How Much Does The Texas LTC Cost?
The standard Texas LTC fee is $40. Several groups qualify for a discount or pay nothing at all, as listed below. The Texas LTC cost is set by state law, so it is the same no matter where you apply. This state license fee is separate from the class fee you will pay when you take the required course. Class fees vary by instructor because each instructor sets their own price.
Texas LTC Cost
Your state fee depends on your status. A first-time (original) license is valid for four years, and each renewal is valid for five years. State fees are nonrefundable. Here are the most common fees for an original license and a renewal:
- Standard: $40 original, $40 renewal
- Senior citizen: $40 original, $35 renewal
- Indigent: $40 original, $35 renewal
- Honorably discharged veteran: $25 original, $25 renewal
- Active duty military and active Texas military members: $0
- Active Texas peace officer: $0
- Correctional officer employed by TDCJ: $0
- County jailer: $0
- Honorably retired Texas peace officer or retired federal officer: $0
- County clerk or district clerk: $0
- Juvenile probation officer or supervision officer: $25
- Active or retired judge: $25
There are a few more special categories, such as railroad peace officers and prosecuting attorneys. You can see every category on the official Texas DPS LTC fee table. If you qualify for a discount, you will upload supporting documents with your application.
Other Costs To Plan For
The $40 state fee is not the only cost of getting your license. You will also need to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting costs $10 plus a small processing fee, paid to IdentoGO, the state’s fingerprint vendor, when you book your appointment. You will also pay for the required LTC course. Our online LTC class is $49 and covers the classroom portion. After you finish it, you will complete the range instruction and shooting proficiency test with a qualified LTC instructor, so plan for range fees and ammunition if your instructor does not include them. For a standard applicant, the state fee, fingerprinting, and our online class add up to about $99 plus the fingerprint processing fee, before range costs. If you ever lose your license, a duplicate costs $25.
How To Pay The State Fee
The state license fee is paid online to the Texas Department of Public Safety when you submit your application. You can not apply for your license until you finish the course, your LTC course will walk you through the application process in detail. Once DPS has your complete application online, the law gives them up to 60 days to issue your license.
Renewing Your LTC
Renewing is simple. The standard renewal fee is $40, and there is no class or other training required to renew. You just apply online through DPS and submit any documents for a discounted fee. Staying current on changes in the law is up to you, so a refresher class is still a good idea.
Is The LTC Still Worth It With Permitless Carry?
Since September 2021, most adults 21 and older who can legally possess a handgun can carry in Texas without a license. The license has also become much more affordable, since the standard fee dropped from $140 to $40. For many people, the LTC is still well worth the money. Your Texas LTC is honored in many other states, so you can carry while you travel. Check the DPS reciprocity list before any trip, because agreements can change. License holders can also skip the NICS background check when buying a gun from a licensed dealer, and carrying on public college campuses requires a license. The license also gives you certain legal protections that unlicensed carriers do not have. Just as important, the class itself teaches you the laws on where you can carry and when deadly force is justified.