From Rio Grande Valley households to weekend commuters, more McAllen residents are asking how to get a Texas License to Carry without losing a weekend to a classroom. ETXSTA’s online course answers that: finish the required instruction at home, then complete one live-fire test locally.
Do I Qualify for a Texas LTC?
You’re eligible if you:
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Have no felony convictions
- Have no Class A or Class B misdemeanor convictions within the past five years
- Are not subject to a protective or restraining order
- Have no pending criminal charges
- Are not a chemically dependent person
- Are eligible under state and federal law to possess a handgun
- Are of sound mind
- Have not been finally determined delinquent on child support
What Does the Course Actually Involve?
Two parts: online instruction, then an in-person shooting test.
The Online Portion
- Texas firearm laws
- Use-of-force and self-defense law
- Safe handgun handling and storage
- Non-violent dispute resolution
- Proper interaction with law enforcement while carrying
The Range Test
Afterward you’ll schedule time with an ETXSTA-certified instructor in McAllen or a nearby location. The course of fire is 50 rounds total:
- 3 yards – 20 rounds
- 7 yards – 20 rounds
- 15 yards – 10 rounds
Score 70% or higher to pass. If you need another shot at it, Texas allows up to three attempts at both the written and range exams within a 12-month period.
Can I Skip the Range Test?
Yes, if you’re active-duty military or a veteran with a range score or firearms familiarization training from the last 10 years, or a state correctional officer or county jailer who trained on the job. Those applicants only need to complete the online classroom course.
Why Not Just Rely on Permitless Carry?
Texas’s constitutional carry law is convenient, but an LTC still offers things it doesn’t:
- Reciprocity with 37 other states
- Certain legal protections and advantages
- The ability to carry in some places permitless carry doesn’t cover
- Skipping the NICS background check when buying from a dealer
Once you finish the online course, download your LTC-104 Certificate of Training right away — Texas DPS’s official proof-of-training document for your application. It’s valid for two years, so apply before it expires.
Why McAllen Residents Train with ETXSTA
ETXSTA’s state-approved curriculum and local range partnerships make finishing your LTC near McAllen simple, whether you’re new to carrying or renewing your commitment.