Use Your Military Shooting Qualification for Texas License to Carry (LTC)
If you are an active-duty service member or a recently separated veteran, you may already meet one of the key requirements for obtaining a LTC —just use your military shooting qualification for Texas Concealed Carry live-fire requirement.
Texas allows Active or Military Veteran (“Honorable” or “Under Honorable” or “General”) members to use a valid military firearms qualification as proof of handgun proficiency for the LTC, as long it was within the preceding 10 years, in place of the live-fire qualification normally required in a civilian LTC course.
Meaning, this replaces the range shooting portion of the LTC process. You do not have to requalify on the range with an LTC instructor if your military documentation is accepted, but there are still a few important steps you must complete.
What You Still Must Do
Even with a valid military shooting qualification, Texas law still requires you to complete the following steps:
1. Take Our LTC Class (Online or In-Person)
You must still complete the LTC classroom instruction, which covers:
- Texas use-of-force and self-defense laws
- Where carry is legal and prohibited
- Responsibilities of an LTC holder
- Proper handgun storage and safety
Your instructor or online course provider will provide your Handgun Training Certificate (LTC-104) upon course completion.
Read more about our Online Texas LTC Course here
2. Submit an Application to Texas DPS
After completing our class, you must apply through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). This includes:
- Complete the online LTC application
- Upload LTC-104
- Upload required documents (military ID AND current LES; OR current orders; OR letter from Commanding Officer; OR copy of your DD-214)
- Pay the applicable fee (Active Duty Fee = $0; Veteran Fee = $25)
3. Get Fingerprinted
Fingerprinting is mandatory for all LTC applicants, including military members.
You will need to:
- Schedule fingerprinting through DPS’s approved vendor (you will get an email with how to schedule after submitting through DPS)
- Attend the appointment in person
There are no exemptions for fingerprinting based on military status.
4. Monitor and Wait for approval
Once DPS has your application in their system you will be able to monitor the progress of your application. If for some reason an aspect of your application is not accepted, they will email you what will be required. This is where we military type can see the “red” blocks turn into “green” blocks as things are completed and accepted.
Benefits of Using Your Military Qualification for Texas Concealed Carry
No additional range qualification required
Faster overall process, you could have your application done by this weekend…
No need to waste a Saturday taking an In Person class, do the online class at your pace (4-6 hours)
Save Money – no need to buy ammo to qualify; no need to pay for range qual time; no need for an Instructor Led class (online classes are usually cheaper!)
Train First…Shoot Second
By clicking “Enroll Now” you will be redirected to the website of our affiliate partner, Texas Carry Academy. There, you can complete your enrollment and purchase, for your Texas Approved Online LTC Course! If you feel an Instructor Led class would be more beneficial, please visit our class schedule to enroll.
