Between class schedules, work, and everything else going on in College Station, an online License to Carry course from East Texas Security Training Academy (ETXSTA) fits into an Aggieland lifestyle a lot more easily than a full-day, in-person class ever could. Work through the material on your own time, then handle the shooting test at a range near campus.
First, Make Sure You’re Eligible
Texas law sets clear requirements for LTC applicants. You must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have no felony conviction
- Have no Class A or B misdemeanor conviction in the last 5 years
- Not be subject to a protective or restraining order
- Have no pending criminal charges
- Not be a chemically dependent person
- Be qualified under state and federal law to possess a handgun
- Be of sound mind
- Not be finally determined delinquent on child support
Meet all of that, and you’re clear to start training.
The Two-Part Training Requirement
Texas breaks LTC training into an online classroom component and an in-person shooting proficiency test, and ETXSTA provides both.
Online Classroom
Move through the lessons at whatever pace fits your schedule. Topics include Texas firearm laws, use of force and self-defense law, safe handling and storage, non-violent dispute resolution, and how to properly interact with law enforcement while carrying. When you finish, download your LTC-104 Certificate of Training — the exact certificate Texas DPS requires — immediately.
Shooting Proficiency Test
Schedule this with an ETXSTA-certified instructor in College Station or a nearby location. You’ll shoot:
- 3 yards – 20 rounds
- 7 yards – 20 rounds
- 15 yards – 10 rounds
That’s 50 rounds total, with a passing score of 70%. Don’t panic if it takes more than one try — the state allows up to three attempts at both the written and range exams within a 12-month period. Also note: your certificates of training and proficiency are valid for two years, and must still be valid when you actually submit your application to DPS.
Active-duty military members and veterans with a qualifying range score or firearms familiarization proof from the past 10 years, state correctional officers, and county jailers who trained on the job are exempt from the range test and only need to complete the online course.
Worth Doing Even With Constitutional Carry
Texas doesn’t require a permit to carry, but the LTC still comes with real perks: reciprocity across 37 other states, added legal protections, access to some locations permitless carry doesn’t cover, and a skip past the NICS background check when buying from a dealer. ETXSTA has built a course College Station students and residents actually finish, backed by certified instructors who know the local range options well.