct
- A lease or property agreement must allow firearm transactions
- Must complete a background check as part of the application process
- Must not have a criminal history that could result in over a year of confinement, even if you got a lesser sentence
- Must not have issues with controlled substances or substance abuse
- Must not have disqualifying mental health adjudications
- Must not have outstanding warrants or pending criminal charges
- Must not have a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces
- Must have a clear intent to operate as a licensed FFL dealer or manufacturer under federal law
ATF also requires you to identify responsible persons connected to the business. If you are applying as a sole proprietor, those details still apply. If your plan includes manufacturing, you may be applying as a gun manufacturer rather than a dealer only. ATF describes these licenses as covering business activity in interstate commerce.
Illinois state requirements (FDLC)
FDLC basics
Illinois requires a certified status for most federal firearm dealers operating in the state of Illinois. The law states ISP shall issue the initial certificate within 30 days of receiving a copy of the license and an affidavit.
In practice, you should plan to submit:
- A copy of your FFL.
- The required sworn and notarized affidavit.
- The information listed on the ISP checklist.
Use the Illinois State Police website FDLC pages, and checklist as your source for required uploads and steps.
Retail vs no retail location
Illinois defines a retail location as a store open to the public where a license holder engages in selling, transferring, or facilitating a sale or transfer of a firearm.
Illinois also recognizes dealers operating without a public store model.
You should classify correctly because it affects:
- Fees.
- Security and storage planning.
- Electronic inventory requirements.
A home-based FFL can still be treated as retail if it is open to the public and operates like a store. The ISP checklist provides examples to help with classification.
Training
Illinois requires FDLC training completion as part of the process. The checklist also states that training applies to owners, agents, and employees engaged in transferring firearms.
Plan for ongoing training expectations in your internal process. Many summaries of the Act describe at least 2 hours of annual training tied to renewal affidavits.
Operational requirements you should plan for
Illinois rules can include items that go beyond federal paperwork. Your local requirements may vary by city and county, so confirm early.
Common FDLC buildout items include:
- Security measures for the premises.
- A safe storage plan for applicable retail operations.
- An electronic inventory record system for applicable retail operations.
- Retaining surveillance records for the required period under Illinois rules.
These items also help align day-to-day operations with industry standard practices for documenting inventory movement.
In addition, keep an eye on state regulations that change through legislation, emergency rules, and court challenges. Some restrictions are argued in court and may be discussed in briefing and oral argument, so dealers should watch official updates.
Background checks, FOID validation, and the 72-hour wait
Illinois dealers generally run checks through ISP systems. Illinois is listed by ATF as a Point of Contact state.
Practical workflow steps often include:
- Verify the buyer’s FOID status using the state police process used for dealer checks.
- Submit the transaction through the ISP transfer inquiry process used by dealers.
- Track the waiting period and do not deliver the firearm until the timeline and approval requirements are met.
Illinois law requires sellers to withhold delivery for 72 hours from the time the application for purchase is received. Your records should support trace requests. That means you should be able to connect the transfer of firearms to your acquisition and disposition entries and the item’s serial number. This is also the part of the workflow that is most likely to involve law enforcement follow up if a trace is requested later.
Local setup: zoning, licensing, and business basics
Federal approval does not replace local government rules. You still need to follow local law for operating a storefront, office, or workshop.
Common setup tasks include:
- Confirm zoning and use approval for the premises.
- Apply for a business license if your city or county requires one.
- Register the business with the state if you are forming an entity.
- Review lease terms to confirm the premises can be used for dealer activity.
If you are an Illinois resident applying from your own address, confirm that the zoning classification supports the business model before you submit your federal packet.
Step-by-step checklist
- Choose the license type that matches your activity.
- Confirm zoning and other local requirements for the premises.
- Prepare your application packet and submit your application to ATF.
- Complete the ATF interview process.
- Receive the federal firearms license.
- Decide whether you are retail or non-retail under Illinois definitions.
- Complete the FDLC training step listed by ISP.
- Submit the FDLC affidavit and upload to ISP.
- Build your transfer workflow for checks and waiting periods.
- Start operations after you receive your FDLC certification.
Fees and timeframes
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 |
$150 | $150 | |
Type 08 | $150 | $150 |
Type 09 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
Type 10 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
Type 11 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
Illinois FDLC fees
FDLC certificate | Initial | Renewal |
No retail location | $300 | $100 |
Retail location | $1,200 | $400 |
Timeframes to plan for
- ATF often describes a roughly 60-day review target after a complete submission, but real timing varies by field office workload.
- Illinois law states ISP shall issue the initial FDLC certificate within 30 days after receipt of the required items.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing before zoning is approved by local offices.
- Misclassifying retail versus non-retail locations.
- Submitting incomplete uploads to ISP.
- Not building a written process for the waiting period and approval before delivery.
FFLGuard and Your Illinois FFL
Illinois places more requirements on firearms dealers than most states. Between FDLC certification, FOID compliance, annual training mandates, and ISP oversight, staying compliant means managing both federal and state obligations simultaneously. FFLGuard helps Illinois dealers navigate this layered regulatory environment.
The program connects FFLs with firearms-specific legal counsel through a flat fee structure that includes Guaranteed Legal Defense. Illinois dealers receive support with inspections, recordkeeping, and regulatory updates from both the ATF and Illinois State Police. Whether you’re applying for your first license or maintaining ongoing compliance, FFLGuard provides audit preparation and personalized guidance at every stage.