Do you have to be 21 to take the HCP Class?

[Westwindmike]

I was just asked by a relative this question.

 

Can he take the HCP class before he turns 21, and then on his 21st birthday, go down to the DMV and apply? The class is good for 6 months and he will turn 21 before the 6 months expire.

 

Does anybody know for sure? I can't find anything on the TN site.

Thanks!

[RED333]

Short answer is no, but let others chime in, I have been wrong before.

[nightrunner]

This may be up to the individual instructor, I'm not sure.

I know for me personally I took my HCP course in March or April, don't remember exactly, and I turned 21 in June. So it was a couple months prior to turning 21. It may have changed even as this 6-7 years ago and I do remember the 80s video and I have heard they have a new video for the classes now. Just my experience.

I applied maybe a couple days after my birthday, certainly the same week. Had no problems getting approved either. Edited January 29, 2016 by nightrunner

[rugerla1]

I understood it as you could take it 6 months before you turn 21. Don't have that in writing though.

[chances R]

I understood it as you could take it 6 months before you turn 21. Don't have that in writing though.

Your certificate of course completion is good for 6 months. The DMV willnot initiate the permit process until one is 21. So YES one may take the course before being 21, but will effectively waste their money if they do so and fall outside the 6 month time frame as noted.

[Bassoneer]

We had a kid go through the class with us a few years ago. Can't get the permit, but the class is only training. The Instructor get the same fee...don't know about this underage training counting later on...I would think the real class needs to be post 21. Edited January 29, 2016 by Bassoneer

[Oh Shoot]

Your certificate of course completion is good for 6 months. The DMV willnot initiate the permit process until one is 21. So YES one may take the course before being 21, but will effectively waste their money if they do so and fall outside the 6 month time frame as noted.

 

That's the correct answer.

 

There is nothing in the HCP statute that says you must be 21 before taking the course, only 21 to apply for the permit,  and within 6 months of course completion (which technically is a TNDOS ruling based on a similar statement within the statute regarding renewal).

 

- OS

Edited January 29, 2016 by Oh Shoot

[JayC]

Yeah OhShoot is correct, you can take the class before your 21st birthday and apply on (or shortly after) as long as you don't wait more than 6 months from when you took the class.

[RED333]

So I was some what right, cool.
It dont happen that often.

[Oh Shoot]

So I was some what right, cool.
It dont happen that often.

Can he take the HCP class before he turns 21, and then on his 21st birthday, go down to the DMV and apply? The class is good for 6 months and he will turn 21 before the 6 months expire.

Short answer is no, but let others chime in, I have been wrong before.

 

You call that "somewhat right"? This the new logic, like the new math?

- OS

[Caster]

I took mine a few weeks before my 21st Birthday.  The instructor, who has since passed away so I don't mind telling off on him, said, "If you pass, I'll sign it and date it when you turn 21."  

 

As to that being legal or not I cannot say.  He was retired FBI and a very knowledgable guy.  That was close to 18 years ago. 

[GlockSpock]

You call that "somewhat right"? This the new logic, like the new math?

- OS

Haha. He was somewhat right in the sense that he said he could be wrong.


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[Fallguy]

It's a safety class that is required to get your HCP, but AFAIK nothing prevents an instructor from allowing a 16 year old to take it if they want to.  Just because you take the class doesn't mean you have to get your HCP...that's just the reason 99.9999999999999999% of the people do

[chances R]

According to the rules for DOS handgun schools in TN, no one under the age of 16 may take the course. Ref- rules 1340-2-3-.05-8

[Westwindmike]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'll pass this along.

[DWARREN123]

May also depend on the instructor/class. Ask first then the class paper work is good for 6 months, must be 21 years of age to apply for HCP.

[Fallguy]

According to the rules for DOS handgun schools in TN, no one under the age of 16 may take the course. Ref- rules 1340-2-3-.05-8

 

I have read the rules before, knew I got "16" from somewhere, thanks.

 

http://share.tn.gov/sos/rules/1340/1340-02/1340-02-03.pdf

Edited January 30, 2016 by Fallguy