Between the stadiums, the entertainment district, and everyday life in the heart of the Metroplex, Arlington residents have plenty of reasons to think seriously about personal protection. Texas doesn’t require a license to carry a handgun, but a Texas License to Carry (LTC) still opens doors that permitless carry doesn’t. ETXSTA’s online LTC course lets you complete the required training on your own time and finish with a shooting test close to home.
Eligibility: What Texas Requires
Before enrolling, check that you meet each of these standards set by Texas DPS:
- 18 years of age or older
- No felony conviction
- No Class A or B misdemeanor conviction within the past five years
- Not restricted by a protective or restraining order
- No active or pending criminal charges
- Not a chemically dependent person
- Qualified under state and federal law to possess a handgun
- Of sound mind
- Not finally determined delinquent on child support obligations
Course Structure: Classroom, Then Range
Texas requires every LTC applicant to complete an online classroom course and pass a live-fire proficiency test. Here’s how each piece works with ETXSTA.
The Online Classroom
Self-paced and available whenever you have a moment, the coursework covers Texas firearm laws, use-of-force and self-defense law, safe handgun handling and storage, non-violent dispute resolution, and how to properly interact with law enforcement while carrying. Finish it, and your LTC-104 Certificate of Training — the official Texas DPS proof-of-training document — is available for instant download. It’s valid for two years, but must still be current when you submit your license application.
The Shooting Proficiency Test
Next, schedule your range day with an ETXSTA-certified instructor in Arlington or a nearby location. Texas’s required course of fire is 50 rounds total:
- 3 yards – 20 rounds
- 7 yards – 20 rounds
- 15 yards – 10 rounds
A passing score is 70% or better, and you get up to three attempts at both the written exam and the range test within a 12-month period if you need a second or third try.
Certain applicants are exempt from the shooting test entirely and only need the online classroom course: active-duty military members and veterans with a range score or proof of firearms familiarization training within the last 10 years, state correctional officers, and county jailers who completed firearms training as part of their employment.
Why Bother with a License in a Permitless-Carry State?
- Reciprocity in 37 other states when you travel
- Legal protections specific to license holders
- Access to some locations that permitless carry doesn’t cover
- No NICS background check when buying a firearm from a licensed dealer
ETXSTA in Arlington
We built our course to be state-compliant, easy to use, and flexible enough for busy Metroplex schedules — with a clear path to your shooting test near Arlington once the classroom portion is done.