Independence runs deep in Midland, and so does gun ownership. If you’re ready to add a Texas License to Carry to that independence, ETXSTA’s online course lets you finish the state’s classroom hours on your own time, with just one trip to the range required.
The Shooting Proficiency Test, Explained
Here’s what to expect on range day: a 50-round course of fire split across three distances.
- 3 yards – 20 rounds
- 7 yards – 20 rounds
- 15 yards – 10 rounds
You’ll need to hit at least 70% of the scoring area to pass, and if you come up short, Texas allows up to three attempts at both the written and range exams within a 12-month window.
Before the Range: Online Classroom Training
The proficiency test is only half the requirement. First, you’ll complete ETXSTA’s self-paced online course covering:
- Texas firearm laws
- Use-of-force and self-defense law
- Safe handgun handling and storage
- Non-violent dispute resolution
- Proper interaction with law enforcement while carrying
Once that’s finished, you’ll schedule your live-fire test with an ETXSTA-certified instructor in Midland or a nearby location.
Are You Eligible?
- 18 years of age or older
- No felony convictions
- No Class A or Class B misdemeanor convictions in the past five years
- Not subject to a protective or restraining order
- No pending criminal charges
- Not a chemically dependent person
- Eligible under state and federal law to possess a handgun
- Of sound mind
- Not finally determined delinquent on child support
Exemption for Military, Corrections, and Jail Staff
Active-duty service members and veterans with a range score or firearms familiarization training from the past 10 years, plus state correctional officers and county jailers who trained on the job, can skip the shooting test altogether and complete only the online classroom course.
Why an LTC Still Matters in a Permitless-Carry State
- Reciprocity with 37 other states
- Legal protections and advantages an unlicensed carrier doesn’t have
- Access to some locations permitless carry doesn’t cover
- Skipping the NICS background check on firearm purchases
Finish the online coursework and download your LTC-104 Certificate of Training immediately — Texas DPS’s official proof of training, required for your license application. It’s valid for two years, so don’t let it lapse before you apply.
ETXSTA in Midland
ETXSTA combines an approved online curriculum with local range access, so completing your LTC near Midland takes one afternoon, not a lost weekend.