- Candidates must possess and demonstrate a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills acquired through previous firearm training and/or previous shooting experience. Instructor candidates must be intimately familiar with each action type in the discipline they wish to be certified.
- Candidates will be required to demonstrate solid and safe firearms handling skills required to be successful during an instructor training course by completing pre-course questionnaires and qualification exercises administered by the NRA Appointed Training Counselor.
- Candidates must satisfactorily complete an NRA Instructor Training Course in the discipline they wish to teach (e.g., NRA Basic Pistol Course), and receive the endorsement of the NRA Training Counselor conducting that training.
NRA Instructor courses are discipline specific. During the course, candidates will learn NRA policies and procedures, basic public speaking skills, training methodology, use of a training team and training aids, organizing a course, building a budget, and finally preparing to teach. In addition, candidates will be provided the appropriate lesson plans and basic course student packets. Role-playing is a major part of an instructor course; therefore, the minimum class size should be at least four candidates, with 10-12 candidates being ideal. Candidates take turns working in teams, actually conducting portions of the course to other candidates who portray basic students.
Training Counselors will evaluate candidates’ performance based on their ability to handle the firearms with confidence, use of appropriate training aids, following the lesson plans and meeting all learning objectives, while utilizing the teaching philosophies expected of NRA Certified Instructors. Candidates can also expect to learn the NRA discipline specific instructional methods and evaluating and improving the performance of beginning shooters. Candidates will be provided with the NRA Trainer’s Guide, appropriate Lesson Plans and Outlines, Basic Course Student handbooks, certificates, basic student examinations, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program booklet, Basic Firearm Training Programs Brochure, Gun Safety Rules brochure, NRA Trainer’s Examination and NRA discipline specific instructor examination (minimum passing grade is 90%).
Instructor ratings are available to conduct the following NRA courses:
- Basic Pistol Shooting
- Personal Protection in the Home
- Personal Protection Outside the Home
- Basic Rifle Shooting
- Basic Shotgun Shooting
- Basic Muzzleloading Pistol
- Basic Muzzleloading Rifle
- Basic Muzzleloading Shotgun
- Home Firearm Safety
- Metallic Cartridge Reloading
- Shotgun Shell Reloading
- Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Instructors provide an invaluable service in their communities by training hundreds of thousands of individuals annually. As more Americans choose to exercise their right to own 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 attitude that will lead to a lifetime of safe, enjoyable and successful involvement in firearm and shooting activities.
NRA Certified Instructors are expected to:
- Conduct NRA Basic Courses in accordance with policies and procedures outlined by NRA
- Uphold the quality and integrity of national firearm safety and training standards established by NRA
- Promote firearm safety and the shooting sports
- Report training data to NRA
