San Antonio is home to more military installations than almost any other city in Texas, so it’s no surprise a lot of veterans and active-duty service members here are curious about the Texas License to Carry. Whether you’ve served or not, ETXSTA puts the classroom side of the LTC course entirely online, so you can complete it around drill schedules, shift work, or whatever else fills your calendar.
Good News for Military Members and Veterans
If you’re active-duty military, or a veteran with a qualifying range score or firearms familiarization training completed within the last 10 years, you may be exempt from the in-person shooting proficiency test and only need to finish the online classroom course. The same exemption applies to state correctional officers and county jailers who received firearms training as part of their job.
Eligibility Requirements for Everyone Else
Regardless of exemptions, every applicant must still meet Texas’s core eligibility standards. You must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have no felony conviction
- Have no Class A or B misdemeanor conviction within the past five years
- Not be restricted by a protective or restraining order
- Have no active or pending criminal charges
- Not be a chemically dependent person
- Be qualified under state and federal law to possess a handgun
- Be of sound mind
- Not be finally determined delinquent on child support
What’s Actually in the Course
For applicants who need the full course, ETXSTA’s online classroom covers Texas firearm law, use-of-force and self-defense law, safe handgun handling and storage, non-violent conflict resolution, and proper interaction with law enforcement while carrying. Once finished, your LTC-104 Certificate of Training — the state’s official proof-of-training document — is ready for instant download.
If you’re not exempt, you’ll also need to pass a live-fire shooting proficiency test with a certified instructor in San Antonio or a nearby location. The state-required course of fire is:
- 3 yards – 20 rounds
- 7 yards – 20 rounds
- 15 yards – 10 rounds
A passing score is 70% across those 50 total rounds. If you don’t pass right away, Texas gives applicants up to three attempts to pass the written exam and the range test within a 12-month period. Note that certificates of training and proficiency are valid for two years, but need to still be current when you submit your LTC application.
The Case for Getting Licensed
Texas’s permitless carry law means most adults can legally carry without a license — but an LTC still adds real value: reciprocity in 37 other states, no NICS background check when buying a firearm from a dealer, additional legal protections, and access to some locations where unlicensed carry doesn’t apply.
ETXSTA is proud to serve San Antonio’s civilian and military communities alike with a state-approved online course and accessible local range testing.