Texas License to Carry

Congratulations! Exploring the Texas License to Carry application process is a great first step for Texas gun owners. In 2024 more than 1.5 million Texans had an active License to Carry (LTC), and more than 290,000 first-time applicants were granted an LTC by the State. The decision to get an LTC is a personal one. Texas no longer requires a license to carry a concealed handgun, but getting a license has a number of benefits, including:

Reciprocity with more than 30 additional States
Legal access to certain areas which prohibit unlicensed gun owners
Defense to prosecution in certain cases
Demonstrates you have received Texas gun and use of force law education
Skip the NICS background check when purchasing new guns (based on FFL policy)

Getting your Texas LTC is a simple, multi-step process which includes taking a State-mandated class on law, de-escalation of nonviolent encounters and gun safety; passing a shooting test; and getting fingerprinted for a background check. Below we provide information on each step and link to the resources needed to complete the process and get your LTC. But first...

Two Questions From Current & Former LTC Holders

Before we start let's address the two most common questions from those who already have, or had, an LTC:

I had an LTC but I let it expire. Can I just renew it?
You have a one (1) year grace period to renew. One year and one day after the expiration date you have to do the whole process over, as outlined below.
I have an LTC but it was lost/stolen/destroyed. What do I do?
If your license is still valid you just need a new card. You can get that at the DPS renewal page where you login as a returning user.

Now, Let's Talk Money

By far, the most common question we get is "How much does an LTC cost?" The answer is, "It depends." There are multiple steps in the process, multiple entities which collect fees, and multiple choices to be made by the Applicant. Here is a list of the actions which have some type of fee:

Texas DPS Application
Fingerprinting
Classroom Education
Shooting Demonstration

Since the Covid pandemic and the passage of the Texas Permitless Carry Act people have changed how they think about, and pursue getting, their LTC. People now want more options and more flexibility in scheduling. This means total cost now depends on the choices the Applicant makes.

There is a range — some ballpark numbers — you can expect. That range is about $150 to $225, all-in. You might spend more, depending on what you need or choose, but you're unlikely to spend less. The good news is that, with all the options today, you can spread your cost out over time. The better news is that, all-in, this is a terrific value — especially given all the benefits which come with having an LTC.

Considering the bulk of the modest upfront costs are one-time expenses — and you get the benefits of the license for as long as you maintain legal status and keep up the renewals — the LTC continues to provide value year after year, making it a worthwhile investment in your future.

What "All-In" Doesn't Cover

Our estimated cost range does assume you already possess the necessary skills to pass the shooting test. That's not included. Just a few years ago it was widely-held that the LTC test was where you went to learn to shoot. That isn't the case. Applicants are expected to have a good grasp of fundamental safety, marksmanship and the proper operation of their handgun when they arrive.

Sometimes there's a bit of confusion about what this means. There's never been, as far as we know, a comprehensive guide to what, exactly, is meant by "good grasp of fundamental safety, marksmanship and the proper operation of their handgun". Well, we've put together a terrific tool — we think it's the first of its kind — to help anyone who has questions about the shooting test. It's called LTC/Assess, and you'll read all about it below.

Now let's move to the process, which starts with reviewing eligibility and documentation at the Texas DPS website.

First Step — Checking Eligibility

The Texas Department of Public Safety Handgun Licensing Division has all the information on who is eligible, what is required, and what documentation you need. A review of the DPS rules and requirements will help you understand the next steps and answer questions about eligibility. You should definitely go to the website and read all the available information, but here's a short summary:

Legal Texas resident (Texas also grants Non-Resident licenses, but if you live here you need a resident license)
18 years of age or older
No prior legal issues such as domestic violence or felony convictions, or other Class A/B misdemeanors for which you are still under the gun rights forfeiture period

Legal Texas resident (Texas also grants Non-Resident licenses, but if you live here you need a resident license)
18 years of age or older
No prior legal issues such as domestic violence or felony convictions, or other Class A/B misdemeanors for which you are still under the gun rights forfeiture period

Once you've reviewed the eligibility requirements, it's time to tackle the two Personal Requirements — Education and Demonstration. There are multiple options for each, including half-day, full day, online, etc. You can do them on the same day or different days, and do them in any order. We discuss each of them below.

Let's Talk About Texas Law

The Texas LTC education class is some of the best legal education a gun-toting Texan can get. We're aware of no other way to get 4 to 6 hours of gun law, use of force law, and safety education for well under $100. You don't need to be applying for an LTC to take the class. It's open to anyone. If you carry a firearm for self defense in Texas - whether with a license or without - you want to know what the law is and how it really works.

Making a mistake in deploying a firearm can have devastating consequences. It's not enough to believe you're in the right, to believe you're acting in self defense. You must be acting within the strict guidelines of the law. While we're a bit biased about the quality of our own courses, the truth is that any licensed instructor can teach the class, and we encourage everyone who carries a firearm to take advantage of it.

What's In The Class

The Education requirement is a 4- to 6-hour lecture class based on the State-certified curriculum, and taught by a licensed instructor. Because many people now prefer the online option, our classes are offered as separate, standalone courses. This allows you to take them with or without the shooting test, either online or in-person.

The length of the class, and the topics which must be covered, are set by the State so the class is very similar no matter where, when or from whom you take it. You can take the class either before or after you do the shooting test. The class is available in two formats and we offer both. Make your choice below to get started, or to see course descriptions, pricing and schedule:

Want the convenience of online? Our online class meets all the requirements of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and is available any time to be completed at your convenience. Upon completion you receive the Completion certificate you need to provide to DPS as part of your application.

Prefer an in-person classroom experience? Click here to register for our next regularly-scheduled, in-person LTC class. These are held four (4) times per year in our Tyler classroom. We do still offer a full-day option, which includes both the shooting test and the in-person classroom, which you will find in the next section.

Let's Do A Quick Checkup

The second most common questions we get are about the shooting test — what exactly do I need to do, and am I ready? We built LTC/Assess specifically to answer these questions. This quick, anonymous assessment takes just 5 minutes and will:

Answer your specific questions about the test
Provide insider tips and insights
Help you choose the right testing option
Give you solid next-step recommendations
Help you avoid surprises

Remember, it's an assessment tool, not a test — the quality of recommendations depends on honest answers, and everything stays completely anonymous. We encourage you to go ahead and take it now.

Skip the Checkup and Go Straight to the Range

We think LTC/Assess is a great way to decide which class is right for you. Not to brag or anything, but we've had long time gun owners — even long-time LTC holders — tell us they learned a thing or two going through it. Even so, if you're confident you know what you need to know, here are the options:

Ready to go. I just want the test. This is just the shooting test. If you've taken, or will take, the online class, this is what you want. You can also combine it with the in-person classroom, either before or after on a different day. Available four (4) times per year.

I want to do it all in the same day. Click here for the All-in-One-Day bundle which combines our in-person LTC classroom with the LTC shooting test in a single day. This is for you if you prefer getting it all done at once, in an in-person setting. This class is held four (4) times per year.

I think a little practice is a good idea. Here's a third option for people who want a little warm up, practice time, and marksmanship polish before taking the test. Our SkillBuilder+ is an intermediate handgun class which includes the LTC Shooting test at no additional charge. It's a great way to make sure you're ready to score well if you're not able to get to a shooting range on a regular basis.

With both the law class and the shooting test complete, you should now have a completion certificate for both (it may be just one form if you did them on the same day.) Let's move to the next step of the process.

Submitting Your Application

With your completion certificates in hand, it's now time to return to the DPS website to complete your application. Here's what you'll need:

Valid driver license or identification card
Current demographic, address, contact, and employment information,
Residential and employment information for the last five years (new users only),
Information regarding any psychiatric, drug, alcohol, or criminal history,
Valid email address, and
Valid credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express) ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

After you pay the fee you'll need to upload your supporting documents, including a copy of your drivers license and your completion certificates. Be sure you use a good, valid email address. This is where all your DPS communication will go, and you'll need it to get the next step.

After you submit your documents you will receive a service code - aka "fingerprint ticket" - which you need to use to make your fingerprint appointment, and which you need to print out and take with you.

Getting Printed

Texas uses IdentoGo for fingerprinting services. No other service or type of fingerprint is acceptable. You'll need to call or go online to make an appointment, because you can't just walk in and you'll need to find your nearest location. Be sure to take your drivers license and DPS service code when you go. Additional information is available at the DPS fingerprint page.

Congratulations!

You're all done. Now it's time to wait, but not for too long. Texas has always been pretty quick about granting licenses. If your background check clears ok you should receive your new license in three to four weeks. There's just one thing left to say: