My take on this is that DPS sees that you answer the questions, over 21 or active service military, not a felon, not convicted of a misdemeanor in the last five years, etc.GC §411.175. REQUEST FOR APPLICATION MATERIALS. (a) A person applying for a license to carry a concealed handgun must apply by obtaining a request for application materials from a handgun dealer, the department, or any other person or entity approved by the department. The request for application materials must include the applicant's full name, address, race, sex, height, date of birth, and driver's license number and such other identifying information as required by department rule. The department shall prescribe the form of the request and make the form available to interested parties. An individual who desires to receive application materials must complete the request for application materials and forward it to the department at its Austin address. The department shall review all requests for application materials and make a preliminary determination as to whether or not the individual is qualified to receive a handgun license.
It wouldn't make sense for them to perform a background check at that point, since they are going to do it after you pay the application fee.
This requirement is practically defunct. If you apply online, you answer the questions online; and whether you're eligible is probably determined by a computer program.
If you take a turnkey CHL class, the instructor gives you the application with no participation by DPS.
- Jim