NRA RSO
NRA InstructorIf you are a certified NRA Instructor or NRA Coach and are interested in becoming an NRA Certified Range Safety Officer by home validation, you need to complete the following steps:
Call 1-800-336-7402 to order your RSO Student Packet (Item #13520, unit cost $17.00 + shipping), or order it online at the Program Materials Center. The examination, answer sheet and application form are included in the student packet.
Study the material, take the examination, and mark your answers on the answer sheet. You will need a score of 90% or higher on the RSO examination to pass.
Mail your answer sheet, application and fee to:
NRA Training Department
11250 Waples Mill Rd.
Fairfax, VA 22030
The processing and certification fees are as follows:
Processing fee: Member $5.00; non-Member $10.00
Certification fee: Use the NRA Instructor/RSO Rate Calculation sheet attached to the application form to calculate your certification fee.
This fee can be paid by Check, Money Order or Credit Card. Do not send cash.
If you have any questions, please call (703) 267-1420.
Thank you for your interest in becoming an NRA Certified Range Safety Officer.
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
METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADING COURSE
NRA Certified Reloading Instructor
SHOTGUN SHELL RELOADING COURSE
NRA Certified Reloading Instructor
RANGE SAFETY OFFICER COURSE
NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer Instructor
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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. Certifiedâ€"90% or higher. Assistantâ€"85% or higher. Apprenticeâ€"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).
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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 Department at 703-267-1430.
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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.
