Whether you’re new to owning a firearm or have had a gun for home defense for years, getting a concealed carry license may seem daunting. It doesn’t have to be. There are many reasons and ways to carry a concealed weapon, but the first step is knowing the laws. Applying for a CCW varies by state. Read about the process for getting a Texas License to Carry (LTC) below.
Similar to license requirements, states vary greatly in their processes for how an applicant obtains a concealed carry license, what their permits/licenses are called, whether licenses include photographs, whether fingerprinting is required, license duration, license costs and turnaround times. Some states allow an applicant to complete an application online, while others require an in-person visit to the office of the respective issuing authority. There are even states that require the applicant to provide a list of non-related character references.
Concealed Carry License Basics
Texas is a shall-issue state with LTCs issued at the state level by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). This means that licensing authorities in Texas are compelled to issue a license as long as an applicant meets the basic requirements set out by state law.
Texas LTCs are issued to both residents and non-residents who are at least 18 years old (previously 21).* They require a four- to six-hour concealed carry training class as well as passing both a written exam and a shooting proficiency demonstration. An LTC is valid for five years.
Permitless concealed carry and open carry is legal for anyone at least 18 years old who may lawfully possess a handgun. The new law applies to both open carry in a holster and concealed carry, where no part of the firearm is visible. Texas law is quite specific in that openly carried handguns must be kept in a holster.
In terms of reciprocity, since Texas allows permitless carry, any person 18 years of age and older who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on his or her person without a license or permit.
*United States District Judge Mark T. Pittman ruled that 18 to 20 year olds must be allowed to carry a handgun outside the home in Texas. He allowed this to be done by letting them get a Texas license to carry. The DPS will now issue a Texas LTC to anyone that is at least 18 years old. On Jan. 10, 2023, the Office of General Counsel sent a memo to DPS offices directing them to no longer longer enforce the state law that bars adults under 21 from carrying handguns in public.
Federally Prohibited Persons
The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 make it illegal for a person who fits into any of the prohibited categories to ship, transport, receive or possess firearms or ammunition. These laws prevent a state from issuing a concealed carry license/license as it would be illegal for people who fit in these categories, by federal law, to own or possess a gun.
What Are the License Requirements in Texas?
An applicant must:
- Be a legal resident of Texas for six months or have relocated with the intent to establish residency in the state
- Be at least 18 years of age or a member or veteran of the U.S. armed forces, Reserves or National Guard or discharged under honorable conditions
- Meet training requirements
- Have not been convicted of a felony
- Have not been charged with the commission of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense, or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense, or of a felony under an information or indictment
- Not be a fugitive from justice for a felony or a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense
- Not be chemically dependent
- Be capable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a handgun
- Not, in the five 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
- Be fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to purchase a handgun
- Not have been finally determined to be delinquent in making a child support payment administered or collected by the attorney general
- Not have been finally 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
- Not be currently restricted under a court protective order or subject to a restraining order affecting the spousal relationship, other than a restraining order solely affecting property interests
- Not, in the 10 years preceding the date of application, have been adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony
- Not have made any material misrepresentation, or failed to disclose any material fact, in an application submitted pursuant to Section 411.174
- Meet the federal law requirements mentioned above
Do I Need Firearms Training in Texas?
Texas law requires you to submit proof of competency with a firearm. A handgun proficiency course must include four to six hours of classroom or online instruction in:
- Laws that relate to weapons and to the use of deadly force
- Handgun use and safety, including use of restraint holsters and methods to ensure the secure carrying of openly carried handguns
- Non-violent dispute resolution
- Proper storage practices for handguns, including storage practices that eliminate the possibility of accidental injury to a child
The range instruction part of the course must include an actual demonstration by the applicant of the applicant’s ability to safely and proficiently use the applicable category of handgun. An applicant may not be certified unless he or she demonstrates, at a minimum, the degree of proficiency that is required to effectively operate a handgun. However, active duty and honorably discharged members of the military may not be required to complete the range instruction portion of a handgun proficiency course.
The shooting test requires 50 rounds of ammunition fired at three distances:
- 3 yards – 20 rounds fired
- 7 yards – 20 rounds fired
- 15 yards – 10 rounds fired
The proficiency examination must also include a written (or online portal) test concerning the subjects listed above, as well as the physical demonstration of proficiency in the use and safety procedures of one or more handguns and in handgun safety procedures.
A Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals Class from the USCCA meets permitting requirements in Texas. Find a class near you!
How Do I Get a Concealed Carry License in Texas?
You can either submit the application by mail or online.
Step 1: Download the application form or submit an online application. You will need the following:
- 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
Step 2: Schedule an appointment for fingerprinting. All fingerprints must be submitted through L-1 Enrollment Services.
Step 3: Complete classroom training. Pass the written exam and pass a shooting proficiency demonstration.
Step 4: Submit the certificate of training to DPS to complete the application. If you are mailing your application, send it to:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Concealed Handgun – MSC 0245
P.O. Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0001
Step 5: You will be notified if your application has been approved.
For more information, visit the USCCA Texas Gun Laws page or How to Get a License in Texas page now…
The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. members and the concealed carry community, and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Laws are constantly changing, and as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.
