I want to: Take a Basic Course or Become an Instructor
What will you learn in an NRA basic course at our Training Academy ?
- The NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and operating a pistol safely. This course is at least 10-hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; pistol parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting from the bench rest position, two handed and one handed standing positions; cleaning the pistol; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Pistol Shooting Student Examination, course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (revised 9-05).
· The NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation — Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training is the NRA’s response to the American public’s need for a firearm orientation program for new purchasers. NRA FIRST Steps Pistol is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one specific pistol action type. This course is at least three hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot a specific pistol action type. Students will learn the NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; the particular pistol model parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; cleaning the pistol; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, FIRST Steps Course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (revised 3-08).
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The NRA Basic Personal Protection in the Home Course teaches
the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and
efficient use of a handgun for protection of self and family, and to provide
information on the law-abiding individual’s right to self-defense. This is
an eight-hour course. Students should expect to shoot approximately 100
rounds of ammunition. Students will learn basic defensive shooting skills,
strategies for home safety and responding to a violent confrontation,
firearms and the law, how to choose a handgun for self-defense, and
continued opportunities for skill development.
Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection
In The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, the
Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, course completion
certificate, and Lesson Plan (print 10-06).
The NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course participants must be law abiding, adults (at least 21 years old), and experienced shooters (shooters able to show mastery of the basic skills of safe gun handling, shooting a group, zeroing the firearm, and cleaning the firearm) to maximize what can be learned from this course. Proof of shooting experience can be one of the following: NRA Basic Pistol Course Certificate, NRA FIRST Steps Course Certificate, NRA pistol competitive shooting qualification card, military DD 214 with pistol qualification, or passing the Pre-Course Assessment.
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The NRA
Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home Course is both
comprehensive and intensive in its approach to equip the defensive shooting
candidate with the skills needed to survive serious adversity. The course
teaches students the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding
dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of
a concealed pistol for self-defense outside the home. Students have the
opportunity to attend this course using a quality strong side hip holster
that covers the trigger, or a holster purse. From a review of safe firearms
handling and proper mindset to presentation from concealment and multiple
shooting positions, this course contains the essential skills and techniques
needed to prevail in a life-threatening situation.
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The NRA Personal Protection Outside the
Home is divided into two levels (basic and advanced). Level
one is a nine-hour course and offers the essential knowledge and skills that
must be mastered in order to carry, store, and use a firearm safely and
effectively for personal protection outside the home. Upon completion of
level one, students may choose to attend level two, which is an additional
five hours of range training and teaches advanced shooting skills. After the
classroom portion, students should expect to spend several hours on the
range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition during level one.
Level two involves five additional hours on the range and approximately 115
rounds of ammunition. The ammunition requirements are minimum and may be
exceeded. Students will receive the NRA Guide to
the Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home handbook, NRA Gun
Safety Rules brochure and the appropriate course completion
certificates(s), NRA Basic Personal Protection Outside The Home (identifies
strong-side hip holster or purse use) certificate, NRA Advanced Personal
Protection Outside The Home certificate, and Lesson Plan (print 11-06).
The NRA Basics of Personal Protection outside the Home participants in this course must be at least 21 years of age and possess defensive pistol skills presented in the NRA Basics of Personal Protection in the Home Course. Participants must also understand the basic legal concepts relating to the use of firearms in self-defense, and must know and observe not only general gun safety rules, but also those safety principles that are specific to defensive situations. Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Personal Protection in the Home Course Certificate, or by passing the pre-course evaluation.
Note: The Lesson III of the Personal Protection In and Outside The Home courses Firearms and the Law, and Legal Aspects of Self-Defense is conducted by an attorney licensed to practice law within the state in which this course is given and who is familiar with this area of the law, a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) who possesses an intermediate or higher Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificate granted within the state, or an individual currently certified to instruct in this area of the law by the state in which this course is presented.
NRA Certified Instructors may conduct this lesson only if they meet the requirements stated above and then only in their capacity as an attorney, or other state certified individual not in their capacity as an NRA Certified Instructor.
Ø The NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for the safe use of a rifle in target shooting. This course is at least 14 hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot rifles. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; rifle parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting from the bench rest, prone, sitting, standing and kneeling positions; cleaning, and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Rifle Shooting Student Examination, course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (revised 11-08).
- The NRA FIRST Steps Rifle Orientation — Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training — is the NRA’s response to the American public’s need for a firearm orientation program for new purchasers. NRA FIRST Steps Rifle is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one specific rifle action type for classes of four or fewer students. This course is at least three hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot a specific rifle action type. Students will learn the NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; the particular rifle model parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; cleaning the rifle; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, FIRST Steps Course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (revised 11-07).
- The NRA Basic Shotgun Shooting Course teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for the safe and proper use of a shotgun in shooting a moving target. This course is at least ten-hours long and includes classroom and range time learning how to shoot shotguns at moving targets. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; shotgun parts and operation; shotgun shell components; shotgun shell malfunctions; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting at straight away and angled targets; cleaning; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Shotgun Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Shotgun Shooting Student Examination, course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (8-85 reprint 3-05).
- The NRA FIRST Steps Shotgun Orientation — Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training is the NRA’s response to the American public’s need for a firearm orientation program for new purchasers. NRA FIRST Steps Shotgun course is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one specific shotgun model. This course is at least three hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot a specific model shotgun at a moving target. Students will learn the NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; the particular shotgun model parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; cleaning the shotgun; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Shotgun Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, FIRST Steps Course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (revised 10-05).
- The NRA’s Home Firearm Safety Course is a non-shooting course and teaches students the basic knowledge, skills, and to explain the attitude necessary for the safe handling and storage of firearms and ammunition in the home. This is a four-hour course for safe gun handling that is conducted in the classroom only. Students are taught NRA’s three rules for safe gun handling; primary causes of firearms accidents; firearm parts; how to unload certain action types; ammunition components; cleaning; care; safe storage of firearms in the home; and the benefits of becoming an active participant in the shooting sports. Students will receive the NRA Home Firearm Safety handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Basic Firearm Training Program brochure, course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (6-90 reprint 12-08).
- The NRA-NMLRA Basic Muzzleloading Pistol Shooting Course teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a muzzleloading pistol. The course is 12 hours in length and includes classroom time and instruction on a range shooting a muzzleloading pistol. Each student learns the NRA’s three rules for safe gun handling; parts of a percussion, flintlocks and revolvers; cleaning; shooting from the standing position; identifying failure to fire; and benefits of becoming an active participant in the shooting sports. Students will receive the Muzzleloading Pistol handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Muzzleloading Student Examination, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (1985 reprint 8-08).
- The NRA-NMLRA Basic Muzzleloading Rifle Shooting Course teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a muzzleloading rifle. The course is 12 hours in length and includes classroom instruction and time on a range shooting a muzzleloading rifle. Students learn the NRA’s three rules for safe gun handling; parts; loading; shooting; cleaning; shooting from a standing position and shooting from a crossed stick position; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Muzzleloading Rifle Handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Muzzleloading Student Examination, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (1985 reprint 1-08).
- The NRA-NMLRA Basic Muzzleloading Shotgun Shooting Course teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a muzzleloading shotgun in shooting a moving target. The course is ten hours in length and includes classroom instruction and time on a range shooting a muzzleloading shotgun. Students will receive the Muzzleloading Shotgun Handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Muzzleloading Student Examination, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, course completion certificate, and Lesson Plan (1985 reprint 5-07).
- The NRA Range Safety Officer Course develops NRA Certified Range Safety Officers with the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations. This course is nine hours long and is conducted in a classroom and at a shooting facility. Range Safety Officer candidates will learn roles and responsibilities of an RSO; Range Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); range inspection; range rules; range briefings; emergency procedures; and firearm stoppages and malfunctions. Each Range Safety Officer Candidate will receive an RSO Student Study Guide, a Basic Firearm Training Program brochure, an NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, an Instructor Application/Course Evaluation form, and Lesson Plan (10-05 reprint 10-08).
- Refuse To Be A Victim® Seminars teach the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for developing a strategy for one's personal safety. The seminar includes classroom instruction on a variety of crime prevention strategies, from criminal psychology to automobile crimes to cyber crime. Seminars can vary in length, and may be modified to suit the needs of a particular audience. This is not a firearms instruction course, and does not include instruction in physical combat self-defense. Seminars teach about common weaknesses that criminals may take advantage of, and teaches a variety of corrective measures that are practical, inexpensive, and easy to follow. Strategies include home security, carjack avoidance techniques, cyber safety, and use of personal safety devices. A complete seminar may last as long as eight hours and include the entire lesson plan, but a modified seminar may be as short as 90 minutes and address a specific topic. Students will receive the Refuse To Be A Victim student handbook, NRA Refuse To Be A Victim® brochure, NRA Become A Refuse To Be A Victim® Instructor Brochure, Refuse To Be A Victim® Firearms Supplement, and a course completion certificate.
ANY OF THE ABOVE COURSES ARE OFFERED TO THOSE WHO WISH TO BECOME NRA INSTRUCTORS AND TRAIN THE ANY OF THE BASIC NRA TRAINING COURSES.
Since 1871, a major objective of the National Rifle Association has been to provide education and training in the safe and proper use of firearms.
Today, that objective is being fulfilled through the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program. There are 11 different courses in the program being taught throughout the nation by NRA Certified Instructors. NRA Instructors also teach the three-hour FIRST STEPS Orientation Program (rifle, pistol, and shotgun) to introduce new shooters to a particular firearm model.
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
BASIC MUZZLELOADING PISTOL COURSE
· NRA-NMLRA Certified Muzzleloading Pistol Instructor
·
NRA-NMLRA Assistant Muzzleloading Pistol Instructor
BASIC MUZZLELOADING
RIFLE COURSE
· NRA-NMLRA Certified Muzzleloading Rifle Instructor
·
NRA-NMLRA Assistant Muzzleloading Rifle Instructor
BASIC MUZZLELOADING
SHOTGUN COURSE
· NRA-NMLRA Certified Muzzleloading Shotgun Instructor
·
NRA-NMLRA Assistant Muzzleloading Shotgun Instructor
PERSONAL PROTECTION
COURSE
· NRA Certified Personal Protection Inside The Home Instructor
·
NRA Certified Personal Protection Outside The Home Instructor
HOME FIREARM SAFETY
COURSE
·
NRA Certified Home Firearm Safety Instructor
RANGE SAFETY OFFICER COURSE
· NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer Instructor
To qualify as an NRA instructor, you must:
- 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).
Your responsibilities as an NRA Certified Instructor will include:
- 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
How you benefit by becoming an NRA Instructor:
- 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.
Contact our staff to discuss your interest in becoming an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor or Range Safety Officer.
Downloads:
Kansas Concealed Handgun Course
NRA Basic Qualification Courses
Retired Officer Course Sign up Sheet
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