Texas Concealed Carry Permit Information

Click here to view the Texas Concealed Carry Permit Map at the bottom of the page.

If you would like to contribute to this page, please post the information in the State Forums.

Concealed Permit:
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents

Example Permit:

Issuing Authority:
Texas Department of Public Safety

NICS check: Yes

Cost:
For most Texans, the license will cost $140. But for senior citizens or indigent Texans, the cost is only $70. For active/honorably retired peace officers or active/retired judicial officers, the cost is $25. For elected felony prosecuting attorneys, fee is waived.

Requirements:
To qualify for a Texas CHL you must:
1. Be 21 years old. (Members and former members of the armed forces must be 18.)
2. Have a clean criminal history, including military service and recent juvenile records.
3. Not be under a protective order.
4. Not be chemically dependent.
5. Not be of unsound mind.
6. Not be delinquent in paying fines, fees, child support, student loans, etc.
7. Be eligible to purchase a handgun by completing the NICS check.
8. Complete required training.

More information on the specifics of qualifying are available on the Texas Department of Public Safety site.

Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:
If a license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder’s person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the license holder display identification, the license holder shall display both the license holder’s driver’s license or identification certificate issued by the department and the license holder’s handgun license. So basically if the LEO asks for your ID, go ahead and give him both.

Automobile carry:
A persons’ own premises or premises under their control, including in their motor vehicle. (Handguns in a vehicle must be concealed.)

Places off-limits when carrying:
Handguns and other weapons cannot be carried at schools or on school buses, at polling places, in courts and court offices, at racetracks, at secured airport areas or within 1,000 feet of the premises of an execution on the day of execution. The law also specifically prohibits handguns from businesses where alcohol is sold if more than half of their revenue is from the sale of alcohol for on premises consumption, and from locations where high school, college, or professional sporting events are taking place. You man not carry handguns in hospitals or nursing homes, amusement parks, places of worship or at government meeting if signs are posted prohibiting them. Businesses also may post signs prohibiting handguns on their premises based on criminal trespass laws. See Texas Penal Code 46.032. (Judges, prosecuting attorneys, peace officers and parole offices should consult Texas Penal Code 46.15 regarding exemptions from the “no-carry” rules of the Penal Code.)

Alcohol and Drugs:
It is unlawful for a handgun license holder to carry a handgun while intoxicated.

Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:
Texas is a Castle Doctrine state with a stand-your-ground law.

 

Open Carry:
Prohibited in all public areas under most circumstances.

Localities with Varying Laws:

Forms:
Apply and Renew Online
Request For Application From

  • Bigsranch

    Strangely, while you are still required to show your CHL to LEO when asked, there is no penalty if you do not – as of Sept 2009.

    Many changes are in the legislature for 2011, including allowing campus carry, and carry at sporting events.

  • Paramedicjordan

    Needs to be updated. New laws have been changed

    • Pocketdrummer

      Such as?

      Also, to the guy below, the Campus Carry bill was squashed in the TX Congress primarily by Straus.

  • Hawg06softail

    I am going to fly to Austin soon. I have a valid NY CC permit as well as Utah non-resident permit. Do I need to notify or apply for permission to bring a handgun with me?

  • Mike

    MGilley327
    On a Houston gun talk show it was stated that Texas does not honor non-resident Utah permits any longer. Is that true or do you know if that is being looked at by the State.

  • Jerry A.

    You need to update this site.  For some time now the requirement “6. Not be delinquent in paying fines, fees, child support, student loans, etc.” is no longer required.  It was always unconstitutional but they removed this a couple of years ago.

    • Glockrepair

      the only thing that changed is the student loans…The other fees such as child support still must not be delinquent so make sure you know what you are talking about when you post..

  • Greg13

    Does anyone have a non-resident permit?? The first steps in applying online is your “texas drivers license number”.. obviously, a non resident wouldnt have this.

    Also, it asks for county or township you are applying for.. as a non-resident, it wouldnt matter..

    I tried the website and the help line.. both are not in service!

    thanks fellow gun lovers

  • MrNerfnee

    Be very careful when applying for a non-resident permit.  Texas just cost me $72 because it was NOT clear that the training MUST be conducted in Texas, and the fingerprints MUST be taken in Texas as required by Federal law.  The application fee is NON-REFUNDABLE, and I have a course from Wisconsin that Texas will NOT honor.  Gotta read the FINE print, and wade through the legasese.  Sign me disgrunteled.

  • Guest

    I just ETS’d out of the military and moved to Texas, was stationed in GA, I got a GA CCW while stationed there does Texas require me to obtain a Texas CHL once I become a Texas resident or can I continue to carry with my Georgia license?

    • TexasTemplar

      according to the reciprocity map, yes, Texas recognizes the GA CCW for Texas carry

  • http://www.facebook.com/nelson.swiger Nelson Swiger Jr.

    Because anyone can now carry a concealed weapon in their car, you do not have to show our CHL when you are asked for your lic. 

    • Ronsmith

      No, Texas does NOT require you show your CHL if asked for your drivers license.  However it isn’t a bad idea to display both licenses.  Once they run your license, they will know anyway.

      Before, it was required and if you failed to do so they could take your CHL away.  That has changed now.  Kind of a Catch 22 before as you could carry in your vehicle without a CHL, so why even bother to get one because they could in theory claim you didn’t show your license.  Now, it doesn’t matter.

      • emartin

        You must show your permit if stopped only if you are carrying. If the police ask you for your DL and you are carrying then that is when you MUST show your CHL.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1723932562 Joseph Martin

        Don’t know where you got that information, but yes you do have to show your chl if your carrying even if not on your body. And if your ok with just carrying in your car then no you don’t need a chl. But the point of a chl is to carry on your person at all times to have readily available because you may not be in you may not be in your vehicle when you need it most.

  • Mikey Jr.

    I have a NC CHP i am moving to TX in a couple months. Do anyone know if i have to wait the 6 months before i can switch my CHP over from NC to TX.

    • Tman54321

      no wait after residense change and obtaining Texas DL  you will have to take  classroom instruction Shooting test and prints /photos and send app to state

  • Guest

    Looks like the info is correct on Texas Permits honored, but the colors are reversed.  Red States on this map are states that DO NOT Honor Texas Permits.  The legend incorrectly shows Red as States that Honor Rexas Permits.  Anyway, I neither buy, shop, nor do business with such states, or buinesses located in them if I can avoid it.  Good site here though. 

  • Ksrh1822

    If I have my CHL permit for NC and I’m moving to TX, do I have to take the 8 hour class over again or it that transferable?

    • Tman54321

      YES

      • Tman54321

        yes to class  NON-Transferrable  All parts must be completed in texas

  • jlo0718

     can i  carry concealed in Texas with a Virginia Non-Resident Concealed Handgun
    License?

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/JF767RK7XTDJS6PBXWGKHFHM6Y Elias

      I’m from Texas, can I apply to carry a Florida concealed hand gun permit/licenses for   seven (7) years.  seven (7) years.
     I’m from Texas, can I apply to carry a Florida concealed hand gun permit/licenses for   seven (7) years.
      seven (7) years.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/JF767RK7XTDJS6PBXWGKHFHM6Y Elias

    I’m from Texas, can I apply to carry a Florida concealed hand gun permit/licenses for   seven (7) years.

  • HisMrs2008

    If i get an Oklahoma permit, does Texas honor that, or do i have to get another for Texas? My husband is active duty military, our home of record is Oklahoma but he is stationed in Texas.

  • graham

    im in the army stationed in korea going to be stationed in texas how do i apply for a ccw permit how do i get fingprints to send in

  • Uplandhunter333

    If I get a concealed carry permit in Texas using a revolver in class can I then carry a semi-auto such as a Ruger LCP or must I use a semi- auto to be able to carry one?

    • http://www.facebook.com/rose.bolt.5 Rose Bolt

      No. You must certify with a semi-auto to carry a semi-auto. Now, you CAN certify with a semi-auto and carry a revolver, but NOT the other way around.

    • Kool Bear

      What is category on your license? SA or NSA
      NSA= only handguns that are not semi-automatic
      SA= all handguns, whether semi-automatic or not

    • annoyinglittletwerp

      If you qualify on a revolver, then revolvers are all you can carry unless you re-qualify using a semi. My CHL is NSA.

    • FAST DFW

      If you qualify with a revolver, then you can only carry a revolver. The CHL is then issued as a NSA or “non Semi Automatic” license. If you qualify with a semi-auto, you can carry either a semi-auto or a revolver. Best way to go is qualify with a semi-auto, get your SA CHL, then carry whatever you want.

  • clifford

    I have a mi ccw does it transfer over to a tx ccw or do I need to go to class again

  • Eric

    I have read all of the below but am still confused on my situation. I own 2 houses, 1 in Oklahoma and 1 in Texas. I am in the process of getting a Texas driver’s license and making my primary residence Texas. I currently have an Oklahoma carry permit. Will i have to get a Texas carry permit or since I am also a “resident” of Oklahoma, just keep my Oklahoma permit valid? Thanks.

  • rhino2104

    I heard that you do not need to complete the required training if you were active duty military. I was wondering if this was true and if veterans that recently ETS’d from the military were covered under this as well or if veterans would need to complete the required training.

  • Jesus

    If I get a license in Texas, will Colorado recognize it if I’m not a permanent resident of Colorado?

  • greg dorrell

    what is considered a clean criminal history i thought as long as youve never been convicted of a felony you could get one

  • e l n

    i have a Fla cow if i was visiting Texas can i carry conceal

  • Rick

    I move to Texas in 2008. I have a CCl from Idaho and want to re-New in Texas, what is the proceedure to do so?

  • http://www.facebook.com/txchevy86 Bethanie Mixon Larson

    I have moved back to Texas from Tennessee but have obtained a carry permit while in Tennessee. Will this transfer to Texas, meaning will I have to take the class again or just beable to pay fees to have Texas permit issued

  • Txchevy

    I have moved back to Texas from Tennessee but have obtained a carry permit while in Tennessee. Will this transfer to Texas, meaning will I have to take the class again or just beable to pay fees to have Texas permit issued

  • V8

    Looks to me all these laws are designed specifically to discourage people from even thinking about guns so much red tape…

  • Marshall1911

    I do not have my TX CHL yet but plan on traveling to the casino in oklahoma. Can I legally have the pistol in my car once I cross into the oklahoma state line?

  • Texas Girl

    Does anyone know if I can Qualify in TX with a 32 pistol? I am getting conflicting information from two different CCL Schools here! One says 32 minimum, the other says 380 minimum.

    • annoyinglittletwerp

      A .32 is the minimum. I qualified w/ a .38 Special.

  • JOhn

    Is a Texas non-resident permit required along with the reciprocity agreement with Virginia?

  • DJ

    +
    Flag as inappropriate

    If I have a Colorado Permit, but move to Texas do I have to change my permit?