If you’re looking to legally carry a handgun in Texas, you’ll need a License to Carry (LTC), also known as a concealed carry permit. Texas laws prioritize safety while preserving the rights of responsible gun owners, and obtaining an LTC can help you exercise your Second Amendment rights.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting your concealed carry permit in Texas—from eligibility and training requirements to the application process and beyond.
Understanding Texas Concealed Carry Permits
A Texas License to Carry (LTC) allows individuals to carry a handgun in public, either concealed or openly. While Texas law allows permitless carry (carrying a handgun without a permit, also referred to as constitutional carry) under certain circumstances, obtaining an LTC comes with additional benefits. For instance, it simplifies the handgun-buying process, provides legal protections, and comes with reciprocity agreements with other states.
If you want to carry with confidence and broaden your rights as a gun owner, applying for an LTC is a crucial step. But how does one go about getting their license to carry in Texas? Here’s how.
Steps to Get Your License to Carry in Texas
Getting your concealed carry permit involves meeting legal requirements, completing certified training, and submitting an application. Below is the breakdown of the process.
1. Complete Classroom Training
– The online LTC course will fulfill the classroom training required by Texas DPS for an LTC.
2. Meet with an LTC instructor for the Proficiency Demonstration
– This is the in-person training required and includes the DPS required range instruction and shooting qualification.
3. Submit Your LTC Application
– Applications can be submitted online via the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website. The process includes paying the $40 application fee.
4. Schedule Fingerprinting
– Fingerprinting is required through an agency certified by the Texas DPS, typically Identigo.
5. Submit Supporting Documents
– Once the training has been completed and your application is submitted, you can electronically submit your LTC-104’s forms from the online class and proficiency demonstration.
Training Requirements for a License to Carry
LTC training in Texas involves both classroom instruction and an in-person proficiency test. The course must be completed with a licensed instructor approved by the Texas DPS. Here’s what to expect:
Classroom Component
The classroom portion typically lasts 4 to 6 hours and covers:
- Laws that relate to weapons and to the use of deadly force
- Handgun use and safety, including use of restraint holsters and methods for secure carrying of openly carried handguns
- Non-violent dispute resolution
- Proper storage practices for handguns, including practices that eliminate the possibility of accidental injury to a child
Whether you take the classroom portion online or in-person, the same information will be covered.
Proficiency Demonstration
You’ll also need to demonstrate safe handling and shooting during a live-fire qualification. You’ll shoot a total of 50 rounds broken into the following distances and rounds fired:
- 3 yards – 20 rounds fired
- 7 yards – 20 rounds fired
- 15 yards – 10 rounds fired
The LTC instructor conducting your proficiency demonstration will go over each course of fire and what is expected. The target used is a B-27 target with a total of 250 points possible when scored. 175 points (70%) is required to pass.
License to Carry Eligibility Requirements
Not everyone is eligible for an LTC. Here are the general requirements under Texas law:
- Age: Must be at least 18 years old
- Residency: Texas residents and non-residents can apply and are eligible
- Criminal Record: Convicted felons are ineligible, and certain misdemeanor convictions could also disqualify you.
- Not in the 5 years preceding the date of application, have been convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense.
- Substance Use: Applicants must not be chemically dependent.
- Mental Health: Applicants must not have been declared mentally incapacitated or committed to a mental institution.
- Not be chemically dependent: No abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance as defined by Texas Health and Safety Code.
- Federal Law: Be fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to purchase a handgun.
- Court Orders: Not be currently restricted under a court protective order or subject to a restraining order.
- Not delinquent: Not have been determined to be delinquent in the payment of a tax or other money collected by the comptroller, the tax collector of a political subdivision of the state or any agency or subdivision of the state.
It’s important to review the full eligibility criteria on the Texas DPS website to ensure you qualify. If you still have questions about your eligibility, consulting with an attorney that specializes in Texas firearm law will be the most beneficial.
What are the Fees and How Long Does It Take to Get an LTC?
Once all of the required paperwork and applications are submitted for the LTC, Texas DPS says they will mail the LTC card to you within 30-60 days. Typically, students receive their licenses within 2-4 weeks.
Fees and Costs:
- $49: Online LTC Class
- $40-$60: Typical cost for the Proficiency Demonstration
- $40: Texas DPS application fee
- $10: Fingerprinting fee for Identigo
Important Links
Reciprocity with Other States
One of the great advantages of having a Texas LTC is its reciprocity agreements with other states. A Texas LTC is recognized in dozens of states that have reciprocity agreements, allowing you to carry legally when traveling.
However, reciprocity laws vary state by state, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with local laws when carrying outside Texas. Always check updates to reciprocity agreements before traveling.
Start Your Journey to Secure Your License to Carry
Obtaining a Texas concealed carry permit is a big step toward protecting yourself and exercising your rights responsibly. By fulfilling the training, eligibility, and application requirements described in this guide, you can confidently carry a handgun and enjoy the many benefits an LTC offers.
Need assistance through the process? Let OnlineTexasLTC.com guide you through the License to Carry process. Contact us HERE.
