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Texas Government Code §411.172 lists exactly who can't get a License to Carry — and most worried applicants turn out to be eligible. Here's the complete list, the disqualifiers that expire with time, and what's commonly (and wrongly) assumed to be disqualifying.
| Disqualifier | How long it lasts | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Felony conviction | Permanent | §411.172(a) |
| Class A or B misdemeanor conviction (incl. DWI) | 5 years from conviction | §411.172(a) |
| Felony or Class A/B charges currently pending | Until resolved | §411.172(a) |
| Chemical dependency (incl. 2 intoxication convictions in 10 yrs) | 10-year lookback | §411.172(a) |
| Active protective or restraining order | While in effect | §411.172(a) |
| Delinquent child support or state taxes | Until brought current | §411.172(a) |
Deferred adjudication generally counts as a conviction for LTC purposes, and federal firearm prohibitions apply on top of the state list. This is general information, not legal advice.
Several disqualifiers are time-limited, not permanent. A Class A or B misdemeanor conviction — including a first DWI — blocks eligibility for five years from conviction, then clears on its own. The chemical-dependency presumption uses a ten-year lookback. Pending charges only disqualify while pending; dismissal or acquittal restores eligibility immediately. And the financial disqualifiers — delinquent child support or state taxes — end as soon as you're current or on an approved payment plan.
Common non-issues: arrests that never became convictions (in most circumstances), Class C misdemeanors like ordinary traffic tickets, properly expunged records, bad credit, and old charges that were dismissed outright. If your history is complicated — out-of-state records, deferred adjudications, anything ambiguous — read §411.172 directly and consider a short consult with a criminal-law attorney before spending on the course and fees, since the state fee isn't refunded on denial.
Eligible? Take the $49 Online Course →Disclosure: we may earn a commission if you register through this link, at no additional cost to you. It’s how we keep guides like this free.For five years from conviction, yes — DWI is at least a Class B misdemeanor. After five years it's no longer disqualifying on its own, though two intoxication convictions within ten years can trigger the chemical-dependency provision.
Deferred adjudication is usually treated as a conviction for LTC eligibility even when your record shows a dismissal. Felony deferred adjudication is disqualifying; Class A/B deferred adjudication follows the five-year rule.
Yes — read Texas Government Code §411.172 against your own history, and get an attorney's read on anything ambiguous before spending on the course and state fee. The application fee is not refunded if you're denied.
Eligible and ready to start? The complete Texas LTC guide walks all seven steps, the 2026 cost breakdown covers every fee, and if the range portion is the worry, here's exactly what the shooting test involves.
Reviewed by Ike Hajinazarian, certified firearms instructor and founder of Liberty for All Training Co., featured on the Sunday front page of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
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DISCLAIMER: Liberty for All Training Co. ("L4A") is a certified firearm safety instruction company serving the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. We provide in-person safety education and skills training only. We do not retail or broker the sale of firearms, ammunition, or weapons. Ammunition consumed during instruction is included as part of lesson pricing and is not sold separately.