NRA Instructor Level
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. 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 experienced shooters to teach others to shoot.
To qualify as an NRA Instructor:
- Candidates must possess and demonstrate a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills acquired through previous firearm training and/or previous shooting experience. NRA 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. The first 6 hours of an NRA instructor course is NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT), utilizing the NRA Trainer’s Guide. During this portion, 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. The BIT is followed by discipline specific training and will be 5 to 16 additional hours, depending on the discipline. During this portion, candidates will be provided the appropriate lesson plans and basic course student packets. Role-playing is a major part of an NRA 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 learned during the BIT. 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:
| DISCIPLINE | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Basic Instructor Training (BIT) | REQUIRED CLASS for ALL new NRA Instructor Candidates and Inactive Instructors (have not taught a course in 12 months) | INCL. |
| Home Firearm Safety | 1 Day (Includes BIT) | $150 |
| Basic Pistol Shooting Instructor | 2 Days (Includes BIT) | $200 |
| Basic Rifle Shooting Instructor | 2 Days (Includes BIT) | $200 |
| Basic Shotgun Shooting Instructor | 2 Days (Includes BIT) | $200 |
| Personal Protection In The Home | 2 Days (Includes BIT) Must have NRA Basic Instructor Rating |
$250 |
| Personal Protection Outside The Home | 2 Days (Includes BIT) Must have NRA Basic Instructor Rating |
$300 |
| Refuse To Be A Victim® Instructor Workshop | 2 Days (Includes BIT) Must attend Refuse To Be A Victim® Seminar |
$200 |
| Chief Range Safety Officer | 1 Day Must have NRA Basic Instructor Rating & RSO |
$250 |
Pre-qualification Is Required! All applicants MUST PROVE they have the basic knowledge and experience in the specific discipline of instruction to attend any of these courses.
If you are interested in becoming an NRA Certified Instructor, please contact us to receive a Pre-Course Questionnaire. Upon receipt, mail it to the address provided on the form. Without submitting a completed Pre-Course Questionnaire, you are unable to proceed with the process of becoming an NRA Certified Instructor.
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