Between the refineries, the ship channel, and the daily grind of the greater Houston area, Pasadena residents don’t always have a free afternoon to sit through an in-person firearms class. ETXSTA solves that by putting the entire classroom portion of the Texas License to Carry course online, so you can work through it whenever your schedule actually allows.
Permitless Carry Doesn’t Make an LTC Pointless
Texas lets most adults carry a handgun without a license, so it’s a fair question: why bother getting an LTC at all? Here’s why a lot of Pasadena residents still do it:
- Recognition in 37 other states when you’re traveling outside Texas
- No federal background check (NICS) required when buying a firearm from a dealer
- Certain legal protections and advantages specific to license holders
- The ability to carry in some places where permitless carry isn’t recognized
Who Meets the Requirements?
State law lays out a specific set of qualifications for anyone applying for a Texas LTC. An applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have no felony conviction on record
- Have no Class A or Class B misdemeanor conviction within the past five years
- Not currently be restricted by a protective or restraining order
- Not have any active or pending criminal charges
- Not be a chemically dependent person
- Meet state and federal requirements to legally possess a handgun
- Be of sound mind
- Not be finally determined delinquent on child support payments
What the Course Actually Involves
ETXSTA’s LTC course breaks down into a self-paced online module and a hands-on range session.
Online Coursework
You’ll cover Texas firearm law, when deadly force is legally justified, safe handling and storage practices, how to de-escalate conflict without violence, and what to expect if you interact with police while carrying. Finish the material and your LTC-104 Certificate of Training — the state’s official proof-of-training document — is ready to download immediately.
Range Qualification
Next, you’ll schedule time with a certified instructor in Pasadena or a nearby location to shoot the state-mandated course of fire:
- 3 yards – 20 rounds
- 7 yards – 20 rounds
- 15 yards – 10 rounds
A passing score is 70% or better across the 50-round course of fire. If you don’t pass on your first try, you’re not out of luck — applicants get up to three attempts to pass both the written and range exams within a 12-month window. Just remember that certificates are only valid for two years, and yours needs to still be current when you submit your LTC application to DPS.
If you’re active-duty military or a veteran with a qualifying range score or firearms familiarization training within the last decade, a state correctional officer, or a county jailer who trained on the job, you may be exempt from the range portion and only need to complete the online course.
ETXSTA Serves Pasadena and Beyond
East Texas Security Training Academy built this course for people who work full-time schedules and don’t have room for an all-day classroom session. Complete the material online, then finish with a range day near Pasadena.