Yes! In Texas you can apply for your License to Carry (LTC) at 18, as long as you meet the other standard eligibility requirements.

Start with our Level II Security Certification — Texas DPS requires it before you can move on to Level III. If you know you want to go all the way, our Security Career Catalyst bundles Levels II–IV (plus your LTC) into one path at a lower total cost than buying each class separately.

Level II is the entry-level course everyone completes first — Texas DPS requires it whether you’re applying for a Non-Commissioned Security license or working toward a Security Officer Commission. Level III is required to earn a Security Officer Commission (that’s what makes an officer commissioned/armed) and is also required for Personal Protection Officers. Level IV is specifically for Personal Protection Officers — DPS requires it in addition to Level III before you can be licensed to provide personal protection (bodyguard) services.

Yes. Our online License to Carry class is approved statewide by the Texas Department of Public Safety, so it’s valid no matter where in Texas you live or plan to carry.

The classroom portion of the LTC course is 100% video-based and self-paced — complete it on your own schedule from any device. The shooting proficiency portion still has to be completed in person, as required by Texas DPS.

Texas has reciprocity agreements with 37 other states, so your Texas LTC will be recognized well beyond state lines.

To qualify for a Texas License to Carry you must: be 18 or older; not have been convicted of a felony; not have been convicted of a Class A or B misdemeanor in the past 5 years; not be restricted by a protective or restraining order; have no active or pending charges; not be a chemically dependent person; be qualified under state and federal law to possess a handgun; be of sound mind; and not have been finally determined to be delinquent in child support obligations.

Active-duty military members or veterans with a range score or proof of firearms familiarization training dated within the past 10 years, state correctional officers, and county jailers who completed firearms training as part of their employment are exempt from the LTC shooting proficiency portion — they only need to complete the online classroom course.

You can instantly download your LTC-104 Certificate of Training as soon as you complete the course — this is the official proof-of-training document Texas DPS requires for your LTC application.

Level II is the entry-level security officer course. Texas DPS requires it for anyone applying for a Non-Commissioned Security Officer license, and it’s also the required first step for anyone working toward a Security Officer Commission (Level III). The course covers Texas security laws, professional responsibilities, emergency procedures, and ethics.

No. Level II is unarmed and doesn’t include any firearms training or qualification. It’s designed for entry-level, typically lower-risk security positions.

You’ll receive an official certificate of completion (PSP 36) after passing the course exam. Submit it with your application to Texas DPS for a Non-Commissioned Security License, or use it as your first step toward a Security Officer Commission.

Level III is required by Texas DPS for anyone seeking a Security Officer Commission (an armed security license) and is also required for Personal Protection Officers. It builds on Level II with more advanced training that prepares you for armed security and executive protection roles.

The online portion is Part 1 of Level III. After completing it, you’ll need to complete Level III Part 2 in person, which covers defensive tactics, firearms handling, and a firearms proficiency exam. That exam is very similar to the LTC range test, except Level III students can also choose to qualify with a shotgun.

You’ll receive a certificate of completion (PSP 30). To apply for your Security Officer Commission, Texas DPS requires copies of both your Level II and Level III certificates, along with the other commission application requirements.

Level IV isn’t a general “advanced” security level — Texas DPS requires it specifically for anyone applying for a Personal Protection Officer (bodyguard) license. It’s a minimum 15-classroom-hour course taught by a DPS-approved personal protection instructor, in addition to the Level II and Level III training every commissioned officer completes.

Yes. Texas DPS requires Personal Protection Officer applicants to be at least 21 years old, hold (or apply for) a Security Officer Commission, complete the Level IV course through an approved instructor, and complete a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) evaluation confirming they aren’t disqualified for a mental health reason.

No. You are not required to be sprayed as part of this course — no federal or state law requires you to undergo exposure to OC.

Under Texas Penal Code §46.05 a chemical dispensing device is a prohibited weapon, and it is a defense to prosecution that the person is a security officer who completed training approved by the Texas Private Security Board (or provided by TCOLE). That approved training is this course. Note that this training is approved only for officers who have already completed Level III — a Level II (non-commissioned) licence on its own is not sufficient, because the Level III defensive tactics and use-of-force units supply the required background.

The course has two parts: an online portion covering legal compliance, safety and deployment, and employer authorization requirements, followed by a short in-person Part 2 (usually 5–10 minutes). You’ll receive a Pepper Spray Training Certificate (PSP PSC) after completing both parts.

Yes. We offer an online renewal course for commissioned officers and Personal Protection Officers renewing a Level III or Level IV license. It refreshes firearms safety, defensive tactics, and legal updates and meets Texas DPS renewal requirements. As with the original course, in-person firearms qualification is required separately after the online portion, and you’ll receive a renewal certificate (PSP 31).

Commissioned security officers and Personal Protection Officers must complete 6 hours of continuing education by completing the renewal portion of the Level III or Level IV course (as applicable) through a DPS-approved school, and must submit a current firearms proficiency certificate with their renewal application.

No. Texas DPS specifically exempts non-commissioned security officers from continuing education requirements.

Yes — we also offer NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Basic Rifle, NRA CCW, NRA Personal Protection In and Outside the Home, NRA Range Safety Officer, and OC (pepper spray) certification classes.

Yes. Texas Occupations Code §1702.221 requires that to perform any activity regulated by Chapter 1702 an individual must obtain the proper individual licence and be employed by a company licence holder. Both parts matter — a licence alone does not let you work independently.

Under 37 TAC §35.141(a): Level II is required for anyone applying for a non-commissioned security officer licence, and is the first step toward a commission. Level III is required for a security officer commission and for a personal protection officer licence. Level IV is required for a personal protection officer licence and consists of a minimum of fifteen classroom hours. Level IV is not a senior version of Level III — it is the bodyguard specialisation.

75%. 37 TAC §35.144(c): "The passing grade of all examinations shall be a minimum of 75% correct answers." Note this is higher than the 70% used for a Texas License to Carry.

You can add one. 37 TAC §35.146 requires a commissioned officer who has a shotgun available in the performance of duties to demonstrate proficiency with a shotgun course of fire: nine rounds of nine-pellet "00" buckshot — three at fifteen yards in twelve seconds, three at ten yards in ten seconds, three at five yards in ten seconds. Renewal requires a biennial familiarisation of six rounds.

Only with approved training. Texas Penal Code §46.05(a)(3) makes a chemical dispensing device a prohibited weapon. §46.01(14) excludes "a small chemical dispenser sold commercially for personal protection", so a consumer keychain spray is not covered. §46.05(f) provides a defense to prosecution for a security officer who received training from a program provided by TCOLE or approved by the Texas Private Security Board, and §46.05(g) extends that to both commissioned and registered non-commissioned officers. In practice DPS approves the pepper spray course only as a supplement to Level III, so Level III comes first.

Texas Occupations Code §1702.204 requires an applicant to be at least 21 and to provide: a certificate of completion of the basic security officer training course; proof of a security officer commission; proof of employment by a licensed investigations or guard company; proof of completing the required training in nonlethal self-defense or defense of a third person; and the results of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory psychological testing.

Fifteen hours, and no. §1702.205 establishes "a 15-hour course for a personal protection officer consisting of training in nonlethal self-defense or defense of a third person", and states that the training "must be provided in-person" and is in addition to the basic training course for security officers.

§1702.206(a) limits it to when the officer is engaged in the exclusive performance of PPO duties for the employer under whom the licence was issued, or travelling to or from the place of assignment — and the officer must carry the security officer commission and PPO licence and present them on request.

It depends on the uniform, and it catches people out. §1702.206(b): a PPO wearing a security officer uniform may not conceal the firearm and must carry it in plain view. A PPO not in uniform must conceal it.

Depends on what you hold. 37 TAC §35.161(g): commissioned security officers and personal protection officers complete 6 hours of continuing education by completing the renewal portions of the Level III or Level IV course, and commissioned officers must submit a firearms proficiency certificate with the renewal application. §35.161(b) specifically exempts non-commissioned security officers from continuing education.

Possibly not all of it. 37 TAC §35.141(b): full-time peace officers certified by TCOLE may be exempted from the Level III requirement on submission of a sworn affidavit attesting to familiarity with the Act and rules. Those honorably retired as Texas peace officers within the preceding two years may be exempted from both Level II and Level III with proof of honorably retired status plus the affidavit.