Initial course
Initial course and student readiness
A 28-hour, three-day intermediate-to-advanced course for small, private department classes. Participants must arrive ready.
Course at a glance
- Length
- 28 hours
- Schedule
- 3 days
- Class size
- 3–6 personnel
- Level
- Intermediate to advanced
- Location
- Your classroom and range
The course is built on the training course described in Texas Government Code §411.1883. That statute calls for classroom training, field instruction, and physical demonstrations of proficiency in the techniques learned.
What the course includes
Classroom
The statute lists classroom topics including self-defense, de-escalation techniques, tactical thinking about cover and concealment, secure carry of a concealed or openly carried handgun, and the consequences of improper use of a handgun. It also covers procedures for securing and storing a handgun where carrying is prohibited.
Range
- Instinctive or reactive shooting
- Tactical shooting
- Shooting while moving
- Low-light shooting
- Physical demonstrations of proficiency
Course-specific tactical content is taught in class and is not published here.
Prerequisites
- A current Texas License to Carry a Handgun.
- Sound handgun fundamentals and safe gun handling before day one. This is not a beginner course, and no class time is set aside for practice outside the prescribed drills or for zeroing a handgun.
- The physical ability to move between shooting positions and to stand for extended periods during drills.
- A department that has reviewed eligibility, policy, and insurance questions with its legal counsel.
Testing and pass marks
- Day 1 written pre-test
- 90% to continue
- Day 1 proficiency
- 90% to continue
- Day 3 post-test
- 90% to pass
These are the program’s pass marks. Participants who do not meet the day-one thresholds do not continue in the course. Send personnel who already shoot well.
Participant equipment checklist
Each participant brings the following. Departments receive this list again with their quote.
Handgun
- Handgun chambered in .38 / .380 or larger, in good working condition. A semi-automatic with at least a 10-round magazine capacity is strongly recommended.
- At least three magazines or two speed loaders.
- No optical sights (scopes, lasers, or holographic sights).
- Handguns are subject to instructor inspection before and during training, and are transported in a closed case or bag.
Ammunition
- A minimum of 400 rounds of appropriate training ammunition. Bringing extra is recommended.
Holster
- A belt or paddle holster that retains the handgun with a mechanism or enough friction to overcome gravity.
- No shoulder or cross-draw holsters, and no holsters released with the index (trigger) finger.
Handheld flashlight
- A duty-grade LED handheld light: at least 200 lumens (500 or more preferred), no longer than six inches, with a tail-cap switch.
- Spare batteries. If the light is rechargeable, bring a second light as a backup.
- A weapon-mounted light is optional; bring a holster that fits it.
Protection and range wear
- Over-the-ear hearing protection and eye protection (clear lenses required; tinted optional).
- Collared shirt, long pants, closed-toe footwear, and a brimmed cap.
- Inclement-weather gear appropriate to the season.
- A hand towel to rest handguns and ammunition on during qualification.
Range and classroom rules
- All range safety rules apply at all times. A safety violation results in immediate removal from the range and course failure.
- No family members, guests, or pets in the classroom or at the range.
- Course content includes material that is not shared publicly. Participants are asked not to share it outside the class.
Paperwork after the course
Course completion is documented on the current Texas DPS first-responder forms. DPS—not the program—issues the certificate of completion, and a certificate expires on the first anniversary of issuance.
- Within five business days of the class, the instructor reports each participant’s results to DPS (LTC-10).
- The instructor and participant complete the proof-of-training form (LTC-103).
- The participant emails LTC-103 to DPS with the certification application (LTC-103A) and official documentation of their first-responder status.
- DPS issues the certificate of completion, valid for one year.
- LTC-103 — First Responder Certificate of Training
- LTC-103A — Application for First Responder Student Certificate
- LTC-10 — Certification of First Responder Class Completion
Forms are published on the Texas DPS handgun licensing forms page .
Completing the course does not by itself establish legal authority to carry on duty. See Eligibility & Texas Law.
Plan private training for your department
Tell us about your department, your personnel, and your facilities. We will prepare a quote.