Eligibility & How to start.
Texas CHL Eligibility
To be eligible for a Texas Concealed Handgun License, you:
- Must be a legal resident of Texas, or apply for a non-resident license
- Must be at least 21, unless active duty or honorably discharged from the military, then at least 18
- Must not ever have been convicted of a FELONY
- Must not be currently charged with a Class A or Class B MISDEMEANOR or FELONY
- Must not be chemically dependent, including alcohol
- Must be capable of exercising sound judgment
- Must not have been convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor, or a disorderly conduct, in the past 5 years
- Must be fully qualified under federal and state laws to purchase a handgun
- Must not be delinquent in any payments to the state of Texas, including child support and property taxes
- Must not be restricted by a protective or restraining order involving a person
- Must not have been convicted of a felony grade juvenile delinquent conduct in the previous 10 years
If you have questions about your eligibility status, contact the DPS helpline at 1-800-224-5744 or email:
chl@txdps.state.tx.us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
DPS will NOT refund your application fee if you are found to be not eligible for the license.
There are two ways to start the process:
1) You can start the on-line
application with the DPS. To do this you need the following.
· Social security number,
· Valid driver license or identification card,
· Current demographic, address, contact, and employment information,
· Residential and employment information for the last five years (new users only),
· Information regarding any psychiatric, drug, alcohol, or criminal history (new users only),
· Valid email address, and
Valid credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express) ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
Then contact me and sign up to take a class. If you are unsure about the online process, and would like some assistance, I will be glad to help you with the online application.
2) You can call or email me and I will get you the forms and information you need, and help you fill them out to send into the state, and I will get you signed up for a class.
Registration for class must be done in advance of attendance.
Note: The state is encouraging instructors and applicants alike to use the online services as much as possible. This is not mandatory yet, but it looks like it will be in the future.
