68 days, and counting...

78641 · #1

I called last week (on day 61) and was told they are "completing the background check" and could expect the license early this week. Nothing missing, nothing wrong, just waiting.

Early this week is over tomorrow. I guess I'll call back then.

Fangs404 · #2

I'm afraid I'm about to join you. Tomorrow (well, today, seeing as it's now the 13th), marks my 60th day. I dunno what's going on, but I guess they must be really backed up.

txlouie · #3

Hi!

Day 50 here, I quess I have a long wait in from of me.

78641 · #4

Fangs404 wrote:I'm afraid I'm about to join you. Tomorrow (well, today, seeing as it's now the 13th), marks my 60th day. I dunno what's going on, but I guess they must be really backed up.

I don't know about being backed up. I've seen plenty of people who sent in their stuff after me get their permits already, some in as little as 40-45 days.

It might have more to do with where we live....

Guess I'll call again today.

Micten2 · #5

Well, I checked my online status a few days ago, and it had changed from 'Packet Mailed to Applicant' to 'Application Incomplete-Missing Information'. I called and was able to get through, and the lady told me that I had forgotten to sign one page. What a bummer. I got the sheet in the mail yesterday, signed it, and will mail it off today. So basically my 60 days starts as soon as they get the signed page. It's a drag that my clock is just now starting, but it's nice to know that the deadline is about to be put in place. Best of luck to all potential CHL applicants.

78641 · #6

Called and asked again today. They are still waiting on the background information. There is nothing wrong with me, she said. Maybe late this week, she said.

I asked if the county of residence had anything to do with the amount of time it takes, she said yes, absolutely, it has everything to do with it.

FWIW they had to check Wmsn and Travis counties for me.

Fangs404 · #7

Ah, ok. They're gonna have to check Travis, Collin, and possibly Dallas county for me. From what I gather, Travis county is usually really slow with background checks which is ironic seeing as that's where we send our CHL apps. Oh, well....

Fangs404 · #8

Are you still waiting? Mine's still says processing. I'm tempted to call them tomorrow afternoon if it doesn't change by then. I'm getting awfully anxious. :(

78641 · #9

Today will be day 72. Still waiting. I mailed it 9/4, they received it 9/5 (according to them), and still I wait. It gets rough seeing these guys get through in 45 days, I tell you.

Kalrog · #10

78641 wrote:Today will be day 72. Still waiting. I mailed it 9/4, they received it 9/5 (according to them), and still I wait. It gets rough seeing these guys get through in 45 days, I tell you.

I REALLY understand. Hang in there.

mr surveyor · #11

I don't think I've seen it mentioned here on the TexasCHLforum, but I think it would be good for someone more knowledgeable than myself to explain the local/county involvement in the process. I do know that the background check involves the applicant's local/county DPS officer assigned to the CHL background investigation duties. There are obviously a lot of steps involved, a lot of individual people in the mix, and a whole lot of movement of data from one place to another. My guess, from talking to the DPS officer handling the background checks in my county, is that the local involvement can "slow" the entire process due to workload.

txinvestigator · #12

I don't know if the Trooper has to get certified copies or not, but the process in each county is not difficult in those that are computerized.

I have done such checks in Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin, Travis, Bexar, Harris, etc.,. There are public access terminals and you can check your own. however, to get an official clearance document or proof of convictions, you have to see a clerk who does it. It is a same day process.

In counties that are not computerized (and I have been in a ton of them) the procedure is much more tedious, but it is a same day process.

I don't know what the work load is, but I imagine if there are many names to be checked when the Trooper goes in, he could leave his list with the clerk and return another day when they complete the list.

I also don't know what other duties the Trooper may have. I am sure that there are not 254 Troopers (that the number of counties in Texas) assigned to nothing but CHL duties. They probably assign the Troopers according to the DPS regions. Each DPS region encompasses many counties. Here is a region map; http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... es/map.htm

Each region usually has 2 districts indicated by A or B etc, within each region. Troopers may be assigned to districts, which would be a lot of area for a Trooper to cover. Each district has a number of Sgts, depending on the size of the district and number of counties. They could be assigned to each SGT of a District who assigns them to a Trooper.

Of course, the backgrounds could also be done by Criminal Intelligence, (they are criminal investigators whose function is the gathering of criminal intelligence) who are assigned per region.

At any rate, DPS does not have people assigned strictly to the CHL backgrounds. Those checks would have to be done in conjunction with with the person's other duties.

IIRC, and Charles can correct me if I am wrong, DPS received no additional funding to manage the CHL program.

EDIT to add' Oh, And I don't know if DPS has a state wide policy on who actually does the in county checks. The "Director's Designee" could be the Capt of each region, who decides on a region to region basis who does the checks.

Unfortunately the CHL laws nor the Texas Administrative Code are more specific in who the "director's designee" is, or how DPS is to accomplish the required background.

78641 · #13

If the DPS is doing the background checks for the individual counties, why are some counties consistently slower than others?

Assuming DPS took the full 30 days to get my stuff to the counties in question, those counties have had 42 days to do something you are saying can be a one day job.

txinvestigator · #14

78641 wrote:If the DPS is doing the background checks for the individual counties, why are some counties consistently slower than others?

Assuming DPS took the full 30 days to get my stuff to the counties in question, those counties have had 42 days to do something you are saying can be a one day job.

A one day job for me, with one person to check.

I imagine the DPS person in those areas has a lot on their plate. I imagine they don't get to every county on the first day they get an app.

mr surveyor · #15

txinvestigator wrote:
78641 wrote:If the DPS is doing the background checks for the individual counties, why are some counties consistently slower than others?

Assuming DPS took the full 30 days to get my stuff to the counties in question, those counties have had 42 days to do something you are saying can be a one day job.
A one day job for me, with one person to check.

I imagine the DPS person in those areas has a lot on their plate. I imagine they don't get to every county on the first day they get an app.

I think that is in line with what I was thinking. I know the DPS officer I talked to a few weeks ago was not just assigned to "CHL duty". He has his hands full with the normal responsibilities of a DPS officer and was given the additional chore of doing the local background checks as well. I do not know what is involved in the investigation process, but if expedience is at all dependent on the county records being computerized, most of East Texas may be "lacking".