Texas is a constitutional carry state. Eligible individuals 21 or older may carry a handgun without a Texas License to Carry.
Texas also issues a License to Carry a Handgun (LTC) to eligible applicants 18 or older.
Although Texas does not require an LTC for permitless carry, obtaining one can still offer important benefits.
For residents, a Texas LTC can exempt you from the federal NICS background check when purchasing a firearm from a Texas FFL. The LTC also allows concealed campus carry at Texas colleges and universities where permitted and provides other LTC-specific protections and exceptions under Texas law.
For nonresidents, Texas issues LTCs to eligible residents of other states. Nonresident LTC holders receive the same Texas LTC carry benefits, including campus carry and other LTC-specific protections while carrying in Texas.
The Texas LTC can also add New Mexico for residents of Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin because New Mexico does not recognize those states’ permits but does recognize the Texas LTC.
Texas LTC Online Training
You can complete the classroom portion online.
Texas requires 4 to 6 hours of classroom instruction covering Texas handgun and deadly-force laws, handgun use and safety, nonviolent dispute resolution, and proper handgun storage.
Required Live Fire Qualification
You must complete the required in-person range instruction and handgun proficiency qualification in Texas with a Texas DPS-certified LTC Handgun Instructor.
The Texas LTC qualification requires 50 rounds:
- 20 rounds at 3 yards
- 20 rounds at 7 yards
- 10 rounds at 15 yards
The qualification is fired on a B-27 target. The maximum score is 250 points, and a minimum score of 175 points (70%) is required to pass.
Texas LTC Renewal
The initial Texas LTC is valid for 4 years.
A renewed Texas LTC is valid for 5 years.
The initial application fee is $40, and the renewal fee is $40.
A Texas LTC renewal does not require you to complete classroom training or handgun proficiency qualification again.
Complete Your Texas LTC Classroom Training Online
Complete the classroom portion of your Texas License to Carry training online, then complete the required 1-to-2-hour in-person range instruction and 50-round handgun proficiency qualification.
$74.99
Texas LTC Online Training Course
Start Texas LTC TrainingResidents: A Texas LTC can exempt the holder from the federal NICS background check when purchasing a firearm from a Texas FFL. The LTC also provides campus-carry privileges and other LTC-specific protections and exceptions under Texas law.
Texas issues LTCs to eligible residents of other states. Nonresident LTC holders receive Texas LTC benefits including concealed campus carry and other LTC-specific protections while carrying in Texas. The Texas LTC can also add New Mexico for residents of Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The 4-to-6-hour classroom portion can be completed online.
The required in-person range instruction and handgun proficiency qualification must be completed in Texas with a Texas DPS-certified LTC Handgun Instructor.
50 rounds total: 20 rounds at 3 yards, 20 rounds at 7 yards, and 10 rounds at 15 yards using a B-27 target. A minimum score of 175 out of 250 points is required.
Original Texas LTC applicants must submit fingerprints through the Texas DPS-approved electronic fingerprint process. Applicants receive the required service code after submitting the LTC application and schedule fingerprinting through IdentoGO. Renewal applicants do not submit new fingerprints.
The initial Texas LTC is valid for 4 years. Renewed licenses are valid for 5 years. Renewal does not require the classroom training or handgun proficiency qualification to be completed again.