The Texas Concealed Carry Class changed to the License to Carry Class in 2016. The right to open carry is included as a part of that license. In 2021, Texas passed “Constitutional Carry”, permitting citizens to carry handguns without the LTC. There are still many benefits to having a LTC due to legal restrictions on unlicensed gun owners in spite of “Constitutional Carry.” The Texas Concealed Carry Class has officially been changed to the “License to carry class.”

LTC Benefits

• Carry on a premises
  • Airport: License holders have protections related to the accidental carrying of a firearm in the secured area.
  • Business: Businesses may choose to allow licensed carry on their premises.
  • Government Meetings: License holders can carry in a meeting.
  • University Campuses: License still required to carry on university campuses; “Campus Carry” is unchanged. 
• $40.00: Valid for five years ($8.00 per year).
• License can be used as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
• ID Designation
  • Instructor: You can use your ID for proof of certification as a Texas Handgun License instructor.
  • Judge/Prosecutor: You can use your ID for identification purposes.
  • Veteran: You can use your ID to obtain discounts at local establishments offering discounts to veterans.
• State Reciprocity
  • Texas Handgun License holders can carry firearms in states where Texas has a reciprocity agreement or state law recognizes the Texas Handgun license.
  • You can find a list of states with reciprocal agreements/state law recognition with Texas at the following link: State Reciprocity Information.
• Training
  • Required to apply for a Handgun License.
  • Conducted by a licensed Texas Handgun Instructor.

Training Requirements

• Complete a state approved training course. The course must include the following topics:
  • Gun Safety
  • Storage
  • Laws related to carrying a concealed handgun
  • Most states require 4-6 hours of training
  • The Texas shooting requirements are:
    • A B-27 target (silhouette target measuring 45 inches high and 24 inches wide)
    • 250 possible points, 175 points minimum to pass
    • You fire all shots from the ready position, meaning there is no holster use
    • You fire the shots from three distances: 3 yards, 7 yards, and 15 yards

You can find the full list of Texas requirements and procedures on the Texas DPS Handgun licensing website. Once you have obtained your LTC, there are a few simple steps to periodically renewing your license.

Renewing Your LTC

• Renew online every 5 years
• $40 Renewal cost
• You do not need a class to renew
• You do not need to repeat the shooting proficiency to renew