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A Texas License to Carry and permitless carry are different routes with different rules. Permitless carry did not eliminate the LTC program. An LTC requires an application and training, and it can matter when traveling to a state that recognizes the Texas license.
Your eligibility, destination and the place you plan to enter all matter. Check the current rules rather than assuming either route allows carrying everywhere. Start with Texas DPS’s overview of LTC benefits and the Texas State Law Library guide to permitless carry.
| Situation | Permitless carry | With a Texas LTC |
|---|---|---|
| Carrying inside Texas | Subject to eligibility and location restrictions | Subject to license and location restrictions |
| Carrying in other states | Check the destination state’s current law | Check current DPS reciprocity information and destination law |
| Buying from a licensed dealer | A license is not the same as a purchase background check | DPS lists the LTC as an alternative to the NICS check |
| Location restrictions | State and federal restrictions apply; exceptions have conditions | A license does not remove every restriction |
| Eligibility | Check current state law and applicable court rulings | Check current DPS eligibility requirements |
| Police interaction while carrying | No state-issued proof of eligibility | License documents your background check & training |
Carry restrictions depend on the location and applicable state and federal law. School-related restrictions have specific exceptions and conditions. Do not rely on a general comparison table to decide whether carrying is lawful in a particular place. Consult current official guidance for your circumstances.
The standard classroom requirement is four to six hours, followed by the required range instruction and proficiency demonstration. Follow the current DPS application and fingerprinting steps. DPS lists approximately 60 days for original application processing, with extensions possible when more information is required. See the DPS Application FAQs and our LTC timeline guide.
Start the Online LTC 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.Read our online Texas LTC course guide for an overview of the classroom portion and the steps that follow.
They refer to the same Texas license. CHL (Concealed Handgun License) was the name until 2016, when open carry became legal and the credential was renamed LTC (License to Carry). CCW is a generic term used in other states; Texas does not issue a document called a CCW. Constitutional carry is separate: it is carrying without any license at all.
No. The LTC program still exists. A license can provide benefits that permitless carry does not, including recognition in states that honor the Texas LTC. Check current DPS guidance and the rules for the places you plan to visit.
That depends on your circumstances. Review the Texas DPS list of LTC benefits and the restrictions that apply to the places you visit. A license does not remove every carry restriction.
The standard training includes four to six hours of classroom instruction, a written examination and a proficiency demonstration. Ask your qualified LTC instructor about the requirements and any preparation you need.
A license and confidence with safe handling are separate things. If you want patient instruction before spending time at the range, start with a private safety lesson in The Colony. A private lesson does not replace required LTC training or examinations.
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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.