Texas DPS launches its new LTC licensing platform October 1, 2026
If you’re planning to apply for a Texas License to Carry a Handgun, there’s an important change you need to know about.
Beginning October 1, 2026, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Regulatory Services Division is moving its LTC licensing services to a new online platform called RSD Connect (Texas DPS announcement).
What Is RSD Connect?
RSD Connect is the Texas DPS online licensing platform for Regulatory Services programs.
For LTC customers, DPS says the platform will allow users to:
- Apply for an LTC
- Renew an LTC
- Check license status
LTC instructors will also use the platform to create and manage handgun licensing courses (Texas DPS announcement).
Does RSD Connect Change the LTC Training Requirement?
No—not simply because the licensing platform is changing.
RSD Connect is the system used to interact with DPS for licensing.
The required LTC training and handgun proficiency components remain separate parts of the licensing process.
For students completing the classroom portion online, DPS continues to require 1–2 hours of range instruction and a handgun proficiency demonstration with a Texas Qualified LTC Instructor. DPS also notes that the range instruction and proficiency demonstration can be completed before the online classroom portion (DPS Training Requirements FAQ).
What Should a New Applicant Do?
Think of your process in two stages.
STAGE 1 — TRAINING
Complete:
- Required classroom instruction
- Written examination
- Range instruction
- Handgun proficiency demonstration
STAGE 2 — LICENSING
Complete:
- DPS application through the current system
- Fingerprinting
- Required documentation
- DPS review
The training provider and DPS have different roles.
What Is NOT Changing?
The October 1 transition should not be confused with a complete rewrite of the Texas LTC program.
The underlying LTC eligibility requirements and required training remain governed by Texas law and Texas DPS regulations. DPS administers the Handgun Licensing Program under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter H (DPS Handgun Licensing Overview).
DPS continues to identify the following basic components for an original LTC applicant (DPS Licensing & Registration):
- Submit an application
- Pay the applicable fee
- Complete required training
- Complete the required handgun proficiency demonstration
- Complete fingerprinting as directed
- Provide required supporting documentation
- Satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements
Texas DPS also continues to state that first-time applicants must complete four to six hours of classroom training, pass a written examination, and pass a proficiency demonstration (shooting) (DPS Application FAQs).
Will I Need Supporting Documents?
Depending on your individual circumstances, DPS may require additional documentation.
For example, certain applicants may need to provide documentation related to lawful presence, residency, military status, special conditions, or other eligibility considerations (DPS Special Conditions).
Do not assume that every applicant will have exactly the same documentation requirements.
Follow the instructions provided by DPS for your individual application.
What Happened to the Previous System?
Texas DPS scheduled a transition period while licensing data moved from the previous Texas.gov-based online service to RSD Connect.
DPS stated that September 12, 2026 was the last day to submit an application before the transition and September 14 was the last day to submit supporting documents for an existing application.
DPS stated that beginning October 1, 2026, users can visit the DPS website to log in to the new licensing platform, and LTC applications will resume (Texas DPS announcement).
What About Older LTC Instructions Online?
Be careful.
Texas LTC procedures have changed over time.
One particularly important example involves training documentation.
Older information may reference:
LTC-100
LTC-101
Those forms were discontinued effective April 14, 2025.
Current documentation:
LTC-104 Handgun Training Certificate
DPS specifically states that LTC-100 and LTC-101 were discontinued effective April 14, 2025, and that forms issued before that date remain valid for two years from the date of completion (DPS Instructor Updates). The current LTC Handgun Training Certificate is the LTC-104 (DPS Forms).
If you encounter an older article or video telling you to use an LTC-100 or LTC-101 for a current application, verify the information with DPS before relying on it.
Can Yasuke Arms Submit My DPS Application?
No.
Yasuke Arms provides training.
Texas DPS administers the licensing program and makes the licensing determination.
We can explain the training process and help students understand what they need to accomplish, but we cannot approve an LTC application.
Can Yasuke Arms Guarantee My LTC?
No.
No training provider should promise that DPS will approve a student’s application.
Eligibility and licensing decisions belong to Texas DPS (DPS Handgun Licensing Overview).
What If I Have a Problem With RSD Connect?
Start with Texas DPS’s current instructions and customer-support resources (DPS Regulatory Services Division).
Because the system is new, applicants should rely on current DPS information rather than older instructions for the previous platform.
Yasuke Arms can help explain the training side of your LTC journey, but technical or licensing issues involving your DPS account should be addressed through DPS.
The Bottom Line
The October 1, 2026 change is important—but don’t confuse a new application platform with a completely new LTC training program.
Your journey remains:
Understand eligibility
↓
Complete training
↓
Complete handgun proficiency
↓
Apply through DPS
↓
Complete fingerprinting
↓
Provide required documentation
↓
DPS review
↓
License decision
And now the DPS licensing portion moves to RSD Connect.
Train with Purpose. Protect with Honor.
Ready to Start Your Texas LTC Training?
The Yasuke Arms Online LTC course covers the classroom portion and written examination, so you can complete it from home.
After the online portion, you’ll still need to complete the required range instruction and handgun proficiency demonstration with a DPS-certified LTC Handgun Instructor. Yasuke Arms offers this in person, or you may choose any DPS-certified LTC Handgun Instructor. You may also complete the range portion before the online classroom.
DPS Official Resources
- DPS announcement: RSD Connect launch
- DPS Handgun Licensing
- DPS Application FAQs
- DPS Training Requirements FAQ
- DPS Handgun Licensing Forms
- DPS Instructor Updates
Important Information Notice
This article is provided for educational purposes and is not legal advice. Texas Department of Public Safety is the licensing authority and determines eligibility and licensing decisions. Texas laws, administrative rules, fees, forms, and DPS procedures may change. Always verify current requirements directly with Texas DPS.
Last verified: September 30, 2026
