Instructor Development Schools

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 must be received from NRA prior to attending 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 three-years' experience* as such. These may include but are not limited to police officers, sheriffs, special agents, marshals, troopers, park rangers, land and 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 three-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 three-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 criteria.
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.

Physical skills - All students must be physically capable of safely completing all range drills with both their right and left hands

Safety - Safety is our number one priority and is EVERYONE'S responsibility. As such, safety violations will not be tolerated. Students deemed by the NRA instructors to be unsafe will be asked to leave and may not be entitled to a refund of their monies. A solid understanding of the English language, (conversationally fluent, as well as read and write in English), is required in order to attend the NRA Law Enforcement programs.

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 four magazines (five if the magazine capacity is less than 10). If using a revolver, bring a minimum of five speedloaders.
3. Holster, Belt and Ammunition Carrier Pouches: The holster must be department or agency issued, duty-type (patrol), strong-side directional draw, equipped with a handgun retention device and securely fastened to the gun belt. Speedloaders and/or magazine pouches must also be equipped with retention devices.
4. Eye Protection, Ear Protection and Baseball Style Cap: Safety glasses must be of the wraparound 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 Materials: Pen, pencil and paper to take notes in the classroom and on the range, and 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.