NRA Firearms Instructor Training

Pistol Instructor

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $150 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

See requirements below To qualify as an NRA instructor.

Range Safety Officer

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $120 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

See requirements below To qualify as a NRA RSO.

Chief Range Safety Officer

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $150 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

*Must have RSO certification and 1 NRA Instructor Rating.

Muzzleloading (Black Powder) Pistol Instructor

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $275 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

See requirements below To qualify as an NRA instructor.

Muzzleloading (Black Powder) Rifle Instructor

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $275 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

See requirements below To qualify as an NRA instructor.

Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $150 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

See requirements below To qualify as an NRA instructor.

This course is only offered one (1) time per year, reserve your seat early!

Rifle Instructor

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $150 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

See requirements below To qualify as an NRA instructor.

Shotgun Instructor

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $150 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

See requirements below To qualify as an NRA instructor.

Personal Protection in the Home Instructor

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $200 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

You must have the Basic Pistol Instructor Cert for this class.

Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor

Item Information
Date TBD
Time 8:30am
Cost $200 including training materials
Pre-registration $50 deposit required
Call Kathy (714) 319-3013

You must have the PPITH Instructor Cert for this class.

Requirements to become a NRA Instructor

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Instructors provide an invaluable service in their communities by training hundreds of thousands of individuals annually. As firearm and shooting activities expand, and more Americans choose to exercise their right to carry a firearm, so too grows the need for these courses.

You can be the vital element in meeting this need by becoming an NRA Certified Instructor and conducting NRA Basic Firearm Training Courses. As an instructor, you can experience the personal satisfaction of teaching others the basics -- the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will lead to a lifetime of safe, enjoyable and successful involvement in firearm and shooting activities.

The NRA is looking for new instructors who enjoy working with people, want to share their firearm knowledge and skills with others, and are willing to make a commitment to teach NRA training courses in their communities.

The types of courses and instructor ratings available are:

Basic Pistol Shooting Course

  • NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
  • NRA Assistant Pistol Instructor
  • NRA Apprentice Pistol Instructor

Basic Rifle Shooting Course

  • NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
  • NRA Assistant Rifle Instructor
  • NRA Apprentice Rifle Instructor

Basic Shotgun Shooting Course

  • NRA Certified Shotgun Instructor
  • NRA Assistant Shotgun Instructor
  • NRA Apprentice Shotgun Instructor

Personal Protection Course

  • NRA Certified Personal Protection Instructor

Home Firearm Safety Course

  • NRA Certified Home Firearm Safety Instructor

Metallioc Cartridge Reloading Course

  • NRA Certified Reloading Instructor

Shotgun Shell Reloading Course

  • NRA Certified Reloading Instructor

Range Safety Officer Course

  • NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer Instructor

To Qualify as a NRA Instructor:

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  • Possess and demonstrate a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills acquired through previous firearm training (such as completion of an NRA Basic Firearm Training Course) and/or previous shooting experience.
  • Successfully complete the appropriate NRA instructor examination. Certified—90% or higher. Assistant—85% or higher. Apprentice—85% or higher.
  • Satisfactorily complete an NRA Instructor Training Course for the area of specialization you wish to teach (e.g., NRA Basic Shotgun Course), and receive the endorsement of the NRA Training Counselor conducting your training.
  • Submit your application with appropriate certification fee. Membership in the National Rifle Association is strongly recommended.

Certified Ratings are available to individuals who wish to be fully qualified to conduct basic courses (21 years of age or older).

Assistant Ratings are available to individuals who wish to assist certified instructors in order to gain the knowledge and experience needed to become a certified instructor (18 years of age or older).

Apprentice Ratings are available to young people who wish to understudy a certified instructor in preparation for more advanced ratings. The apprentice instructor will be chosen by an NRA Certified Instructor from select individuals. These individuals must be of the emotional maturity necessary to handle such a position. In addition, they must have attended and successfully completed an NRA Basic Firearm Training Course in their chosen area of specialization (13-17 years of age).

Responsibilities as a NRA Certified Instructor include:

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  • Conducting NRA Basic Courses in accordance with policies and procedures outlined by NRA.
  • Upholding the quality and integrity of national firearm safety and training standards established by NRA.
  • Promoting firearm safety and the shooting sports.
  • Reporting training data to NRA.

Knowing how to shoot is an important requirement for NRA instructors, but you will also need to know how to teach others to shoot. NRA Instructor Training Courses help you develop the additional knowledge, skills and techniques needed to organize and teach courses in the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program.

Instructor training courses are conducted by NRA Training Counselors. Training Counselors are active and experienced instructors who have been appointed by NRA to train other (new) instructors. You may request a list of training counselors in your geographic area by contacting the NRA Training Department at 703-267-1430.

Benefits of becoming a NRA Instructor:

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  • NRA Certified Instructors qualify to take the NRA Basic Range Safety Officer Course as a validation course. The Basic Range Safety Officer validation course is offered and taken as part of the Home Study Program.
  • You will soon qualify to become a Training Counselor. In this position, you have the responsibility of teaching (new) NRA Instructors.
  • Once you receive your certificate (suitable for framing) from NRA, you will receive your identification card. You will also receive a free subscription of the NRA Shooting Education Update, a newsletter published periodically for all NRA Trainers.
  • Program information, training schedules, book reviews, material updates and more are provided. Additionally, the Update provides an open forum for the exchange of information and ideas on firearm safety and marksmanship education.
  • You become an even more valuable resource for your community. NRA Certified Instructors are leaders who provide a very important service. Because of your dedication to the shooting sports, you are providing a chance for others to enjoy the same benefits of firearm ownership that you have enjoyed in the past.

Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network

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Armed Citizens Network