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Here is the detailed information you need to know in order to become a Certified NRA Instructor regardless of the discipline you are interested in.

NRA Basic Instructor Training Requirements


NRA Basic Instructor Training



Are you someone interested in teaching others how to shoot or shoot better? If so, the NRA Instructor program is for you. Many people want to share their knowledge of shooting with others as a responsibility towards their community and society as a whole. However, if you choose to teach shooting skills to others, you can’t merely rely on your shooting skills. You have to learn how to teach, to share the knowledge you have efficiently. To become an NRA Instructor and teach NRA programs, you have to meet certain requirements that qualify you to become a certified NRA instructor.

Prerequisites for Being an NRA Instructor in any discipline


Here are some of the requirements that you have to fulfill before becoming an NRA instructor.
  • Before you are allowed into the Instructor Candidate program, you will need to take and pass the student course in the discipline you are wanting to teach.
  • You will also be required to take the NRA Basic Instructor Training course as an Instructor Candidate before you can enroll in a specific discipline. This course is good for 2 years so you can add on additional NRA Instructor Disciplines without having to take this course again.
  • Since you are going to be teaching students a specific shooting discipline, you will have to get an Instructor certification in that discipline. For instance, you need an NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Instructor certification to be an instructor in that discipline.
  • You have to prove that you can handle firearms well, and that you act safely and responsibly with them. You will also have to show some aptitude in your shooting skill in the NRA discipline you want to teach.
  • An NRA Appointed Training Counselor will conduct a pre-course assessment and qualification for each Instructor Candidate. The qualification will be in the form of exercises and a questionnaire during the course.
  • You must complete the certification testing for the discipline you want to teach successfully.
  • An endorsement from your Training Counselor is another one of the requirements.

What to Expect from Your NRA Instructor Development


  • You will have to learn the procedures and policies of the NRA Basic Instructor training course, and the discipline you want to teach.
  • You will learn the training methodology and practice public speaking.
  • You will learn how to use training aids and work as a training team.
  • You will receive student packets and lesson plans.
  • You can expect your class to be between 4-12 Candidates.
  • You will work with each other teaching segments of the student materials.

If you are wanting to gain the skills and confidence to teach others to learn to shoot pistols and rifles as an NRA Certified Pistol or Rifle Instructor, or perhaps protect themselves with a defensive firearm as an NRA Certified Personal Protection Instructor, become a certified NRA Range safety officer, just learn more about firearms through an NRA Certified Home Firearm Safety program, or become a Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor to help others create a personal safety plan of their own, join one of our NRA Instructor training programs.

NRA Instructor courses are discipline specific. During the Basic Instructor Training 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.

Instructor training courses are conducted by NRA Training Counselors. Training Counselors are active and experienced instructors who have been certified by NRA to train experienced shooters to teach others to shoot. 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.

What do I need to bring?


  • 3 ring binder and note taking materials
  • Good Attitude

You will also need to CLICK HERE to fill out the required NRA Instructor Training Program Pre-Course Questionnaire prior to your attendance in an NRA Instructor course.
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  • NRA Instructor FAQs
    • How do I activate my NRA credentials or renew my NRA credentials?

      Please click this link to download the PDF file with instructions.


    • What is the NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT)?
      During the Basic Instructor Training 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. This is an important part of learning to become an NRA Certified Instructor and it is a requirement for all NRA disciplines. Complete information can be found on our NRA Instructor Development page.
    • How can I become certified as an NRA Pistol Instructor?
      The NRA Pistol Instructor certification requires you take the NRA Basic Student Course, the NRA BIT (if you haven't had it in the past 2 years), and the NRA Pistol Instructor course. Complete information can be found on our NRA Instructor Development page.
    • How can I become certified as an NRA Rifle Instructor?
      The NRA Rifle Instructor certification requires you take the NRA Basic Rifle Student Course, the NRA BIT (if you haven't had it in the past 2 years), and the NRA Rifle Instructor course. Complete information can be found on our NRA Instructor Development page.
    • How can I become certified as an NRA Personal Protection Instructor?
      The NRA Personal Protection Instructor discipline has two parts: NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home and NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home. Both require you to have a current BIT (within the last two years), and be a current NRA Pistol Instructor.

      In addition, the NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Instructor certification requires you to have taken the NRA Basics of Personal Protection Inside the home Student course.

      The NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home prerequisites require you to be currently certified as an NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Instructor and have taken the NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home Student course.

      Complete information can be found on our NRA Instructor Development page.
    • How can I become certified as an NRA Reloading Instructor?
      The NRA Reloading Instructor certification requires you take the NRA BIT (if you haven't had it in the past 2 years), and the NRA Reloading Instructor course. Complete information can be found on our NRA Instructor Development page.
    • How can I become certified as an NRA Home Firearm Safety Instructor?
      The NRA Home Firearm Safety Instructor certification requires you take the NRA BIT (if you haven't had it in the past 2 years), and the NRA Home Firearm Safety Instructor course. Complete information can be found on our NRA Instructor Development page.
    • How can I become certified as an NRA Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor?
      To become an NRA Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor, you just attend a Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor Development course in person or a distance learning course from the NRA. Complete information can be found on our NRA Instructor Development page.
    • How can I become certified as an NRA Range Safety Officer?
      To become an NRA Range Safety Officer, you must attend an NRA Range Safety Officer training course in person or a distance learning course from the NRA. Complete information can be found on our NRA Instructor Development page.
    • How can I become certified as an NRA Chief Range Safety Officer?
      The NRA Chief Range Safety Officer certification requires you take the NRA Range Safety Officer Course, the NRA BIT (if you haven't had it in the past 2 years), and the NRA Chief Range Safety Officer Instructor course. Complete information can be found on our NRA Instructor Development page.
    • Can you teach me to be a good NRA trainer?
      We can help you become a NRA Trainer. How good you are depends on several factors. How hard are you willing to work at being a good instructor? How willing are you to continue your education as an instructor? Being a good instructor isn't about taking a class, it's about investing you your ability to convey that important information to your student.

      A.D.S.I. states it like this:

      1. I am committed to the safety of my students, and hold that the expected benefit of any training activity must significantly outweigh any known or perceived risk of that activity.
      2. I believe that it is my responsibility to understand not just what I’m teaching, but WHY I’m teaching any technique or concept, or offering specific advice.
      3. I recognize that defensive shooting skills, along with the drills and gear used, are inherently specialized and usually distinct from those of target shooting, competition and hunting endeavors.
      4. I will encourage my students to ask questions about course material, and I will answer them with thorough and objective explanations.
      5. I understand that Integrity and Professionalism are subjective traits and I strive to maintain high levels of both. I am capable of, and willing to, articulate the reasons for the way I conduct my courses and how I interact with students & peers.
      6. I believe that it is valuable to engage my peers in constructive conversation about differences in technique and concept, with the goal of mutual education and evolution.
      7. I believe that the best instructor is an avid student, and I will strive to continually upgrade my own skills and knowledge. As part of this belief, I understand that my own teachings need to be subject to critique and open to evolution.
    • Can I get certified to become an NRA Instructor online?
      We do not certify anyone online to become an instructor of any kind. Few, if any, states allow that kind of training to become certified as a firearms instructor of any sort. Distance learning (online training) has its place in the learning process, but physical skillsets must be witnessed and objectives met in class and on the range.
    • Can I host you for NRA Instructor training?
      Yes we can be hosted for NRA Instructor Training and Development. Please see our Host an Event page for further information.
    • How does the NRA Instructor Portal work? Is there a user guide?
      Download NRAI Portal User Guide Here
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