CHL process in Texas?

[NcongruNt]

Hey everyone from Texas. I am going to be taking a CHL class at the beginning of March, and wanted to know what everyone's experiences with getting their CHL have been. Specifically, how long did it take for your license to arrive once you completed training and sent in all your paperwork. I'm pretty familiar with the rest of the process, it's just that I've found there's no good way of telling how long a government entity takes to complete an application process.

I have no criminal record whatsoever, and pass all of the requisites for CHL just fine. I had a background check run on myself in anticipation of joining the Austin Rifle Club (a background check is one of the requisites if you don't have a CHL), and it came back on the next business day with a "No Criminal Record" stamp on it, so I'm not worried about any extended background checking wait.

I'm not in a rush or anything, it's just good to know timelines, for when I should start finding good concealed holsters for my pistol and testing ammo to see what works reliably for self defense loads.

 

[ezypikns]

I got my CHL about 5 years ago.

If I recall, it was almost exactly 60 days from the time I completed the class until I received my license in the mail.
My class was a one day affair which began at 8:00 am and finished up about 6:30 pm. Long day. I had a small class which was given at a a local gun range which had a small attached indoor range (it's since gone out of business).
We had an excellent instructor who had been an LEO at one time. This gentleman made the classwork and written tests inyeresting and informative. I had done some reading about Texas state laws concerning concealed carry before the class began, but you may be surprised (as I was) at the ignorance of some of your classmates.
Range qualification was a piece of cake. A total of 50 rds. at varying distances (I believe it was 3,7, and 15 yds). The scoring is VERY lenient. Still, a couple of the fellows in my class barely passed. The problems they had were twofold. First neither one had put more than 50 rds thru their firearm previously. Personally, I don't think a CHL class is the place to get to know your firearm. Second, in range qualification, there are a few instances where you fire multiple shot strings. The instructor will say something like: "Fire 5 shots in the next 15 seconds beginning....now", and you're expected to fire the string. The exact phrase may be different. 15 seconds is a long time to fire 5 shots. My fellow classmates fired the entire string bam,bam,bam,bam,bam. As a result, their targets looked like they'd been hit with a poorly patterned shotgun. Take your time. I did and scored basically a perfect score. That's NOT bragging. Anyone who's a reasonably good shot should do so.
Above all, good luck, learn, and have fun.

 

[Snarlingiron]

If you pay your fees and register online, you can track your applications progress online. At least that is the theory. I did it this way, and checked often, but the information on the website seemed to lag far behind reality. The DPS must by law notify you of success, failure, or delay within 60 days of submitting your application.

From Texas Government Code 411.177

(b) The department shall, not later than the 60th day after the date
of the receipt by the director's designee of the completed application
materials:
(1) issue the license;
(2) notify the applicant in writing that the application was denied:
(A) on the grounds that the applicant failed to qualify under the
criteria listed in Section 411.172;
(B) based on the affidavit of the director's designee submitted
to the department under Section 411.176(b); or
(C) based on the affidavit of the qualified handgun instructor
submitted to the department under Section 411.189(c); or
(3) notify the applicant in writing that the department is unable to
make a determination regarding the issuance or denial of a license to
the applicant within the 60-day period prescribed by this subsection
and include in that notification an explanation of the reason for the
inability and an estimation of the amount of time the department will
need to make the determination.
(c) Failure of the department to issue or deny a license for a period
of more than 30 days after the department is required to act under
Subsection (b) constitutes denial.
(d) A license issued under this subchapter is effective from the date
of issuance.

 

[Gun Geezer]

Here's how it is

You will not get your CCW in the mail until the last possible day. The State may have finished all their work, but will NOT mail it until they absolutely have to.

A blind man could score enough points to pass. In my first class, a lady shows up with a Ruger 9mm she has never had out of the box, never fired, etc. She actually missed the entire target her first 3 shots! Even she scored enough points (barely) to pass.

Pay very close attention to the class material. Where you can and cannot carry, when you can and cannot use deadly force. Also suggest you re-read that particular material occasionally. This is the most important part of the training by far.

 

[dogtown tom]

I took my CHL class the weekend before Thanksgiving '06, mailed in the documents the day after Thanksgiving. Took 74 days mailbox to mailbox.

Having had a clean background check before has little bearing on your CHL. I'm a teacher and my school district runs a background on us every other year.

Eventually someone at DPS will realize that some people will pay extra to get their CHL "expedited" and offer such a service.

 

[Snarlingiron]

A blind man could score enough points to pass. In my first class, a lady shows up with a Ruger 9mm she has never had out of the box, never fired, etc. She actually missed the entire target her first 3 shots! Even she scored enough points (barely) to pass.

Yep. A couple attended my class. They were there for renewal. When range time came, the nice lady opened a briefcase, and took out a Glock 26. She then proceeded to spray rounds all over the place. When it was over, I missed a perfect score by one round. The one she put on the upper right hand corner of my target. Worst part of all she was there for a renewal, meaning she had already been licensed and carrying for 5 years!! The last thing the range officer commanded was to remove the magazine, unload the weapon and lock the slide open. She could not figure out where the magazine release was. The RO had to do it for her.

Soooo, qualifying is really not an issue, unless you are so disoriented that you can't figure out which direction the targets are in.

 

[wdlsguy]

My renewal in 2006 took 72 days mailbox to mailbox.

 

[Impax]

Mailed mine in September 5, 2006 and got it January 12, 2007

 

[Greybeard]

Quote: "I've found there's no good way of telling how long a government entity takes to complete an application process."

That pretty much sums it up. In addition to THR, quite a few of us also hang out at www.texaschlforum.com. Come over there and join us - and others "In The Waiting Room".

 

[LHB1]

Completed CHL class and mailed in application Nov '06. Received my CHL in Jan '07, two months almost to the day including Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Year holidays.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[Prince Yamato]

It should take 60-90 days. Unless you forgot to fill something out on the form like I did :banghead: then you have to fill it back in and it takes another 60-90 days from when they get the info

 

[MechAg94]

I am thinking mine took right at about 60 days. My renewal went faster.

You have to remember that lots of people shoot semi-auto guns for the test, but normally carry or shoot revolvers due to the restriction rule. They really need to get rid of that restriction.

 

[hoji]

Initial license took 103 days{no I did not forget anything} and renewal took about a month.

 

[1911austin]

I just got me renewal in the mail today 2/24/07. I turned in the application in person on 1/19/07. They took a little longer that the 60 days allowed by law on the first time. The renewals have gone quicker.

 

[rhubarb]

A friend who just received his CHL was delayed because someone with the same name 500 miles away committed a crime a couple of years ago. The DPS required my friend to submit a written copy of a search for criminal convictions from his local jurisdiction. Why wouldn't the DPS be able to sort out who is who? They have all his personal information, fingerprints and photo.

Makes me wonder if they're stalling or just making excuses because they're overloaded with applicants. I hope they're overloaded with millions of applicants. Took him four months after the application was submitted.

 

[DeftwillP]

68 days from door to door. Have you shopped around in Austin for your classes?

 

[NcongruNt]

I am going to my class at KR Training. The cost is $150, but it is an everything-included package, with fingerprinting, photos, notarizing, etc. done for you there on the spot. They also send all the paperwork in for you right away. They also serve lunch there, included in the price of the course.

 

[TX1911fan]

61 days.