How to Apply for the Texas License to Carry (LTC)

/ LTC Austin Blog

Texas CHL Application Process

I am asked fairly often where to go and how to apply for the Texas License to Carry / Concealed Handgun License and how to submit the paperwork. The Texas DPS website is not the most intuitive and can be frustrating to navigate. This also makes it difficult to explain the process without being able to see the website. The same goes for the Texas LTC/CHL Renewal process. I’ll explain it all here. Let’s get started.

New Applications:

Note: The online application can be started before or after you have completed the LTC/CHL class.

What you will need:

DL/ID Number
Credit Card/Debit Card
Previous addresses for 5 years prior to application.
Previous job history for 5 years prior to application, including the business addresses.
All previous criminal history. This includes all arrests regardless of the outcome. Dates of charges, county and disposition date will be needed.
LTC-100 Certificate. You do not have to have this to complete the application. It is submitted after the application is already started. This is the certificate provided by your instructor after completing the LTC Class.

Step 1 – Apply Online

Go HERE to begin the Texas DPS license to carry / concealed handgun license application.

Unless you are returning to the site to check the application status, select the “Apply” button under “New Users” at the bottom of the page.

Once the application has been completed, it is recommended to save a copy of the confirmation page at the end. You should also receive an email confirmation from DPS. Usually the email address from the DPS will have “RDS” in it, which stands for regulatory services. I have seen these emails go to the spam folder before, so just keep an eye out for it.

Step 2 – Fingerprinting:

All fingerprinting is done through a private company, Identogo. Unfortunately, even if you have been fingerprinted by them in the past, you will still have to go again for the LTC/CHL. In the confirmation email received, there is a link to schedule an appointment for fingerprinting with Identogo. They do not accept walk ins. You must schedule an appointment and pay ($10).

Signing up through the Identogo website is fairly easy and self explanatory. The one spot that people get confused on is the page that asks for the type of documents you will bring for identification. Read the options carefully. See the screenshot below and choose the same highlighted blue option if you have/will use a US State Drivers License (most common form of ID).

Identogo

Identogo will then send the fingerprinting paperwork to the state for you. The big inconvenience with Identogo is that they only have a few locations in the area. Based on Google maps, it appears they have a total of 4 locations for the entire Austin and surrounding areas.

Step 3 – Submit LTC-100 / LTC-101 Certificate

The LTC-100 is the form received after completing the LTC/CHL class. If an online LTC class was taken, an LTC-101 should have been issued. The LTC-101 is only complete and ready to submit once the shooting qualification has been taken as well.

These forms should never be submitted to DPS until after the online application has been started with the above steps. It is possible to submit the forms before the application has been started, but DPS will not know what to do with it as there will be no account to attach it to.

A. Start by going HERE. This link will take you directly to the DPS RSD (regulatory services division) for handgun licensing and LTC-100/CHL-100/LTC-101 submission.

B. Follow the images below for the step-by-step instructions.

Select "Yes" under "Have you submitted your LTC application or do you have an existing application on file?" If you have not submitted your LTC application yet, please select no and complete the application in step 1 first.

Enter your information. Use the same information that was provided when submitting the application in step 1.

Select "choose file" and go to the location on your computer where the LTC 100/101 is located. Select the file.

Click on "attach" to attach the file to be submitted.

Enter the security phrase and then click on "Submit Form". Finished!

Step 4 – Wait!

All that is left now to do is wait. DPS states that applications take up to 60 days to process, however it seems lately they are only taking 2-4 weeks.

Texas LTC renewal process

An initial Texas License to Carry a Handgun is valid for 4 years. Renewal licenses are good for 5 years. Before the license expires, a renewal notification letter should arrive in the mail. It will state when your LTC expires and how to renew it. DPS charges $40 for the renewal, however there is no classes or qualifications that have to be completed. Here are the steps:

Go HERE and select “login” under “Returning Users”. Fill in your DL or ID Number and your Date of Birth. Then click on “Continue”. Follow the instructions to complete the application.

After submitting the renewal, DPS will send an email, confirming that an online application has been completed. Unless there is something wrong with the fingerprints and/or photo DPS has on file, the renewal application is finished.

If there are any questions about the process for submitting the application, please contact me. Hopefully this information will be found useful. Thanks!