Instructor Updates

September 20, 2020

2025 Instructor Recertification Notice

This year, the LTC Handgun Instructor recertification will be online. We will deliver the exam and materials via email. When you have been recertified, your updated certificate will be delivered electronically via email.

The recertification period will begin on July 1, 2025, and end on December 31, 2025.

To complete the process, you will need to submit:

  • Instructor Recertification Application (available online 07/01/2025)
  • LTC-90 Form (Instructor Supplemental Information)
  • Firearms Instructor Certificate
  • LTC-104 (Handgun Proficiency Demonstration portion only. Must be completed with another LTC Handgun Instructor. TCOLE instructor will not satisfy requirement.) 

You may submit these documents via email to: RSD_LRS_LTC@dps.texas.gov

Online Course Providers: Your OCP Certificate will not automatically be recertified with the completion of your LTC Handgun Instructor recertification. You must mail the LTC-91A (Online Course Provider Renewal Application) with a fee of $100 to:

Texas Department of Public Safety 
Regulatory Services Division (MSC 0245)
P.O. Box 15888
Austin, Texas 78761-5888

School Safety and First Responder Instructors: Your School Safety and/or First Responder Certificate will be automatically recertified upon completion of your LTC Handgun Instructor Certification. Once you successfully recertify, we will generate and send these certificates to you electronically via email.

Additional recertification information:

  • School Safety and First Responder Instructor certifications remain valid as long as your LTC Handgun Instructor certification is up to date and continuously renewed prior to expiration.
  • The handgun proficiency demonstration portion must be conducted with another LTC Handgun Instructor only. Any other handgun proficiency demonstration forms will be rejected.
  • This recertification is for your LTC Instructor Certificate(s) and will not renew your personal LTC.
  • Please direct all questions regarding your recertification to RSD_LRS_LTC@dps.texas.gov

LTC Handgun Training Certificates

Effective April 14, 2025, the LTC-100 and LTC-101 Handgun Training Certificates will be discontinued and removed from the DPS website. These forms have been replaced by the LTC-104. 
LTC-100 and LTC-101 forms issued before April 14, 2025, are valid for two years from the date of completion.


First Responder Instructor Certification

As a result of House Bill 1069, which became effective on September 1, 2021, the Department has established the First Responder Instructor Certification Course for certified LTC Instructors to provide First Responders (who hold an LTC and desire to carry a handgun on duty) classroom instruction as well as field instruction and proficiency demonstrations.

The instructor course consists of 28 hours of classroom instruction in self-defense, de-escalation techniques, tactical thinking and shooting, among other items.  After successful completion of this course, the LTC instructor will receive a certificate for the training course.

Renewal training is NOT required. The First Responder Instructor Certification is renewed at the same time the LTC Instructor Certification is renewed.

Certified LTC Instructors must submit an LTC-71 (application) to attend the three-day training course. The training will be in-person at the DPS Tactical Training Center located in Florence, Texas.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an intermediate to advanced course where statute requires physical demonstrations of proficiency including the ability to move to various shooting positions and to stand for an extended period of time. It also includes tactical shooting, shooting while moving, and shooting in low light conditions. In order to pass the course you must be able to appropriately demonstrate these physical requirements to your trainer.   

Follow the instructions listed below to apply for a First Responder Instructor Certification.

Steps To Apply

Step 1: Apply

  • Download the LTC-71 First Responder Certification Instructor Application.
  • There is no application fee to attend this course. 

Step 2:  Submit Application

Step 3: Course Training/Waitlist

  • Once your application has been reviewed and a course date is available, you will receive an Invitation email.  At this time, you can sign up for the course. Please read the email carefully and follow all instructions and carefully read the important information. If a course date is NOT available, you will be placed on a “Waitlist."  When a course date becomes available, you will receive an invitation email. It is important to remember that seating is limited because this is a "specialized training course." Therefore, the wait time to attend the course is longer than normal.
  • Once you have been assigned a course date, you will receive a Confirmation email with your course date, time, local hotels, map, and other important information.  Be sure to carefully read all the attachments.

Step 4: Certificate Issuance

  • Once all certification requirements are met, a First Responder Instructor Certificate will be emailed to the email address on file along with the course materials password.

Required documents for First Responder Instructors

  • None.

Other Delivery Methods

  • None.