Pearland’s population keeps climbing, and with it the number of residents looking into a Texas License to Carry. ETXSTA’s online course lets you complete the state’s classroom requirement from home, then finish up with a single in-person range visit.
Who’s Exempt From the Range Test?
Let’s start with an exception a lot of applicants don’t know about. If you’re active-duty military or a veteran with a range score or firearms familiarization training completed within the last 10 years, or you’re a state correctional officer or county jailer who trained on the job, you’re exempt from the in-person shooting portion — the online classroom course covers your training requirement entirely.
For Everyone Else: The Two-Part Process
If you don’t qualify for that exemption, the path to your LTC has two stages.
Online Classroom Instruction
- 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
Shooting Proficiency Test
Afterward, you’ll schedule an in-person test with a certified instructor in Pearland or a nearby location. The course of fire totals 50 rounds:
- 3 yards – 20 rounds
- 7 yards – 20 rounds
- 15 yards – 10 rounds
A 70% score or better passes, and if you don’t clear it the first time, you’re allowed up to three attempts at both the written and range exams within 12 months.
Texas LTC Eligibility Checklist
- 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
The Case for Getting Licensed Anyway
Permitless carry means most Pearland residents don’t legally need an LTC — but plenty still choose to get one, because it adds:
- Reciprocity with 37 other states while traveling
- Certain legal protections and advantages
- Access to some locations permitless carry doesn’t cover
- No NICS background check when buying from a licensed dealer
Once you complete the online course, you can instantly download your LTC-104 Certificate of Training, the document Texas DPS requires with your application. It’s good for two years, so apply before it expires.
Why ETXSTA
ETXSTA keeps the process simple: an approved online curriculum plus easy scheduling for your range day near Pearland, with instructors who know the area.