YES!

A federal district court has ruled the Department can no longer apply the License to Carry statutory eligibility criteria that prohibit otherwise eligible 18-to-20 year-olds from obtaining the license.  Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. et. al., v. Steven McCraw, et. al., No. 4:21-cv-1245-P.  The Department will therefore no longer deny applications solely on the basis that the applicants are 18-to-20 years old.

Yes. Texas law now allows you to take the official Texas license to carry class online and it has become the most popular way to get certified. You can take the class at your own pace from the comfort of your home. Our online class is available Statewide HERE.

When you take our online class, you will receive information on how to access our instructor locator database. We have instructors all across Texas in our database that will be happy to do the range instruction/shooting portion for you. Students in the Edinburg or Rio Grande Valley (RGV) area can complete the shooting portion with us. We charge $35 for our online students to complete the shooting portion. Those in our area can sign up HERE for the range portion. Some people are exempt from the shooting portion and will only have to take the online course, these people are listed below. 

There are certain people who only need the online class portion of the Texas license to carry class to get a Texas license to carry. The people listed below are exempt from the shooting portion of the class.

• Texas State correctional officers (CO’s) are automatically exempt from the shooting portion.
• Active duty military or veterans that have proof of firearms familiarization training OR shooting scores dated within the past 10 years.
• County jailers who have proof of firearms training as part of their employment.

Texas Government Code, §411.172 and §411.190 sets out the eligibility criteria that must be met. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age (unless active duty military) and must meet federal qualifications to purchase a handgun. This includes proof you are certified to instruct others in the use of handguns (firearm instructor) as listed below::

• Certified by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) as a firearm instructor.
  • Supporting documentation includes a copy of your TCOLE firearm instructor certificate. (Must be a firearm instructor, basic instructor is not sufficient.)
• Certified under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702, as a firearm instructor.
  • Supporting documentation includes a copy of the Private Security instructor registration.
• Certified by NRA as a firearm instructor.
  • Supporting documentation includes a copy of certificate of training and a copy of your unexpired NRA credentials. (Must be certified to instructor handgun/pistol).
• Proof of graduation from a handgun instructor school that uses a nationally accepted course designed to train persons as handgun instructors. (Applicants under this section must regularly instruct others in the use of handguns.) To become an instructor click here

Instructor applicants must also submit a completed application, pay the required fees, complete all required training and submit required supplemental forms and materials.

Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter H sets out the eligibility criteria that must be met. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age (unless active duty military) and must meet Federal qualifications to purchase a handgun. A number of factors may make individuals ineligible to obtain a license, such as: felony convictions, some misdemeanor convictions, including charges that resulted in probation or deferred adjudication; certain pending criminal charges; chemical or alcohol dependency; certain types of psychological diagnoses, and protective or restraining orders. The state eligibility requirements can be found in  GC §411.172. The federal firearms disqualifiers can be found in 18 USC 44 §922.

You must also submit a completed application, pay the required fees, complete all required training and submit required supplemental forms and materials.

Applicants for an original (first-time) LTC should submit an online application, and schedule an appointment for fingerprinting. Applicants must also complete four to six hours of classroom training, pass a written examination and pass a proficiency demonstration (shooting).

For detailed information regarding training requirements and to locate a certified LTC instructor, see Training Requirements.

DPS will make every effort to issue your license within 60 days of receiving the completed application packet. If the application is incomplete or requires additional information to complete the background check, you will be notified in writing.

The letter requesting more information or documents extends the timeline for issuing your license. DPS has an additional 180 days to complete the review process, if additional information is required from the application. To ensure your license is issued promptly, it is very important for you to provide the requested information for review. If the requested information is not received timely, the application will be terminated.

Renewal applications may be submitted online at: License To Carry A Handgun.

We will use existing fingerprints and photos on file for renewal applications. However, sometimes the quality of those prints originally submitted no longer meets the State or FBI standards. If we are unable to use the fingerprints on file, you will be notified to obtain a new set of prints along with instructions on where you must be fingerprinted.

The standard fee for an original LTC is $40. The standard fee for a renewal of a LTC is $40. However, Texas law provides for some discounts if you meet certain special conditions. A complete list of fees along with the special conditions can be found on the  fee table.

NOTE: Fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable. If an application is not approved, the fees will not be refunded.

Yes. There is a fee charged for fingerprint services. For additional information regarding the Fingerprint Application Services of Texas (FAST) please visit our website.

To schedule an appointment at a time and location convenient to you, please use one of the following methods:

1. Visit Fingerprinting Services, please use Service Code: 119Q91 OR
2. Call (888) 467-2080 and provide Service Code: 119Q91

Yes. Subject to the requirements of federal firearms law, and if not otherwise ineligible, resident aliens and certain nonimmigrant aliens who are lawfully present in the United States may obtain the license.

Initial licenses are valid for four years. Renewal licenses are valid for five years. 

NOTE: License may be subject to an earlier expiration based on lawful presence status.

You may submit a request to change the address on your LTC online at License To Carry A Handgun

Students attending school out-of-state may leave their permanent address on their LTC. The address change will be required once the student has established a different permanent address.

NOTE: Changing the address on your Texas Driver License or ID Card will not automatically change the address on your LTC. You must submit a separate request at License To Carry A Handgun.

You may submit a request to replace a lost or stolen license online at: License To Carry A Handgun

NOTE: When DPS replaces a lost/stolen license, the license number will be changed for security reasons.

DWI is classified as at least a Class B misdemeanor, and you are ineligible for a license for five years after a conviction for a Class A or Class B misdemeanor. For the purpose of determining eligibility, a conviction includes those that were dismissed after you completed probation or deferred adjudication.

Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter H states that deferred adjudication will be considered the same as a conviction. Depending on the type of offense and the date of the order of deferred adjudication, you may not be eligible for a LTC. See GC §411.171 and §411.1711

If charges were dismissed without prosecution, then they are not disqualifying. A deferred adjudication is not a dismissal without prosecution and is considered a conviction for purposes of the LTC.

Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter H states an application for a LTC may be denied if the applicant has been finally determined to be delinquent in child support obligations.

Yes. Applicants are required to report all arrests in order to ensure the background checks can be conducted timely. The application should include the year, the offense, the location and the final disposition. Copies of the dispositions will assist in the timely processing of your application. Applicants should also include information on cases that resulted in probation or deferred adjudication. Failure to provide any requested documentation could result in the termination of an application as incomplete.

Please visit Criminal History Error Resolution for the procedures to challenge the criminal history record contained in a Texas Record.

Please visit Challenge of a Criminal Record for the procedures to challenge the criminal history record contained in an FBI Record.

If there is a reciprocity agreement with Texas, then you may be eligible to carry a handgun in the other state. A reciprocal agreement does not automatically authorize a Texas license holder to carry in another state. It is important to review the agreement for specific details or limitations. Reciprocal agreements and unilateral proclamations can be found on our website at: Reciprocity map. 

If you are in a state that has reciprocity with Texas, you must follow that state’s laws for carrying a handgun. The same responsibility applies to anyone from another state when traveling in Texas; they must follow Texas laws for carrying a handgun. Most states will have a website for their carry licenses or permits that specify their laws. Alternatively, you may contact the other state and ask what their laws are for carrying a handgun while in that state. 

Reciprocal agreements and unilateral proclamations can be found on our website at:  Reciprocity map.

Texas Department of Public Safety

Handgun Licensing – MSC 0245

PO Box 4087

Austin, TX 78773-0001

Phone: 1-512-424-7293