If you are searching for best way to get a license to carry in Texas, the goal is usually not to read ten conflicting forum threads. You want a clear answer, the current Texas process, and a practical next step. This guide explains the issue in plain English and shows how the Online Texas LTC Class fits into the licensing process.
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Quick Answer: What Is the Best Way to Get a License to Carry in Texas
For most eligible applicants, the simplest path is to use a Texas DPS approved online course provider for the classroom portion, then complete the required proficiency portion with a qualified LTC instructor, submit the DPS application and supporting documents, and complete fingerprinting as directed. The online classroom option is attractive because it separates the classroom requirement from the in-person range appointment and lets students complete the education on their own schedule.
Ready to get started? Start your Online Texas LTC Class today with First Shot Training.
Table of Contents
Start With the Part You Can Control
The Texas LTC process has several moving pieces, but the classroom requirement is one of the easiest to complete on your own schedule. Texas DPS allows applicants to receive the classroom portion online through an approved Online Course Provider. That means you do not have to wait for an all-day classroom date before you begin learning the material. You can finish the education first, keep your training certificate organized, and then move through the remaining state steps.
First Shot Training’s preferred path is education first. Starting with the online class gives you a clear understanding of Texas carry law, handgun safety, nonviolent dispute resolution, and safe storage before you complete the rest of the licensing process. It also turns a process that can feel complicated into a short series of manageable tasks.
The Texas LTC Process in Plain English
A first-time applicant generally needs to complete the required classroom training, complete the handgun proficiency requirement unless an exception applies, submit the Texas DPS application and fee, submit fingerprints, and provide any supporting documents DPS requires. Texas DPS makes the final determination on eligibility and issuance.
The order of every step does not have to be identical for every student. DPS specifically notes that the range instruction and proficiency demonstration may be completed before the online classroom portion. What matters is that all required pieces are completed and submitted correctly.
Why Online Training Is Often the Easiest Starting Point
An online Texas LTC class removes the scheduling problem from the classroom portion. You can study from home, pause when allowed by the provider, and work around your job or family schedule. The provider First Shot Training links to is Texas Carry Academy, a Texas DPS certified online course provider.
Online does not mean the entire licensing process is remote. The online course covers the classroom requirement. Most applicants still need the in-person proficiency portion with a qualified instructor, plus the DPS application and fingerprinting process.
Take the next step: Start your Online Texas LTC Class today with First Shot Training.
Do Not Confuse Fast With Rushed
The best process is not the one that skips steps. It is the one that keeps every requirement organized. Before submitting anything to DPS, make sure your name and identification information are consistent, your training documentation is complete, and any special-condition documents are ready.
If you have a criminal-history, eligibility, immigration, protective-order, or other issue that could affect eligibility, review current DPS requirements before assuming a class completion means you will receive a license. Training is education, not an approval guarantee.
A Simple Order That Works Well for Many Students
A practical sequence is: enroll in the online LTC class, complete the classroom instruction and exam, schedule the proficiency portion with a qualified Texas LTC instructor, submit the DPS application, schedule fingerprints when instructed, and upload or send the required training and supporting documentation. Some students choose to apply to DPS earlier, and that can also work.
The important point is not to wait for a perfect day to start. If the classroom requirement is what has been holding you back, you can take care of that portion online and then work through the remaining steps one at a time.
Why an LTC Is Still Worth Considering
Texas permitless carry did not eliminate the LTC program. Texas DPS continues to issue licenses, and DPS identifies benefits tied to the license, including reciprocity in states that recognize it, certain carry-location benefits, use as an alternative permit for the federal NICS check when applicable, and other license-specific protections.
The class also gives you something permitless carry does not require: structured education on Texas law, safety, conflict avoidance, and storage. For many responsible Texans, that education is reason enough to complete the process.
Why This Question Matters Before You Enroll
People usually search for best way to get a license to carry in Texas because one unanswered detail is keeping them from moving forward. That is exactly the kind of question worth answering before you spend time on the rest of the process. The goal is not to pressure someone into a class that does not fit. The goal is to make the process clear enough that an eligible student can make a confident decision.
For most students who have already decided they want a Texas LTC, the online classroom portion is the easiest part to start. It removes a scheduling barrier while still requiring the same serious attention to Texas law, handgun safety, nonviolent dispute resolution, and safe storage.
What to Verify Before You Enroll
Before you enroll, make sure you understand the difference between the classroom requirement, the in-person proficiency component, and the DPS licensing process. Those pieces work together, but they are not the same thing. Check the current DPS training and application pages if your situation involves an unusual eligibility issue, special condition, or documentation requirement.
A good rule is simple: use First Shot Training and other educational resources to understand the process, then use Texas DPS as the authority for current licensing requirements. That keeps convenience and accuracy working together.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting for every other LTC step to be perfect before starting the classroom education.
- Assuming an online class means the entire first-time licensing process is online.
- Choosing a course without confirming that the underlying provider is approved for Texas LTC classroom training.
- Forgetting that the state application, fingerprints, and proficiency steps are separate from course enrollment.
- Focusing only on passing instead of learning the legal and safety material.
Most delays and confusion come from mixing up separate parts of the process or relying on stale information. Keep your documents organized, use current official sources, and complete one requirement at a time.
A Practical Next-Step Checklist
- Read the quick answer in this guide and decide whether the Texas LTC still fits your goal.
- Review the current Texas DPS page linked in this article for any rule that applies specifically to your situation.
- Start the approved online classroom portion when you are ready to complete the education requirement.
- Plan the proficiency, application, fingerprinting, and supporting-document steps that apply to you.
- Keep copies of training and application records until the license process is complete.
This approach is intentionally simple. You do not need to memorize every DPS page before you start the class, but you should understand which parts of the process are training, which are state administration, and which depend on your individual eligibility.
Why First Shot Training Starts With Education
First Shot Training’s primary recommendation is to begin with education because the LTC class has value beyond checking a box. The course introduces the legal framework, safe-handling responsibilities, conflict-avoidance concepts, and storage expectations that go with carrying a handgun responsibly.
The online format makes that education easier to schedule, but it does not make the responsibility smaller. An eligible student can learn from home, then move through the remaining Texas requirements with a clearer understanding of what the license means and what it does not mean.
How the Online Texas LTC Class Fits Into This
The online classroom option is designed to make the education requirement easier to fit into real life without watering down the responsibility that comes with the license. Texas DPS allows the classroom portion through an Approved Online Course Provider. First Shot Training connects students to an approved provider so they can complete that classroom requirement on a flexible schedule.
The online class is not a shortcut around Texas requirements. It is a convenient way to complete the education portion. Most first-time applicants still need to complete the applicable proficiency requirement, DPS application, fingerprinting, and supporting-document steps. Texas DPS makes the final decision on licensing eligibility.
Helpful First Shot Training Resources
Start with the Online Texas LTC Class page.
See how the Texas LTC process works from start to finish.
Read the Texas LTC and CHL FAQ.
Review our guide to getting your Texas License to Carry online.
Learn how the Online Texas LTC Class works from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my Texas LTC completely online?
The classroom portion can be completed online through an approved Online Course Provider. Most applicants still need an in-person handgun proficiency component with a qualified Texas LTC instructor, plus the DPS application and fingerprinting.
Do I have to apply to DPS before taking the class?
No. The classroom requirement can be completed before the DPS application. DPS also allows the proficiency portion to be completed before the online classroom portion.
How long is the Texas LTC classroom training?
Texas DPS says the required classroom instruction is four to six hours.
Does taking the class guarantee I will receive an LTC?
No. Texas DPS determines eligibility and issuance. Completing training is one required part of the process, not a guarantee of approval.
What is the easiest part to start first?
For many students, the online classroom portion is the simplest place to begin because it can be completed on a flexible schedule.
Official Texas Sources
For current, authoritative details, always confirm with the official Texas sources below:
- Texas DPS: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing/faq/training-requirements-faq
- Texas DPS: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing/faq/application-faqs
- Texas DPS: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing/ltc-benefits
- Texas Carry Academy: https://texascarryacademy.com/about-us/
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. First Shot Training is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. While we make every reasonable effort to ensure the information we publish is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, laws, regulations, licensing requirements, reciprocity agreements, and government policies may change without notice. You are responsible for verifying current information with official government sources before relying on any information contained in this article. If you have questions regarding how the law applies to your specific circumstances, consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
