Training Schedule
Handgun Instructor
Handgun / Shotgun Instructor
Tactical Shooting Instructor | Tactical Shotgun Instructor
Patrol Rifle Instructor | Select-Fire Instructor
Precision Rifle Instructor
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Equipment Requirements | Eligibility Requirements

The NRA was created in 1871 to promote firearm safety, training, and competitive proficiency. This commitment has continued and evolved to include law enforcement-specific training in 1960, with the creation of the Law Enforcement Division. Our schools are intended for public and private law enforcement officers and military personnel who are currently assigned, or are about to be assigned, to duties as law enforcement firearm instructors.

Here in the Law Enforcement Division, our commitment to the law enforcement community is to provide the highest quality, most up-to-date, cost effective, and comprehensive law enforcement firearm instructor training available. Our programs expose every student to a broad base of techniques, tactics, teaching methodologies, and technical knowledge in order to develop the skills required to effectively perform his or her role as a firearm instructor at the agency and/or academy level.

The law enforcement firearm instructor's job is to teach officers how to be safe, effective, and timely in the use of their firearms and tactics, and to win the lethal encounter. Our programs provide the hands-on training to help you teach your officers to win. NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor Development Schools develop and enhance both instructor skills and firearm handling skills of all students so they can effectively teach their officers to win lethal encounters. These schools are intended for public and private law enforcement officers and military personnel who are currently assigned, or about to be assigned, duties as law enforcement firearm instructors. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to develop and conduct safe, effective, reality-based and agency-related firearm training. Classroom instruction and practical exercises on the range provide a model for students to use in building their own agency programs. In addition, the school will enhance each student's firearm knowledge and handling skills. All classes and range exercises are conducted at the instructor level, with students conducting many of the range exercises to gain experience. Students are exposed to a wide variety of shooting techniques, training methods, and tactical philosophies, which allows them to choose what best serves their students.

We deliver state-of-the-art training with completely rewritten and updated student manuals covering the classroom and range work, presented in an indexed, comprehensive, reference guide format. We provide each student with an extensive student manual, not just an outline.

Our schools are week-long programs designed to stand alone, and may be presented separately or combined to meet regional or state mandates. Our schools are cost-effective and are conducted throughout the United States.

Our schools are designed to train and prepare the law enforcement officer to be a firearm instructor. Our schoolsARE NOTshooting schools and are not designed to teach officers how to shoot. Students who attend our firearm instructor development schools are expected to have a basic knowledge of the law enforcement firearms used and be able to safely and accurately use them. Without this basic background, students may find difficulty keeping pace with the instruction, practical exercises, and successful completion of the proficiency assessments. We expect all students to demonstrate safe gun handling at all times and be able to shoot consistent six-inch groups with a handgun at 15 yardsupon arrival at the school. Students must be physically capable of quickly and safely assuming the standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone positions, maintaining them for a period of time, and safely recovering from them without assistance. The ability to field strip and reassemble the duty firearm is a must as well.

Officers attending any of our schools should have their agency's authorized factory-trained armorer conduct a technical inspection of the firearms being brought to the school to ensure they are safe to fire, functioning reliably, and that the sight systems are solidly attached. Students should check the condition of ALL equipment they will be bringing to the school. The NRA provides no personnel or facilities to repair firearms on-site.

Each of our Instructor Development Schools consists of a minimum of forty-four (44) contact hours during a five (5) day school. Contact hours refers to actual instructional time in the classroom and on the range, and does not include travel time between the lodging and training site, meal times, or range clean up.Classes will be conducted from approximately 0800 to 1800 hours, Monday through Friday, plus one late night to accommodate reduced light shooting. 100% attendance is MANDATORY for successful school completion. Students must demonstrate teaching and shooting proficiency and pass a written examination in all but the tactical schools.

Tuition for all law enforcement firearm instructor development schools is $595. To apply now, download an application form and send it to us.

The $595 tuition is payable to NRA by check, credit card or purchase order, prior to the school. In addition, the hosting agency may charge a "range fee" to cover the cost of cardboard, staples, coffee, snacks and other out-of-pocket expenses. This fee is payable directly to the host on site at the first day of school. Range fees vary from $25-$50, see training schedule for specific amount, if any.

These schools are for law enforcement personnel ONLY. Only law enforcement duty-type firearms and equipment are acceptable. DO NOT BRINGcompetition guns or equipment. If you are in any doubt about your eligibility and/or what equipment is acceptable, contact the Law Enforcement Division at (703) 267-1640 or e-mail us at LE@nrahq.org.

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Eligibility

Specific eligibility requirements must be met prior to attending any NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor school. Registration in any of these programs must be made on the proper forms with appropriate documentation attached. Registration confirmation to attend must be received from NRA prior to arriving at any school. All applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. who must also be able to lawfully possess firearms and ammunition. Additionally, applicants must meet one of the following six criteria:

1. A "Sworn" law enforcement officer - This is defined as someone vested with the constitutional or statutory authority to detain and/or arrest, who is authorized to carry a firearm in the furtherance of their duties, is typically employed by a federal, state, county or municipal organization and has a minimum of 3-years experience* as such. These may include but are not limited to police officers, sheriffs, special agents, marshals, troopers, park rangers, land & natural resource officers, marine officers, animal wardens, tribal police, correctional officers and/or railroad police. Reserve, auxiliary and/or part-time law enforcement officers who are "sworn" as defined above, are also eligible.
   
   
2. A retired or previously employed "Sworn" law enforcement officer - This is defined as someone meeting the definition of "Sworn" officer above, who has retired with tenure, through disability or who has otherwise separated from their agency prior to retirement and had a minimum of 3-years experience* as such.
   
   
3. A licensed "Armed" private security officer - This is defined as someone who is licensed by a federal, state or municipal regulatory agency to provide "Armed" personal protection or other physical security services and has a minimum of 3-years experience* as such.
   
   
4. A member of the United States Armed Forces - This is defined as someone presently obligated to the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, any of their Reserve components, or National Guard. Members of the military must provide a letter from their unit or command specifically requesting their admittance into the school in support of their units' mission. Regrettably, former members of the military, (those who have retired, been discharged or have resigned their commissions), are not eligible to attend and once separated, must then establish eligibility through one of the other criterions.
   
   
5. A full-time civilian firearm instructor who is employed by a public law enforcement agency - This is defined as someone employed full-time in a civilian capacity by a public law enforcement agency or organization to provide law enforcement specific firearm training to its "Sworn" law enforcement personnel. A letter from the Chief, Sheriff, or other appropriate command person attesting to their full-time employment status and experience will be required of anyone attempting to establish eligibility under this section.
   
   
6. A full-time civilian contractor - This is defined as someone employed by a U.S. company or corporation actively engaged in a verifiable GSA contract to provide firearm training or other armed personal / physical security protection types of service to the U.S. government or military. A letter from a program manager or other appropriate individual attesting to the company's contractual obligation and the individual's current employment status and experience is required of anyone attempting to establish eligibility under this section.

Documentation establishing one's eligibility will be required when submitting all applications. NRA retains the right to accept or decline any application.

* "Experience" can be any combination of documented sworn law enforcement and/or armed private security work. Experience need not all be with a current employer, and does not necessarily need to be continuous or even obtained through an unbroken chain of employment. If your employment experience isn't continuous and/or all with a single employer though, you will be required to provide appropriate documentation from the additional sources.

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Equipment Requirements

The following equipment is REQUIRED and must be provided by the student for ALL firearm instructor development schools:

1. Duty Handgun - A duty-type, law enforcement handgun.
2. Magazines or Speedloader - If using a semi-automatic pistol, bring a minimum of 4 magazines, (5 if the magazine capacity is less than 10). If using a revolver, bring a minimum of 5 speed loaders.
3. Holster, Belt, and Ammunition Carrier Pouches - The holster must be department or agency issue, duty-type (patrol), strong-side directional draw, equipped with a handgun retention device and securely fastened to the gun belt. Speedloader and/or magazine pouches must also be equipped with a retention device.
4. Eye Protection, Ear Protection, and Baseball Style Cap - Safety glasses must be of the wrap around type or employ side panels. If wearing prescription glasses, they must be covered with safety glasses unless they meet the above requirements. Ear plugs or ear muffs (preferred), and a baseball cap with bill to deflect ejected brass must also be worn. NOTE: Students will NOT be allowed on the range without wraparound or side-panel safety glasses.
5. Appropriate Clothing - Students should bring appropriate clothing to participate in the range exercises consistent with prevailing weather conditions. Range exercises will be conducted in inclement weather unless a safety hazard exists. NOTE: Shorts are NOT appropriate law enforcement range clothing.
6. Duty Flashlight - Law enforcement, hand-held, duty-type flashlight capable of one-handed operation.
7. Note-Taking Material - Pen, pencil, and paper to take notes with in the classroom and on the range. A jumbo permanent marker for use on the range.
8. Cleaning Equipment - Appropriate cleaning equipment for the firearm being utilized at the school. NOTE: There is no time allotted during the school for the cleaning of firearms. Students will be expected to perform cleaning of their respective firearms on their own time.
9. Knee and Elbow Pads - Knee and elbow pads are optional for kneeling and prone position shooting.

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The following are school-specific requirements in addition to the above.

Handgun Instructor
This school is our premier handgun instructor school. Students are taught classroom instructional methods, how to effectively teach firearm operator skills, and how to develop dynamic and practical range training relevant to their agency's needs. Drills on the range enforce skills in the areas of coaching, accurate shot placement, multiple threats, decision-making, shooting while moving, identifying threats and firing in reduced light, tactical use of cover, concealed-carry training, one-handed malfunction clearing, firing from unconventional positions, and use of verbal commands. Each student makes a classroom presentation and must demonstrate his or her understanding of the course content through a written exam and pass a shooting skills proficiency course. In addition to the above mentioned required equipment, the following areALSOnecessary for this school:

• Back-up or off-duty firearm and equipment. May be a duty pistol or revolver. Holster may be IWB, ankle, paddle, fanny-pack, or other suitable concealed carry holster. At least one magazine pouch and 3 magazines or speedloaders are required.
• Cover garment for concealed carry range exercises.
• 800 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition.
• 400 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition (for off-duty pistol).

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Handgun/Shotgun Instructor
This school compresses the handgun instructor school to 3 days and adds 2 days of shotgun instructor training. Student classroom presentations, concealed-carry training, and unconventional shooting positions are replaced with shotgun marksmanship and handling classroom presentations and range work. Shotgun drills include firing from cover, use of kneeling and prone positions, moving targets, malfunction clearing, firing on the move, and transitioning to the handgun. In addition to the above mentioned required equipment, the following areALSOnecessary for this school:

• Duty-type, law enforcement 12 gauge pump or semi-auto police shotgun equipped with a sling.
• 900 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition.
• 50 rounds of duty or training 12 gauge slugs.
• 20 rounds of duty or training 12 gauge 00 buckshot.
• 100 rounds of birdshot (#6, #8 or #9).

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Tactical Shooting Instructor

The Tactical Shooting Instructor School is intended for the experienced and previously-trained and/or certified law enforcement firearm instructor looking to take his/her skills and agency's training programs to the next level. Basic MOI or "Method of Instruction" related lessons are not included in this school. This school is geared towards providing the law enforcement firearm instructor with the ability to create and implement sophisticated and practical agency-specific firearm training programs. Utilizing the NRA's "Street to Range" concept of training, the law enforcement firearm instructor will also come away with ideas and additional tools to provide their agency personnel with additional safe, realistic and tactically sound training on a realistic law enforcement firearm training budget. Students will spend five days engaged in thoughtful and provocative discussion, while addressing and responding to various range-run training scenarios utilizing their duty pistol and rifle. In addition to 100% daily attendance, there is a 20-question written test and 50-round rifle/pistol qualification course of fire that must be passed to successfully complete this course.

Student instructors MUST possess strong firearm handling skills PRIOR to attending this school. The program concentrates on advanced shooting skills, use of the "safety circle" concept, pivoting and turning to fire, movement while firing, unconventional shooting positions, two-man patrol tactics, use of the back-up and off-duty pistol, how to introduce cost-effective decision-making training and stress inoculation into your programs, as well as reduced-light training with the pistol and rifle.

Those considering attending this course must have a good working knowledge of ALL the firearms he/she will be using during this school and must have successfully completed a recognized law enforcement firearm instructor school that included general methods of instruction, AND have successfully completed a basic law enforcement or military rifle operators course. THIS is not a beginners school, and those attending who demonstrate a lack of basic handling skills with any of their firearms WILL be asked to leave.There will be no exceptions!

Some examples of acceptable previous firearm instructor training are:

• NRA Law Enforcement HG/SG, Handgun, Patrol Rifle or Select-fire Instructor;
• A State, POST or regional academy recognized firearm instructor school;
• Any federally-run firearm instructor school (eg: FBI, DEA, FLETC, etc.);
• Firearm instructor schools conducted by recognized law enforcement training divisions of the firearm manufacturing industry (eg: Sig Sauer Academy, H&K Training Division, Smith & Wesson Academy, etc.)

*A copy of the course completion certificate must accompany the school application when enrolling for the Tactical Shooting Instructor School.

In addition to the aforementioned equipment, the following is ALSO necessary for this school:

• A duty type, semi-automatic or pump-action, law enforcement carbine or rifle. (Bolt action rifles and/or those equipped with scoped optics are not suitable for use at this schools and will not be permitted to be used..) Examples of suitable types of rifles would be:
  • Any law enforcement pistol caliber carbine chambered in a recognized standard U.S. law enforcement accepted caliber (9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP, .357 Sig, .45 Gap, etc.)
  • Any law enforcement rifle caliber carbine or rifle chambered in .223 Remington, 5.56 NATO, .308 Winchester or 7.62 NATO. (Rim-fire cartridges or rifles chambered to fire ammunition smaller than .22 caliber are not acceptable.)
• All rifles MUST be minimally equipped with a basic two-point sling.
• A minimum of three long gun magazines (capable of holding a minimum of 20 rounds each) as appropriate.
• Secondary/back-up and/or off-duty handgun - A secondary or off-duty type handgun capable of being carried in a concealed location with an appropriate holster. Handgun may be a revolver or other semi-automatic. Holster for off-duty handgun drills may be IWB, ankle, paddle, fanny-pack, or other suitable concealed carry holster. Holster for back-up handgun drills should be of the same type actually used on the street.
• At least three magazines and/or speedloaders, and a pouch to carry them on a belt, are required for the secondary pistol. Duty belt and equipment are NOT suitable for back-up and off-duty exercises.
• 800 rounds of primary duty pistol ammunition.
• 800 rounds of rifle caliber ammunition.
• 50 rounds for the back-up/off-duty handgun.
• An old shirt or T-shirt that may be used on a target for practical exercises.
• A cover garment or vest for concealed carry range exercises.

*NOTE - The use of the shotgun in theNRA Tactical Shooting Instructor Schoolprogram has been discontinued.

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Tactical Shotgun Instructor

The shotgun is one of the most underutilized tools available to officers because their training has failed to instill confidence in their abilities and eliminate the hesitation they have towards firing the shotgun. This school begins with a focus on the fundamentals of both pump and semi-automatic shotguns, ammunition, combat firing techniques, and the shotgun as a multi-purpose launching platform. Advanced range work includes moving targets, firing on the move, multiple threats, decision-making, select loading, speed reloading techniques, transitioning to handgun, one-hand malfunction clearing, identifying threats and firing in reduced light conditions. Students design a tactical course of fire and are responsible for developing a lesson plan and running fellow students through their course at the end of the week.(Officers must have successfully completed a law enforcement firearm instructor school that included general methods of instruction prior to attending this school. This is an advanced tactical shooting instructor school, and is not to be considered a basic shooting or methods of firearm instruction school.) In addition to the above mentioned equipment, the following areALSO necessary for this school:

• Duty-type, law enforcement 12 gauge pump or semi-auto police shotgun equipped with a sling.
• 100 rounds of 12 gauge slug.
• 100 rounds of 12 gauge 00 buckshot.
• 500 rounds of birdshot (#6, #8 or #9).
• 100 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition.

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Patrol Rifle Instructor

This school centers on the patrol rifle for officers using iron sights or optics (which must be removed for zeroing exercises). The classroom portion informs students how to teach basic fundamentals of rifle marksmanship and handling, how to zero iron-sighted rifles, and discusses zeroing policy and liability concerns. Range work quickly moves from basic marksmanship to tactical movement, use of cover, various firing positions, pivots and turns, use of the safety circle concept, reloading under stress, firing on the move, multiple threats, decision-making, and reduced light threat identification and firing. Students design a tactical course of fire and are responsible for developing a lesson plan and running fellow students through their course at the end of the week. (Officers attending this class are expected to be capable of firing 6 inch groups with a rifle at 50 yards from the prone, sitting, kneeling and standing positions, and possess the ability to make accurate rifle sight adjustments, field strip, reassemble, load and unload their respective rifles, prior to arrival. THIS is not a basic operator school.) In addition to the above mentioned equipment, the following areALSO necessary for this school:

• Duty-type, law enforcement patrol rifle, (rifle or pistol caliber is acceptable), equipped with a sling.
• At least three rifle magazines with a capacity of 20 rounds or more.
• 1,200 rounds of duty or training rifle ammunition.
• 100 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition.
• Waterproof ground cover for prone zeroing exercises.

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Select-Fire Instructor

This school is designed for the select-fire firearm with full-automatic capability and applies to both submachine guns and rifles. Classroom presentations cover how to teach basic fundamentals of marksmanship, handling, zeroing, practical range drill development, and liability issues. Range work covers marksmanship, operating techniques, use of cover, various firing positions, pivots and turns, use of the safety circle concept, reloading under stress, firing on the move, multiple threats, decision-making, reduced light threat identification and firing, semi-automatic, burst and automatic firing trigger control, and handgun transition techniques. Students design a tactical course of fire and are responsible for developing a lesson plan and running fellow students through their course at the end of the week.

In addition to the above mentioned equipment, the following areALSO necessary for this school:

• Duty-type, law enforcement select-fire rifle or submachine gun capable of being fired single shot andfull-auto, equipped with a sling.
• At least three magazines with a capacity of 20 rounds or more.
• 1,500 rounds of duty or training rifle ammunition.
• 100 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition.

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Precision (Scoped) Rifle Instructor

This school increases the abilities and knowledge of law enforcement firearm instructors involved in teaching long-range scoped rifle programs. Classroom presentations cover long-range rifle marksmanship fundamentals, tactical rifle handling, rifle shooting positions, zeroing a scoped rifle, the tactical use of cover and concealment, conducting practical long-range rifle range training, ammunition and equipment, use of trajectory charts and rifle data books, range estimation, and reduced light training. Range work includes zeroing, position work, precision single shots, rapid loading and firing, various support firing positions, multiple targets, angle firing, reduced light firing, firing from cover, handgun transition and threat identification. Students design a tactical course of fire and are responsible for developing a lesson plan and running fellow students through their course at the end of the week. (Officers must have successfully completed a recognized law enforcement firearm instructor school that included general methods of instruction prior to attending this school. Prospective students should be capable of shooting consistent 1 groups at 100 yards from a prone position, and must possess the knowledge and ability to make accurate rifle scope adjustments, field strip, reassemble, load and unload the rifle prior to attending this school.)In addition to the above mentioned equipment, the following isALSO necessary for this school:

• Duty-type, law enforcement optically-sighted, bolt or semi-automatic rifle, caliber .223 or larger, equipped with a sling, and capable of holding at least four rounds within the rifle's integral or detachable box magazine. The rifle, ammunition, optical sight and shooter combination should be capable of consistently firing a five shot group not larger than one and one-half inches at 100 yards from a prone firing position.
• The optical sight should be of the silhouette target-type, equipped with micrometer scale and turret-type elevation and windage adjustment knobs which can be turned with the fingers and have both tactile and audible click adjustments. Standard hunting-type optical sights, (coin or screwdriver adjustments), are not suitable for this school. A duplex-type or Mil-dot reticle is recommended.
• 500 rounds of duty or training rifle ammunition.
• 50 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition.
• Bipod and/or sandbags.
• Tripod mounted spotting scope and/or binoculars.
• Cleaning equipment (rifles will be cleaned frequently during the school).
• Waterproof ground cover or shooting mat.

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