TexasCHLforum.com

Thumms wrote:What a long and confusing journey. I learned a great deal about the Texas CHL process along the way and after waiting 5.5 months and jumping through a couple hoops they put in my path, my status finally changed to "Fingerprints Received" "Background Check Completed" and "Print Pending"!




Now the wait begins for my plastic to arrive in the mail...

I had a couple of arrests and other items in my past that caused some delays, but DPS actually does do their job and they aren't just forgetting about us. So if you're one of the unlucky ones who aren't getting your CHL in the mail in just a few weeks, don't give up hope. And if you get a packet in the mail requesting more data, tend to it quickly and get it back to them. They actually do continue to work on your case after that. It is put on hold, but it isn't lost or in perpetual limbo.

Good luck to everyone else who is waiting and watching the CHL status website daily, hoping to see the much coveted "Mailed" update...

God Bless Texas

Checked the status site this morning (a Saturday after a holiday no less...!) and my status finally changed to the much-coveted "CHL Mailed"!!!!!

Here's my timeline recap:

CHL Class taken, Fingerprint Submission and Forms uploaded 5/30/16

Letter requesting medical eval rcvd 8/30/16

Medical form submitted to Medical Advisory Board 9/27/16

Approval from MAB given and sent to DPS 10/14/16

Fingerprints and Background Check completed 11/9/16

CHL Approved and Mailed 11/12/16

Should be in my mailbox in the next few days

If you are facing the task of having to provide criminal records or be evaluated by a doctor and have any questions about the best course of action, feel free to ask and I'll offer up all the info I've gained over the past 6 months...

Hang in there!

What a long and confusing journey. I learned a great deal about the Texas CHL process along the way and after waiting 5.5 months and jumping through a couple hoops they put in my path, my status finally changed to "Fingerprints Received" "Background Check Completed" and "Print Pending"!




Now the wait begins for my plastic to arrive in the mail...

I had a couple of arrests and other items in my past that caused some delays, but DPS actually does do their job and they aren't just forgetting about us. So if you're one of the unlucky ones who aren't getting your CHL in the mail in just a few weeks, don't give up hope. And if you get a packet in the mail requesting more data, tend to it quickly and get it back to them. They actually do continue to work on your case after that. It is put on hold, but it isn't lost or in perpetual limbo.

Good luck to everyone else who is waiting and watching the CHL status website daily, hoping to see the much coveted "Mailed" update...

God Bless Texas

AnxiouslyWaiting wrote:Reciprocal licensing. Texas acknowledges chl/ocw/Ltc ect. from other states. Many states (including Texas) issue to applicants from other states(as long as requirements are met). Some state qualifying criteria is less strenuous compared to others.

I'm no instructor or LEO by any means, so if I'm wrong please feel free to set me straight.

So you use the classroom training certification form from your Texas CHL class for an Arizona license? It seems like a big loophole that Texas would filter out somehow, but maybe not.

Rixuneaux wrote:

Thumms wrote:

Rixuneaux wrote:Not sure what's going on with our justice system but I finally found out why it is taking over 100 days to even find out why I haven't received my license yet, even after 2 phone calls and 3 emails to the DPS. They said my fingerprints showed an arrest for bad checks in Dallas from 2007. So, I drove 2 hours to Dallas and paid to have certified background checks (both felony and misdemeanor) run on me that came back squeaky clean to prove to them I'm not a criminal. So I emailed all of that in and sent another email requesting an email response to tell me if there are anymore hoops I have to jump through without waiting another 100 days to do so. They just sent me the generic canned email as a response so I guess I'm in for the 180 day wait now. I'm really starting to feel like I got pulled out of line for a full cavity search!

I


Keep us posted on your progress!

I didn't report it initially because it isn't supposed to exist. I never would have guessed that I would have to collect documentation on something I was wrongfully accused of 20 years ago and was supposed to be erased like it never happened. I guess no one ever told IAFIS so now I'm back to square one but the amount of squares just doubled. I filed for an Arizona CCW after I kinda gave up on Texas. I bet they kick it back too.

I just spoke with them and they do stop all processing of cases requiring supporting documents and they do each one individually so the process could in reality take nearly two years depending on how many blips you have on your app.

They do MAB first. If you make it past that, they then restart the clock and send you back into the cue to see if you have any arrests. If you do and they show up, then you have to get the official copies from the county clerks office for each case. But I think they request all court case files at once. Not one at a time.

Then if you clear that hurdle, you go back in the cue for a check on owing back taxes or child support.

I went online just now and found both of my case numbers and am going to get copies ahead of time so that when I finally get the letter requesting documentation, I'll already have them in hand to fax or mail. Whichever they allow.

How is it possible for a Texas resident to apply for an Arizona CHL? And wouldn't Texas eventually say, " You live in Texas now so you need to get a Texas CHL?"

Rixuneaux wrote:Not sure what's going on with our justice system but I finally found out why it is taking over 100 days to even find out why I haven't received my license yet, even after 2 phone calls and 3 emails to the DPS. They said my fingerprints showed an arrest for bad checks in Dallas from 2007. So, I drove 2 hours to Dallas and paid to have certified background checks (both felony and misdemeanor) run on me that came back squeaky clean to prove to them I'm not a criminal. So I emailed all of that in and sent another email requesting an email response to tell me if there are anymore hoops I have to jump through without waiting another 100 days to do so. They just sent me the generic canned email as a response so I guess I'm in for the 180 day wait now. I'm really starting to feel like I got pulled out of line for a full cavity search!

I'm in a similar boat. I was informed via mail exactly 90 days from the day they received all my initial documents, that my application was referred to the medical advisory board for review. Then 2 days after that, I got the forms from the MAB for my doctor to fill out asserting that I'm not crazy and am able to safely use and store firearms.

My doc was out of town for three weeks, so that caused nearly a month delay. On Oct 14th, DPS received the approval letter from the MAB.

After two phone calls and three emails, they still won't tell me if there's anything else holding up my app, and won't confirm nor deny that "since I had a medical flag" placed on my file from day one, they automatically stopped all work on the rest of my background check until I cleared the MAB hurdle. They will only say that my "file is being processed" and that "they have 6 MONTHS FROM THE DAY THEY GET ALL 'SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS' IN HAND!!!!!"

That sounds to me like they can blow us off 90 days for EACH flag they decide to place on our apps. And could in effect take over a year to process applications that require multiple supporting documents.

I have two ancient arrests for which both cases were dropped before ever going to court, and I listed them on my app with details but not case numbers since they were 8 and 15 years old. So I have a feeling I'll be getting yet another letter asking for case numbers and copies of something from the courts... Which will be nearly impossible for the 15 year old case from CA.

I also make monthly payments to Nevada for ancient back child support. But I am in compliance and have been for over a decade. So I bet I'll get another demand for proof of that too.

Did you list the arrest on your initial application or did they find it on their own? Did they send you a letter requesting the info you sent the DPS? or did you also do that on your own?

I don't mind jumping through hoops, I just think that they should be able to tell you quickly via a phone call that there are multiple holds on your app, and tell you what they are so you can get the documentation quickly.

Keep us posted on your progress!

guard5 wrote:

sevon70 wrote:I had everything submitted by August 22nd and everything but fingerprints and background were green a week later. Its now past the 60 day mark and ive called twice only to be told its processing. If there was an issue with my background, would they not have emailed me or sent me a letter by this point either asking for more info or denying me? I had one arrest over 20 years ago that im pretty sure was dismissed (and in another state). Have had background checks cleared for work, and gun purchases since with no issues. Confused.

I just kept after them, I sent through RSD in quotes the faq answer to how long should I wait for a license in quotes, 2 days later im print pending. Was all in july 17. Print pending yesterday.

I've done that a couple times already and I still just get a canned reply with no movement on the updates. Oh well... Someday soon I hope...

sevon70 wrote:I had everything submitted by August 22nd and everything but fingerprints and background were green a week later. Its now past the 60 day mark and ive called twice only to be told its processing. If there was an issue with my background, would they not have emailed me or sent me a letter by this point either asking for more info or denying me? I had one arrest over 20 years ago that im pretty sure was dismissed (and in another state). Have had background checks cleared for work, and gun purchases since with no issues. Confused.

I have a very similar background to you it seems. I know for a fact that both of my arrests were dropped without prejudice. I feel the same way you do. And I also have made successful purchases recently.

I'm just wondering if they did nothing on my background at all when they saw I did a self initiated in-treatment program 9 years ago, and so they burned up the allotted 90 days by sending my file to the medical advisory board. And now that I cleared THAT obstacle, maybe they're just now starting to look at my other background stuff like the arrests.

The only other anomaly I have that I can think of is that I'm making payments on ancient back child support. But everything I've read says that as long as I've had a payment plan and am making the payments, that isn't a problem.

I'll find out eventually. When I do, I'll post an update.

Best of luck to you and let us know if the website updates before your plastic arrives in the mail...

But for some reason when we call or write, they refuse to help us understand the process or what's going on with our cases.

guard5 wrote:i received the same its processing email back. and yesterday i sent them through rsd saying it had been over 90 days and i got the email response today

It seems so random as to when or if they reply. Sometimes I get a reply the next day and sometimes 2 or 3 days. A couple of times I never heard back at all...

Oh well. They'll have to finish up eventually I guess.

guard5 wrote:After 102 days since all info was submitted, I finally received an email back from them saying my application has been approved and your license is in the process of being mailed out.
Although I am not all green on the site, maybe they just wanna take their time to update.

Awesome. I wrote them an email Friday asking why my prints are taking 5+ months to update and to please explain what else is holding things up since I was already cleared by the medical advisory board... Still waiting on a reply from them.

Did you write them on their website and got your update via email? Or did they just email you on their own?

All they told me two weeks ago via email that my application was "being processed, please be patient" .... Whatever the heck THAT means...

guard5 wrote:

Thumms wrote:

guard5 wrote:I am approaching my 90 days on 10/22, since they have green lit everything except prints and background. I have sent a couple of emails and got the generic response. Would my next course of action be to call them, or call/email my representative? Thanks for any help

Yea I listed my only arrest from over 5 years ago case numbers and everything.

Were charges dropped? I had a 16 year old and 9 year old arrest. Both were dropped. I didn't have case numbers but listed charges and final disposition of "dismissed". This may be causing both of our continued delays.

Keep us posted. Hopefully we'll both be celebrating our approvals soon!

guard5 wrote:I am approaching my 90 days on 10/22, since they have green lit everything except prints and background. I have sent a couple of emails and got the generic response. Would my next course of action be to call them, or call/email my representative? Thanks for any help

Did you list any arrests or mental health or drug treatment?

Almost 90 days to the exact day, my Medical Advisory Board paperwork showed up. My treatment program was self initiated and was 9 years ago, so two weeks after sending in my eval from my doctor, I was okayed by the MAB.

The following day, DPS had my info from the MAB. I gave DPS a week and then called to check up on the progress. Got the generic "your app is being processed... we appreciate your patience"...

I see guys on here who amazingly had their entire process take 4-6 weeks. I'm nearly at 6 months and still in limbo.

CMontalvo86 wrote:Finally!!! License in hand October 19th!
25 days from the time I took my chl class to plastic in hand! Just want to encourage everyone out there waiting for theirs, hang in there! Your time will come!
Fyi I've had two arrest years ago and traffic tickets recently. That didn't effect my timeline

Did you have to get copies of the case history showing final determination of the cases?

I have a couple of generic arrests one in 03 and 07 that were both dropped. 03 was in CA and 08 in Texas.

I've heard stories of people having to give case file stuff as old as 16 years ago.

Algill1279 wrote:Woohoo, check status this morning and BG check is finally complete. Now I'm in the 'Print Pending' phase! So excited! Have a safe day folks and Thank God you are a Texan!

Algill did you notice if your fingerprint check cleared before your background check, or did they update at the exact same time?

My prints and BGC both show Under Review. I figured after nearly 5 months my prints at least would have finished...

So I found out last week that the MAB deemed me capable of getting my CHL. I called DPS today (Tuesday Oct 18th) and they said they received the approval from MAB on Friday.

Does anyone know if they do the MAB stuff last, after reviewing criminal records and child support, or do they do Medical Advisory Board first, then if approved they move on to the rest of the background check?

I ask because I had an arrest back in 03 that was fully dropped without ever going to court, and in 07 that was also fully dropped without ever going to court. I also have been faithfully paying back support for 10 years.

So I don't want to get excited about the MAB approval only to have DPS decide to deny me on some other technicality that, to me, doesn't appear to clearly disqualify me.

I also noticed one guy said his fingerprint status updated to "complete" before his background check. I have always assumed that the two were connected and would update together automatically.

Anyone out there who has insight into the order in which they move through the process? I would think they would do everything else first and then save any MAB stuff for the last step. And once that is approved, they just check the boxes in the database and then update my status.

uthornsfan wrote:I called, got the automated call back message. I immediately called back and got put in the hold queue. I was on hold for atleast 10-15 minutes, I was working so I didn't keep track, I just hung up on my co-worker when DPS picked up

That's hilarious... I'm glad you got through!