Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers for chiefs, training officers, administrators, and the personnel they send.
For departments
Do you hold public classes that individuals can sign up for?
No. Training is reserved privately by a department for its own personnel. There is no public calendar or individual registration. If you are an individual first responder, ask your chief, EMS director, or training officer to request a department quote.
Where is the training held?
At your facilities. The hiring department supplies an appropriate classroom and range, and we travel to you anywhere in Texas. We talk through classroom and range requirements when we plan your quote.
Does completing the course authorize our personnel to carry on duty?
Not by itself. Under current Texas law, on-duty carry by a first responder also depends on whether Local Government Code Chapter 179 applies to your municipality or county, a policy adopted by the employing or supervising department, a Texas License to Carry, an unexpired certificate of completion, and required liability insurance. We cannot make that determination for you. Confirm it with your legal counsel and current DPS materials. See Eligibility & Texas Law.
What does it cost?
Pricing is by quote. Cost depends on the course, class size, location, and scheduling. Request a department quote and we will prepare one for your purchasing process.
Which departments does the law apply to?
Local Government Code Chapter 179 applies only to a municipality with a population of 30,000 or less, or a county with a population of 250,000 or less, that has not adopted Chapter 174 (the fire and police collective-bargaining law). Whether it applies to your locality is a question for your legal counsel.
Are volunteer firefighters or EMS volunteers covered?
The Penal Code definition of “first responder” that these statutes use excludes volunteer emergency services personnel and EMS volunteers. Combination departments should review with counsel which personnel are covered before planning training.
How many people can attend?
An initial class runs with a minimum of three and a maximum of six personnel. Larger groups are scheduled as more than one class.
How often is training required?
Under current law a certificate of completion expires on the first anniversary of issuance, and the statute provides for an annual continuing education course of not more than 10 hours. Our continuing education session is 4 hours. Plan continuing education before certificates expire. See Annual Continuing Education.
Can you work with our purchasing process?
Yes. A W-9, certificate of insurance, vendor registration documentation, and purchase-order coordination can be arranged during quote and vendor setup. Tell us what your process needs on the quote form.
What insurance does the law require?
Chapter 179 requires a first responder to maintain liability insurance of at least $1 million if the first responder carries a handgun while on duty and the handgun is not an essential part of their duties. How that applies to your personnel is a question for your counsel and insurer.
Do you teach the Tactical Medical Professional course?
Yes. Government Code §411.1884, added in 2025, created a separate course for physicians and EMS personnel employed or appointed by a law enforcement agency to support its tactical unit. It is taught only by DPS-certified Tactical Medical Professional instructors. See Tactical Medical Professional.
Our tactical medics are fire or EMS personnel. Which course applies?
It depends on their role. The Tactical Medical Professional course is for personnel employed or otherwise appointed by the head of a law enforcement agency to support that agency’s tactical unit, and its statute has no population limit or Chapter 179 requirement. Armed First Responder covers on-duty fire and EMS personnel of covered municipalities and counties. Which one fits a particular medic is a question for your legal counsel; we are glad to talk it through.
Can volunteer medics or sworn officers take the Tactical Medical Professional course?
Check with DPS and your counsel first. The statute’s definition does not mention volunteers, but DPS’s application form (LTC-105A) lists volunteer emergency services personnel, EMS volunteers, and peace officers performing law-enforcement duties as excluded.
For participants
Is this a beginner course?
No. The initial course is intermediate to advanced. Participants need sound handgun fundamentals before day one, and there is a pre-test and proficiency demonstration on the first day.
What are the pass marks?
The program uses a 90% threshold on the day-one pre-test and initial proficiency demonstration to remain in the course, and a 90% threshold on the day-three post-test to pass. Completion is not guaranteed.
What do I need to bring?
A suitable handgun with magazines or speed loaders, at least 400 rounds, a retention-capable belt or paddle holster, eye and ear protection, range clothing, and a handheld flashlight. The full list is on Course & Student Readiness.
I am an individual first responder. How do I attend?
Classes are reserved by departments, so the route is through your leadership. Share this site with your chief, EMS director, or training officer and ask them to request a department quote.
Still have a question?
Ask it on the quote form or call us. We will answer it as part of planning your class.