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Renewing a Texas LTC is dramatically easier than getting one: entirely online, no class, no shooting test, no fingerprints — about 20 minutes and a standard $40 fee. Here's the renewal window, the steps, and the one-year cliff to avoid.
| Requirement | First license | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom course | Yes — 4–6 hours | No |
| Shooting proficiency test | Yes | No |
| Fingerprints | Yes (IdentoGO) | No — already on file |
| Standard state fee | $40 + course + range costs | $40 |
| Where it happens | Online + range + fingerprint site | 100% online |
First licenses run four to five years, expiring on your first birthday after the fourth anniversary of issuance. Every renewal after that is a five-year license.
Log into the Texas DPS Regulatory Services portal, confirm or update your personal information, answer the eligibility questions, upload a new photo if prompted, and pay the fee. DPS mails the new card. You can renew up to six months before expiration without losing any time — the new term extends from your current expiration date, so renewing early costs nothing.
Grace exists, but it's limited. Expired less than a year: you can still renew online as normal. Expired more than a year: you start over as a new applicant — course, shooting test, fingerprints, all of it. Put the renewal on a calendar with a reminder six months out; the one-year cliff turns a $40 task into a $150–$200 one.
Lapsed Past a Year? Retake 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.No. Renewals require no course, no shooting test, and no fingerprinting — the entire process is online and typically takes about 20 minutes.
Up to six months before expiration, with no lost time — the renewed license extends from your existing expiration date rather than the renewal date.
Expired under a year: renew online as normal. Expired over a year: you're treated as a new applicant and repeat the full process, including the classroom course and proficiency demonstration.
Starting from scratch instead? The complete Texas LTC guide covers all seven steps, the 2026 cost breakdown covers every fee, and the realistic timeline shows how long each stage takes.
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.
Inclusive, judgment-free firearm instruction in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
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.