Search found 12 matches

by Charles L. Cotton
Fri May 14, 2010 9:12 am
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

sjfcontrol wrote:Does this mean ALL fingerprints must be done thru FAST/L-1 now?
No, digital fingerprints are not mandatory, at this point. They are highly recommended because 1) the FBI reject rate is much lower (< 1% v. 30+%); and 2) it will speed up DPS processing of your application.

Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Thu May 13, 2010 8:25 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

Here is an update on changes to the application process.

People applying for their first CHL can either apply online, or they can use packets their instructors may have in class. I say "may" because they are not required to have packets. As you will see below, I strongly recommend that everyone use the online application. If you are renewing a CHL, you must use the online process.

Initial applications for first-time licensees:

Applicants for a NEW CHL (not a renewal), will be provided a checklist of any required supplemental documents (ex. CHL-100, fingerprints, photos, DD-214, criminal history disposition documents, etc.) that need to be provided. Since the application itself is completely online (except for supplemental docs that the applicant must provide) DPS will not be mailing anything to applicants.

Renewal applications:

Applicants who apply online for renewal will be presented with a checklist that includes any supplemental items they need to send to DPS to process their renewal. As most folks already know, DPS no longer requires photos (for in-state applicants) or fingerprints for any applicant on renewal, so for the majority of applicants they will only be sending in the CHL-100—and then only if they are in a renewal period that requires them to take the renewal course.

WARNING ABOUT PAPER APPLICATIONS:

If applicants send in a paper application but want to get digital fingerprints from FAST/L-1, they must take the CHL class, submit their application to DPS and wait to schedule their fingerprint appointment until AFTER they receive a confirmation from DPS. They cannot schedule with FAST/L1 until they are in DPS's system so that FAST/L1 knows they are a CHL applicant.

All L-1 a/k/a FAST locations are now doing fingerprints for CHL applications:

It was previously reported that some FAST locations were not doing fingerprints for CHL applicants. This has changed and every FAST/L-1 location is doing prints for CHL's

This is the latest information from DPS and it's a much better process. Prior to May 1st, I used to recommend using the online application for an initial application only if you had at least 21 to 30 days before you were scheduled to take the class. This was intended to make sure the applicant got the DPS packet prior to class day. Obviously, this changed on May 1st.

Good job DPS!
Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Wed May 12, 2010 5:43 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

TxLobo wrote: they won't send you anything..
Now that's news to me and I'm supposed to know these things! :oops: I'll check this out.

Thanks,
Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Sun May 09, 2010 4:35 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

KFP wrote:
Charles L. Cotton wrote:
Teamless wrote:I think that is the form that the trainer gives you stating you have taken (and passed) the renewal course
Correct.

Chas.
Any idea (if you're able to say) when instructors will be able to take care of this online as well?
All I know is that is in phase 2 of the overall system upgrade. Class Notification and Certificate of Class Completion will be available online to instructors and my guess is that the Certificate of Completion may replace the CHL-100. If so, then a provision will have to be made for people who take the class before they apply with DPS. There has to be some way for the instructor to identify them to DPS without an application number. A driver's license number could be used if the applicant has a Texas DL.

The focus now is making sure there are no bugs in the new applicant procedures, then work will resume on the instructor side.

Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Sun May 09, 2010 1:31 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

Teamless wrote:I think that is the form that the trainer gives you stating you have taken (and passed) the renewal course
Correct.

Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Mon Apr 12, 2010 10:48 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

Vic wrote:Forgive me if I'm being dense, but my understanding of what this is saying boils down to this:

1. You will be able to complete the CHL application online. In fact, after a brief interim, you will be FORCED to do so.

2. Part of this online application process involves scheduling an appointment to get digital fingerprints made. This means no more ink-based fingerprints. You will be compelled to use the FAST Fingerprint system.

3. The FAST Fingerprint system is not free, nor even inexpensive. Also, not all of the places where you can go to have your digital fingerprints made will do so for every purpose. For example, here in the Beaumont area, there is only one place that does the FAST digital fingerprints. However, that location does NOT offer the service if your intent is to get a CHL. If you want to have digital fingerprints made for the purpose of getting a CHL, the closest location is in Houston, about 2 hours drive (each way), not to mention the fee for the service.

So, does that mean that, unless more FAST Fingerprint locations appear, those of us in inconvenient locations will be looking at not only a renewal class, lasting 5 hours or so, but also a long drive coupled with another fee that the CHL class doesn't cover?

I'm led to believe that the FAST digital fingerprint machines are very expensive, so the idea that local CHL instruction locations will be providing the service seems extremely unlikely.

I don't mean to rain on this parade, but this looks like a significant downside to this development. I'd have to take a day off of work just to get fingerprints done...
At this point, digital fingerprints are not mandatory, but they probably will be at some point in the future. The fact that some FAST locations don't do prints for CHL applications is being addressed by DPS. With the new procedures coming May 1st, the only time we will have to get prints is for the first license, since renewals won't require prints.

As for cost, FAST in our area charges $9.95, but I don't know if that varies throughout the State.

Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Sat Apr 10, 2010 12:45 am
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

Sasnakra wrote:Charles, I am guessing, but hopefully none of the changes would impact reciprocal agreements with other states?
What about CHL holders when purchasing guns - would anything change regarding stores not having to phone in the NIC?

Thanks again for the information.
:txflag:
None of the changes will impact our reciprocity agreement and we will keep our NICS exemption.

Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:14 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

txmatt wrote:Will the proof of training be online as well for renewals?

I just got my letter from DPS about my renewal (mine expires in September) and it sounds like I should wait till May 1st to start my application as the new system sounds much improved. If I want to wait till May 1st to start the application does that mean I have wait on the training as well? Haven't looked into class schedules yet, but if one is available at the end of this month I might be tempted to go ahead and get it done. Great to hear about the under one month turn around times for both renewals and new apps- I was kind of worried about that.
No, you don't have to wait to take your class. For a while instructors will have to fill out CHL-100 training certificates for their students. At some point, this too will be an online function, but I don't know when. If you are going to wait until after May 1st to apply online, you don't have to get fingerprints, photos or affidavits.

Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:11 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

dubya wrote:Well, I must ask an individual question with that great news on new licenses and, in my case, renewals.

Charles (edit: anyone else know?):
I already have my renewal packet and took my renewal class. Have my pictures but no fingerprints yet.

Do we send in our existing renewal packets after May 1 without the pictures/fingerprints? I have the training cert, the affadavits, paid online packet materials on mine but no prints yet.

My license renews at the end of June. Any suggestions on how I (and others in this group) determine what to do with our renewal packets?

And, Mr. Cotton, "Thank you!" for everything you do for us in Texas shooting and shooting sports (and TSRA!!!).

Thanks,
JW
I feel pretty sure you can submit your application without fingerprints and photos, but you obviously will have to send affidavits since you will not have used the new application that includes the affidavits.

I'll send an email to my contact at DPS and confirm this. I'll post the response.

Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:09 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

infoman wrote:A couple of quick things about the post.. One thing, as of right now the online application will NOT be entirely online. there will be some things people will still have to mail in to dps as part of their application, the wording is a bit misleading. Example- if someone is born outside the US, say Japan, they would still have to send in a copy of us passport, cert. of naturalization, etc. If someone is applying as veteran- they would still need to send in a copy of DD-214, if someone is active military, etc, also, first time applicants would need to send in fpc's, photos, etc. It's a bit misleading to say the "Entire" application process will be done online, although there may come a time when that may be the case. Just wanted to clear up any confusion on the word "Entire".
You're right, I should have said the entire application will be completed online, not the entire application process. However, the entire process will be online in the coming weeks.

The advantage of an online application is that you cannot submit an incomplete application, and DPS will be able to process online applications faster since they will not have to enter your paper application into the system as is the case with instructor-provided packets.

Thanks for the heads-up.
Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Wed Apr 07, 2010 7:36 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

Okay, I'm back from Austin and I have clearance to provide this information.

There is an entirely new system going online on May 1st, unless a last minute bug is discovered. The new application process will be entirely online, including affidavits. The new system will not allow you to submit an incomplete application, so this will prevent the dreaded "you didn't give us everything" letter. The notice on TexasOnline is incomplete, thus it is misleading. (It isn't DPS' fault.) The notice should state that people who have started an online application and saved it without completing it and paying the fee will have to start over after May 1st. If you've already completed the online application and have paid your fee, whether or not you have received the packet from DPS,then the warning doesn't apply to you. You can take your course and send in the application material as has always been the case.

Not only is the new online system great, there are other very good changes coming on May 1st. For example, it will no longer be necessary to provide fingerprints and photographs with renewal applications. (I already mentioned that online applications will include the affidavits, so those won't be necessary either.) There are other excellent improvements on the way both for CHL's and CHL instructors, but I'm not at liberty to discuss them now.

While in Austin, I also attended the hearing on the Interim Study in the House Public Safety Committee. DPS is averaging 21 days in completing applications for an initial CHL and 23 days for renewals. With the new online application processing making it impossible to submit an incomplete application, we should continue to see these excellent turnaround times. To give you an idea how the new systems and procedures have helped with processing, DPS has not had any temporary employees in the CHL division since the 4th quarter of 2009, yet they are able to achieve a 21 day turnaround on applications.

I want to thank the folks at DPS for their ongoing efforts to streamline the process and to work with us in making changes that are beneficial to everyone. The new crew at DPS, including the new Col., have been wonderful to work with and they have taken our suggestions and comments seriously. But I don't want to leave the impression that all of the process changes were our ideas; DPS has done an excellent job of analyzing every aspect of their procedures. They have done away with unnecessary procedures without jeopardizing the integrity of the program and they have revamped their entire operation to make it much more efficient and cost effective. I'd like to give the names of the folks responsible for these sweeping changes, but I have not be given clearance to do so. Perhaps I can at some point in the future.

The May 1st changes are excellent and they will make a very positive impact on CHL application processing, but as I said earlier, there are other very good changes coming in future months. These future changes will help both CHL's and instructors. (Instructors, if you like doing away with the TR-100's, you're going to love Phase II!)

Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:28 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: New Online CHL Application Coming?
Replies: 57
Views: 8514

Re: New Online CHL Application Coming?

I can't say more at this time, but this is nothing to worry about. I'll update everyone when I can.

Chas.

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