NRA Instructor Courses
for Security Professionals

Become an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor

Since 1871, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has been a national leader in firearms education, with a mission to promote responsible, safe, and effective use of firearms. Becoming an NRA Certified Instructor means more than just being a skilled shooter — it requires the ability to confidently teach others the fundamentals of safe gun handling and marksmanship. Through NRA Instructor Training Courses, candidates gain the knowledge, instructional techniques, and leadership skills necessary to teach NRA Basic Firearm Training Programs across various disciplines.

Requirements to Become an NRA Instructor

To qualify as an NRA Certified Instructor, candidates must meet the following prerequisites:

• Complete the Basic Course First: You must first complete the NRA Basic Course in the discipline you wish to teach (e.g., NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting – Instructor Led Only, NRA Basic Rifle Shooting, etc.).

• Demonstrate Firearms Proficiency: A solid background in firearm safety and handling is required. Candidates must show previous firearms training and/or practical shooting experience. You must be thoroughly familiar with all action types within the discipline you’re seeking certification in.

• Pass Pre-Course Evaluation: Before entering the instructor course, you must successfully complete a pre-course questionnaire and demonstrate safe firearm handling and shooting skills through qualification exercises. These are administered by an NRA Certified Training Counselor.

• Complete Instructor Training: You must satisfactorily complete the NRA Instructor Training Course specific to your chosen discipline and earn a recommendation from the NRA Training Counselor conducting the course.

What You Will Learn During the NRA Instructor Course

Each NRA Instructor Course is discipline-specific and focuses on developing both instructional and technical competence. Topics covered include:

• NRA training structure, procedures, and ethics

• Public speaking and instructional presentation skills

• Use of lesson plans, training aids, and visual materials

• Classroom and range organization

• Team teaching methodology and course budgeting

• Evaluating and coaching new shooters

Courses emphasize interactive learning and role-play. Instructor candidates work in teams to deliver segments of the training to fellow participants acting as students. This hands-on model helps build confidence and ensures the instructor can effectively communicate critical safety protocols and marksmanship principles.

Who Conducts the Training?

Instructor certification courses are conducted by NRA Training Counselors—highly experienced and specially certified NRA instructors tasked with developing the next generation of trainers. Training Counselors evaluate candidates on:

• Firearms handling and instructional confidence

• Effective use of training materials

• Adherence to curriculum and NRA teaching standards

• Mastery of instructional delivery and communication

Upon successful completion, you’ll receive official NRA Instructor certification in your chosen discipline—equipping you to teach NRA Basic Firearms Courses and lead your community in responsible gun ownership.