State Reciprocity Information

September 11, 2020

Definitions

  • Reciprocal: States that recognize each other's handgun license either by agreement or statute.
  • Unilateral: One state recognizes another state's valid license to carry a handgun.

Note

  • The laws on carrying a handgun vary from state to state.  License holders are responsible for knowing and following the laws of the state in which they are carrying.
  • The agreements or statutes that govern reciprocity vary and should be carefully reviewed before carrying pursuant to such agreement or statute.
StateStatusDescriptionLink
AlabamaReciprocal

Effective August 8, 2006, Governor Perry proclaimed persons with a valid Alabama license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

Effective August 1, 2013, Alabama Governor Robert J. Bentley signed Senate Bill 286, Act 2013-283 legislation recognizing handgun permits issued to residents of the issuing state who are 21 years of age, may carry in Alabama.

Proclamation

Alabama Law
13A-11-85
Recognition
AlaskaReciprocalEffective September 26, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Commissioner William Tandeske of the Alaska Department of Public Safety proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Alaska.Agreement
American SamoaNo Agreement  
ArizonaReciprocalEffective September 7, 1999, Texas Colonel Dudley M. Thomas, Director of the Department of Public Safety, and Arizona's Joe Albo, Director of the Department of Public Safety, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Arizona.Agreement
ArkansasReciprocalEffective January 27, 1998, Texas Colonel Dudley M. Thomas, Director of the Department of Public Safety, and Arkansas Colonel John R. Bailey, Director of the Department of Public Safety, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Arkansas.Agreement
CaliforniaUnilateral

Effective November 18, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid California license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in California.

Proclamation
ColoradoReciprocal

Effective December 29, 2004, Texas Governor Rick Perry proclaimed persons with a valid Colorado license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas

Effective May 17, 2007, the Governor of Colorado signed Senate Bill 34 recognizing handgun permits issued to residents of the issuing state, who are 21 years of age, may carry in Colorado.

Proclamation

Colorado Law
18-12-213
State Reciprocity List
Recognition
ConnecticutUnilateral

Effective April 29, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Connecticut license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in Connecticut.

Proclamation
DelawareReciprocalEffective November 1, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Delaware State Prosecutor Steven P. Wood proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Delaware.Agreement
District of ColumbiaNo Agreement  
FloridaReciprocalEffective August 28, 2000, Texas Governor George W. Bush and John M. Russi, Director of the Florida Division of Licensing, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Florida.Agreement
GeorgiaReciprocalEffective November 22, 2004, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Georgia Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Georgia.Agreement
GuamNo Agreement  
HawaiiUnilateral

Effective January 13, 2006, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Hawaii license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in Hawaii.

Proclamation
IdahoReciprocalEffective August 6, 2004, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General of Idaho, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Idaho.Agreement
IllinoisUnilateral

Effective April 29, 2016, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Illinois license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in Illinois.

Proclamation
IndianaReciprocal

Effective November 2, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Indiana license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

Indiana Statute IC 35-47-2-21b grants recognition of valid handgun licenses issued by other states as long as holder is not a resident of Indiana, may carry in Indiana.

Proclamation

Indiana Law
35-47-2-21
Recognition

IowaReciprocal

Effective April 14, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Iowa license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

Effective January 1, 2011, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed legislation recognizing valid handgun permits issued to residents of the issuing state who are 21 years of age, may carry in Iowa.

Proclamation

Iowa Law
724.11A
Recognition

KansasReciprocal

Effective January 30, 2007, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Kansas license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

Effective July 1, 2021, Kansas statutory amendment (K.S.A.) 75-7c03 provides recognition for a person with a valid Texas license to carry a handgun, may carry in Kansas.

Proclamation

Kansas Law
75-7c03
Recognition

KentuckyReciprocalEffective August 17, 2000, Texas Colonel Thomas A. Davis, Jr., Director of the Department of Public Safety, and Kentucky's Ishmon F. Burks, Jr., Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Kentucky.Agreement
LouisianaReciprocalEffective October 5, 1998, Texas Governor George W. Bush and W.R."Rut" Whittington, Louisiana Deputy Secretary of the Department of Public Safety, and Corrections, Public Safety Services, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Louisiana.Agreement
MaineNo Agreement  
MarylandUnilateral

Effective November 18, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Maryland license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in Maryland.

Proclamation
MassachusettsUnilateral

Effective November 18, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Massachusetts license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in Massachusetts.

Proclamation
MichiganReciprocalEffective September 21, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Michigan.Agreement
MinnesotaUnilateralMinnesota’s recognition of Texas LTC is unilateral: Minnesota handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in Texas.  
Effective April 29, 2025, Minnesota recognized Texas license to carry a handgun in the State of Minnesota.
Website
MississippiReciprocalEffective August 25, 2004, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Commissioner Dewitt L. Fortenberry, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Mississippi.Agreement
MissouriReciprocal

Effective September 6, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing person with a valid Missouri license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

The Missouri Constitution, Article 1, §23 provides recognition for a person with a valid Texas handgun license, may carry in Missouri. 

Proclamation

Missouri Law
Article 1, §§23
State Reciprocity List
Recognition
MontanaReciprocalEffective November 29, 2004, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Montana.Agreement
NebraskaReciprocal

Effective February 16, 2007, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Nebraska license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

Effective August 30, 2009, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning authorized recognition of handgun permits issued to residents of the issuing state, who are 21 years of age or older, may carry in Nebraska.

Proclamation

Nebraska Law
69-2448
Nebraska State Patrol State List
Recognition
NevadaReciprocal

Effective March 24, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Nevada license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

Effective October 1, 2015, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval signed legislation recognizing handgun permits issued to residents of the issuing state, who are 21 years of age (Effective July 1, 2016), may carry in Nevada.

Proclamation

Nevada Law
202.369
Recognition
New HampshireNo Agreement  
New JerseyUnilateral

Effective November 18, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid New Jersey license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in New Jersey.

Proclamation
New MexicoReciprocalEffective June 22, 2012, Texas Governor Rick Perry and New Mexico Department of Public Secretary Cabinet Secretary Gorden E. Eden Jr. proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and New Mexico.Agreement
New YorkUnilateral

Effective January 13, 2006, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid New York license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in New York.

Proclamation
North CarolinaReciprocalEffective April 19, 2004, Texas Governor Rick Perry and North Carolina Special Deputy Attorney General John J. Aldridge III proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and North Carolina.Agreement
North DakotaReciprocal

Effective February 4, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid North Dakota license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

North Dakota Century Code (statute) Title 62.1, Section 62.1-04-03.1 provides recognition for a person with a valid Texas license to carry a handgun may carry in North Dakota.

Proclamation

North Dakota
§62.1-04-03.1
Recognition

Northern Mariana IslandsNo Agreement  
OhioReciprocalEffective April 28, 2015, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Ohio.Agreement
OklahomaReciprocalEffective October 5, 1998, Texas Colonel Dudley M. Thomas, Director of the Department of Public Safety, and Ron Young, Criminalistic Administrator of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Oklahoma.Agreement
OregonNo Agreement  
PennsylvaniaReciprocalEffective April 16, 2018, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Pennsylvania Chief Deputy Attorney General Amy M. Elliott proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Pennsylvania.Agreement
Puerto RicoNo Agreement  
Rhode IslandUnilateral

Effective January 13, 2006, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Rhode Island license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in Rhode Island.

Proclamation
South CarolinaReciprocalEffective February 23, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Chief Robert M. Stewart of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and South Carolina.Agreement
South DakotaReciprocal

Effective September 6, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid South Dakota license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

The South Dakota Codified Law, Chapter 23-7, 7.4 (23-7-7.4) provides recognition for a person with a valid Texas license to carry a handgun may carry in South Dakota.

Proclamation

South Dakota Law
23-7-7.4
Recognition

TennesseeReciprocal

Effective August 17, 2000, Texas Governor George W. Bush signed a proclamation recognizing person with a valid Tennessee license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

The Tennessee Code Unannotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, §51 provides recognition for a person with a valid Texas license to carry a handgun may carry in Tennessee.

Proclamation

Tennessee Law
39-17-1351(r)(3)(A)
State Reciprocity List
Recognition

UtahReciprocalEffective August 30, 2004, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Commissioner Robert L. Flowers of the Utah Department of Public Safety proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Utah.Agreement
U.S. Virgin IslandsNo Agreement  
VermontNo Agreement  
VirginiaReciprocalEffective September 7, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Virginia.Agreement
WashingtonUnilateral

Effective November 18, 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a proclamation recognizing persons with a valid Washington license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas.

This proclamation is unilateral; Texas handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in Washington.

Proclamation
West VirginiaReciprocalEffective February 21, 2012, Texas Governor Rick Perry and West Virginia Attorney General Darrell V. McGraw Jr. proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and West Virginia.Agreement
WisconsinUnilateral

This recognition is unilateral; Wisconsin handgun license holders will not be allowed to carry in Texas.

The State of Wisconsin recognizes handgun permits issued to residents of the issuing state, who are 21 years of age or older, may carry in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Law
§§165.25(16), 175.60(l)(f)
State Reciprocity List
 
WyomingReciprocalEffective June 27, 2002, Texas Colonel Thomas A. Davis, Jr., Director of the Department of Public Safety, and Wyoming's Bryan A. Skoric, Senior Assistant Attorney General, proclaimed persons with a valid license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas and Wyoming.Agreement