State recognition changes, so a list you saw last year may already be wrong. This page explains how to read the current Texas DPS chart, and where the Online Texas LTC Class fits into the process.
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Quick Answer: What States Honor a Texas License to Carry
Texas DPS keeps the official chart for Texas LTC reciprocity and recognition. It covers states with reciprocal agreements. It also covers states that recognize Texas licenses under their own law. Recognition rules change. Some depend on your age or on where you live. Treat any list you find elsewhere as a snapshot. Check the current DPS chart before you carry, and check the law of the state you are visiting.
Table of Contents
Use the DPS Chart, Not a Screenshot From Last Year
Recognition rules change. The best Texas-side starting point is the official Texas DPS State Reciprocity Information chart. It lists every state and territory. It sorts each one into a group. It also links the agreement or the state law behind that entry.
The chart also carries important notes. Some states recognize only licenses issued to residents of the issuing state. Others set an age condition. A one-line list hides those details. For the principles behind reading any entry, see how a Texas LTC actually works outside Texas.
How Texas DPS Sorts the States
DPS puts every state and territory into one of three groups. Learning the three groups helps more than memorizing a list. The list changes. The three groups do not.
1. Reciprocal
DPS defines these as states that recognize each other’s handgun license. The recognition comes from an agreement or from a statute. It goes both ways. Most of the states that honor a Texas LTC are in this group. Oklahoma and Louisiana are two long-standing examples.
2. Unilateral
DPS defines this as one state recognizing another state’s valid license. Recognition goes one way only. You have to read the entry to see which way it goes.
This is the group people get wrong. On most unilateral entries, Texas honors that state’s license. That state does not honor your Texas LTC. A few entries run the other way. Minnesota is one. The DPS chart says Minnesota recognized the Texas license to carry effective April 29, 2025. The same entry says Minnesota license holders are not allowed to carry in Texas.
So a state marked Unilateral is not automatically a yes. Read the direction before you travel, and for the reverse question, see which out-of-state permits Texas recognizes.
3. No Agreement
Neither state recognizes the other one’s license. The District of Columbia sits in this group. So do several United States territories and a small number of states.
Read the Notes Next to Each State
The group is only half the answer. Many entries carry conditions. Some states recognize a license only if it was issued to a resident of the issuing state. Some require you to be 21. The DPS chart spells this out state by state. It also links the proclamation, agreement, or law behind each entry.
A one-line list cannot hold that detail. That is why this page does not publish one.
The Other State’s Laws Still Control
Recognition means the other state accepts your license. It does not send Texas law with you. While you are there, that state’s law controls. It decides where you may carry and what a posted sign means. It sets the rules inside a vehicle. It sets what you must do during a stop.
DPS says the same thing on the chart. License holders are responsible for knowing and following the laws of the state in which they are carrying.
Last verified: July 2026. Recognition can change at any time. Open the Texas DPS State Reciprocity Information chart before every trip, and check the destination state’s own official source too.
Take the next step: Start your Online Texas LTC Class today with First Shot Training.
Permitless Carry Can Make the Map More Complicated
Some states allow certain people to carry without a license even when they do not have a formal reciprocity agreement with Texas. That does not mean your Texas LTC is being honored. It means a separate state law may permit carry without relying on your Texas license.
The difference matters. Benefits and limits that come with a license can differ from the rules for permitless carry.
Why Travelers Still Value the Texas LTC
A Texas LTC gives you a credential that may be recognized beyond Texas. DPS lists that as one of the benefits of the license. If you travel often, the class and the licensing process can offer real practical value. Permitless carry inside Texas cannot do that on its own.
Check Again Before Every Trip
Before you travel, check the Texas DPS chart. Then open the official source for the state you are visiting. Confirm your age and your residency status. Make sure your license has not expired. Review prohibited locations and any notification or vehicle rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many states honor a Texas LTC?
The number and conditions can change, so First Shot Training does not recommend relying on a permanent number. Check the current Texas DPS chart before travel.
Is the DPS reciprocity chart enough by itself?
It is a strong starting point. DPS also tells license holders to follow the laws of the state they are in. Check that state’s official source too.
Do all reciprocal states recognize a nonresident Texas LTC?
No. Some states impose resident-license or age conditions.
Can permitless carry apply even if there is no reciprocity agreement?
Potentially, depending on the destination state’s law. That is separate from formal recognition of your Texas license.
Why get an LTC if reciprocity changes?
The license can still bring recognition in other states, Texas-specific benefits, and structured education.
Official Texas Sources
For current, authoritative details, always confirm with the official Texas sources below:
Reciprocity note: Which states honor a Texas License to Carry is set by agreements between states, and it can change at any time. This page does not publish a state list or a state count. Check the Texas DPS reciprocity chart, and the destination state's own official source, before you travel.
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.
