The short answer to this question is usually within 60 days and no longer than eight weeks. This general time frame refers to the time it usually takes after submitting your info and how long the state has to respond once your application has been submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The firearms education pros from Online LTC, a premier provider of LTC 101 classes, offer a more detailed overview of the time and effort typically involved with the process of obtaining your LTC in Texas.
Classroom Instruction
Since 2013, Texas has required license to carry applicants to complete 4 to 6 hours of classroom instruction—not counting range time—to get started with the LTC process. If you opt for in-person instruction to go over things like the basics of gun safety and state laws, you’ll need to do this in one continuous session. However, you can split up your class into smaller, more manageable segments if you opt for online instruction
Shooting Proficiency
Once you’ve successfully completed the required initial instruction, you’ll need to demonstrate basic handgun shooting proficiency at an approved location. Typically, it takes about an hour to complete this process, which requires you to shoot 20 rounds at 3 and 7 yards and 10 rounds at 15 yards. You’re welcome to go to a local range immediately after completing the instruction part if you’re an experienced shooter. However, if you’re a newer handgun user, you may prefer to take some time to practice and gain more confidence and comfort with handgun use.
Submitting Your Application
The application you’ll need to submit to the DPS can be accessed, filled out, and submitted online at https://txapps.texas.gov/txapp/txdps/ltc/. You should be able to complete this part of the process fairly quickly.
Submitting Your Fingerprints
After you submit your DPS application, you’ll need to get your fingerprints taken. In Texas, this is done at any nearby IdentoGO location. Scheduling information will be emailed to you after the DPS LTC application is completed. How long this part of the LTC process will take depends on factors such as your proximity to an IdentoGO location and how busy the site is when you arrive.
Submitting Your LTC 100 or LTC 101 Document
After you’ve completed the required classroom instruction (either in person or online) and the shooting proficiency requirements, you’ll receive an LTC 100 or LTC 101 document. This is what confirms you’ve met these two LTC requirements successfully. Follow this link to submit your document: https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/contact/ltcatt.aspx. Again, this is something that can usually be completed fairly quickly.
Processing Time
Officially, the state of Texas has up to eight weeks to issue a response once everything has been submitted. However, the DPS website states every effort is made to issue a response within 60 days. As you wait, you may log back into the DPS website as a returning user to see what’s going on with your LTC application. Possible reasons for delays or denials include:
• Not submitting all required documents
• Being delinquent on child support payments
• Not qualifying to be a legal handgun owner and user in Texas due to other issues (e.g., having an A or B misdemeanor conviction, being a felon, etc.)
When you’re ready to get your Texas LTC, make sure you choose a premier training provider. Online Texas LTC is committed to offering the best firearms training possible. When they need information on firearms safety or they want to take a Texas LTC online course, gun owners trust the expertise of the pros from Online Texas LTC. If you have questions about any aspect of gun ownership in Texas, give us a call today at 512-675-2124.
