Austin moves fast, and most of the people asking us about a License to Carry (LTC) tell us the same thing: they don’t have a free Saturday to burn on an all-day classroom. Good news — you don’t need one. ETXSTA’s online LTC course lets you handle the required Texas DPS instruction from your laptop between meetings, then wraps up with a short in-person shooting test near Austin.
Do You Qualify?
Texas sets a clear bar for LTC applicants. Before you enroll, make sure you can say yes to all of these:
- You are 18 years of age or older
- You have no felony conviction on your record
- You have not been convicted of a Class A or B misdemeanor in the past 5 years
- You are not subject to a protective or restraining order
- You have no criminal charges currently pending
- You are not a chemically dependent person
- You meet state and federal requirements to possess a handgun
- You are of sound mind
- You have not been finally determined delinquent on child support
Getting Licensed: The Two-Part Process
1. Online Classroom Instruction
The self-paced portion covers everything Texas DPS requires: state firearm laws, use-of-force and self-defense law, safe handgun handling and storage, defusing conflict without violence, and how to properly interact with law enforcement while carrying. Move through it as quickly or slowly as your Austin schedule allows.
Finish the course and your LTC-104 Certificate of Training — the official proof-of-training document DPS requires for your application — is available for instant download. Just remember it’s only good for two years, and it must still be valid when you actually submit your LTC application.
2. In-Person Shooting Proficiency Test
Next, book a range session with a certified instructor in Austin or a nearby location. The state-mandated course of fire is 50 rounds:
- 3 yards – 20 rounds
- 7 yards – 20 rounds
- 15 yards – 10 rounds
A score of 70% or better is a pass. If you come up short, Texas gives you up to three attempts at both the written exam and the range test within a 12-month window, so one off day won’t derail your license.
Some applicants never have to touch a range for this course at all. Active-duty military members and veterans with a range score or proof of firearms familiarization training within the last 10 years, state correctional officers, and county jailers who completed firearms training on the job are exempt from the shooting test and only need to complete the online classroom course.
Constitutional Carry Doesn’t Make the LTC Pointless
Texas doesn’t require a permit to carry anymore, but an LTC still delivers real value:
- Reciprocity in 37 other states — handy if your travels take you outside Texas.
- Additional legal protections that come with holding a license.
- Access to some places where permitless carry alone isn’t recognized.
- No NICS background check when purchasing a firearm through a licensed dealer.
Why Austin Residents Choose ETXSTA
ETXSTA keeps the curriculum state-approved and the platform simple, and we help connect you with a range near Austin for your proficiency test — no guesswork required.