Plano commuters juggle a lot of driving between the Dallas North Tollway, US-75, and everywhere in between — and a growing number of them are adding a Texas License to Carry to their to-do list. Even though Texas allows permitless carry, an LTC still opens doors that constitutional carry doesn’t, and ETXSTA lets Plano residents knock out the classroom portion online, on their own schedule.
Constitutional Carry vs. an LTC: Why Bother?
Since Texas moved to permitless carry, some Plano residents wonder if a License to Carry is even worth the trouble. In practice, an LTC still delivers real, practical advantages that constitutional carry alone doesn’t provide:
- Out-of-state reciprocity — a Texas LTC is currently honored in 37 other states, which matters if you travel outside Texas with a handgun.
- Skip the NICS check — LTC holders can bypass the federal background check when buying a firearm from a licensed dealer.
- Access where permitless carry falls short — some locations and situations recognize an LTC holder’s status even where unlicensed carry isn’t an option.
- Added legal footing — LTC holders benefit from certain legal protections tied specifically to licensed status.
How the ETXSTA Online Course Works
Part One: Online, Self-Paced Classroom Training
Log in whenever it’s convenient — between meetings, after the kids are in bed, or on a lazy Saturday morning. The coursework covers everything the state requires:
- Texas laws governing firearm ownership and carry
- Use-of-force and self-defense law
- Safe handgun handling and secure storage
- De-escalation and non-violent conflict resolution
- How to properly interact with law enforcement while carrying
The moment you finish, you can instantly download your LTC-104 Certificate of Training — the official Texas DPS document proving you completed the classroom portion, and one of the pieces you’ll need for your LTC application.
Part Two: Live-Fire Qualification Near Plano
Once your classroom hours are done, you’ll schedule a hands-on shooting proficiency test with a certified instructor in Plano or a nearby location. The state-mandated course of fire looks like this:
- 3 yards — 20 rounds
- 7 yards — 20 rounds
- 15 yards — 10 rounds
That’s 50 rounds total, and you’ll need to hit at least 70% of the target to pass. Don’t stress if it doesn’t click the first time — Texas gives applicants up to three attempts to pass both the written exam and the range test within a 12-month window. And your training and proficiency certificates stay valid for two years, though they must still be current on the day you actually submit your LTC application to DPS.
Who’s Eligible?
To qualify for a Texas LTC, an applicant must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have no felony conviction
- Have no Class A or Class B misdemeanor conviction within the past five years
- Not be subject to a protective or restraining order
- Not have any active or pending criminal charges
- Not be a chemically dependent person
- Be qualified under both state and federal law to possess a handgun
- Be of sound mind
- Not have been finally determined delinquent on child support
A few groups can skip the in-person range day entirely and complete only the online classroom course: active-duty military members and veterans with a qualifying range score or firearms familiarization training within the last 10 years, state correctional officers, and county jailers who received firearms training on the job.
ETXSTA Makes Plano’s LTC Process Easy
East Texas Security Training Academy built this course to fit real schedules, not the other way around. Finish the online portion at your own pace, then meet an ETXSTA-certified instructor in Plano or a nearby location to finish strong on the range.