
New change for 18 – 20 year olds in Texas who want their license to carry
The Texas Department of Public Safety posted on their FAQ page that they will no longer deny a persons applications for the TEXAS License to carry solely on the basis that the applicants are 18 to 20 years old.
The following was recently posted on the DPS website:
A federal district court has ruled the Department can no longer apply the License to Carry statutory eligibility criteria that prohibit otherwise eligible 18-to-20 year-olds from obtaining the license. Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. et. al., v. Steven McCraw, et. al., No. 4:21-cv-1245-P. The Department will therefore no longer deny applications solely on the basis that the applicants are 18-to-20 years old.
https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing/faq/eligibility-faqs
This has a significant impact on individuals who want to carry on campus. Currently, only an individual who has a license to carry can carry a handgun on a college campus and the firearm must be concealed.
How to get your license to carry
Step 1 – Apply Online
Go HERE to begin the Texas DPS license to carry / concealed handgun license application.Unless you are returning to the site to check the application status, select the “Apply” button under “New Users” at the bottom of the page .
What is the cost? The Texas DPS processing fee is different from our class fee.
$40 Standard Fee for Initial License
$25 Military Veteran – ETS or Retired over 365 days
$0 Active Duty – Includes Active Guard, Texas State Guard & Reserves
Once the application has been completed, it is recommended to save a copy of the confirmation page at the end. You should also receive an email confirmation from DPS. Usually the email address from the DPS will have “RDS” in it, which stands for regulatory services. I have seen these emails go to the spam folder before, so just keep an eye out for it.
Step 2 – Fingerprinting:
All fingerprinting is done through a private company, Identogo. Unfortunately, even if you have been fingerprinted by them in the past, you will still have to go again for the LTC/CHL. In the confirmation email received, there is a link to schedule an appointment for fingerprinting with Identogo. They do not accept walk-ins. You must schedule an appointment and pay ($10).
Step 3 – Complete an approved course and submit LTC-100 / LTC-101 Certificate
The LTC-100 is the form received after completing the LTC/CHL class. If an online LTC class was taken, an LTC-101 should have been issued. The LTC-101 is only complete and ready to submit once the shooting qualification has been taken as well.
These forms should never be submitted to DPS until after the online application has been started with the above steps. It is possible to submit the forms before the application has been started, but DPS will not know what to do with it as there will be no account to attach it to.
A. Start by going HERE. This link will take you directly to the DPS RSD (regulatory services division) for handgun licensing and LTC-100/CHL-100/LTC-101 submission
Step 4 – Wait!
All that is left now to do is wait. DPS states that applications take up to 60 days to process, however it seems lately they are only taking 2-4 weeks.
Online Texas License to Carry Course
Train Protect Defend’s Online Texas LTC Class + Group Proficiency Demonstration
- Get certified online!
- Instant access after purchase. Take the class at your own pace from any device.
- Includes a group proficiency demonstration through Train, Protect, Defend conducted every Wednesday at 407 Gun Club In Argyle from 4p-6p.
- You can rent a gun from us to use during the shooting portion if you don’t have one.