Does anyone have experience with the NRA Instructor path?

[BarneyLongden]

I have decades as a sports coach at a high level as well as some experience doing classroom software instruction in a Fortune 500 environment. I am now semi-retired and am wondering what the path to becoming a basic firearms instructor would entail.

What I see on the NRA site makes it look like it only takes 2 basic classes followed by one “Instructor” class? Maybe 4 days in total? Is that right? I am not looking for a shortcut - I am more looking for the journey. Is the NRA just the wrong place to look?

 

[ikeo1]

I have decades as a sports coach at a high level as well as some experience doing classroom software instruction in a Fortune 500 environment. I am now semi-retired and am wondering what the path to becoming a basic firearms instructor would entail.

What I see on the NRA site makes it look like it only takes 2 basic classes followed by one “Instructor” class? Maybe 4 days in total? Is that right? I am not looking for a shortcut - I am more looking for the journey. Is the NRA just the wrong place to look?

If you’re looking to become an instructor, the NRA Instructor series is just the first step. The class kinda sucks and super basic BUT it’s nationally accredited. You also can get firearms instructor insurance with it so it’s step 1. Insurance is step 2.

Pick your classes. Then specialize then advertise. Each module is a type of instructor. Basic Pistol, Rifle, shotgun, ccw, etc. start with pistol. It’s a 5 day class if I remember 3 days instructor 2 days specialized. Then if you want other modules you can skip 1 or two days.

After you get the basics you can go into the areas you like. Instagram instructors are real hot these days.

 

[BarneyLongden]

If you’re looking to become an instructor, the NRA Instructor series is just the first step. The class kinda sucks and super basic BUT it’s nationally accredited. You also can get firearms instructor insurance with it so it’s step 1. Insurance is step 2.

Pick your classes. Then specialize then advertise. Each module is a type of instructor. Basic Pistol, Rifle, shotgun, ccw, etc. start with pistol. It’s a 5 day class if I remember 3 days instructor 2 days specialized. Then if you want other modules you can skip 1 or two days.

After you get the basics you can go into the areas you like. Instagram instructors are real hot these days.

Instagram Instructors I do already have 30k IG followers but that is not the path.

I am not sure how truly serious I am about this. Again I am semi-retired and looking for something to do that does not feel like work.

My hot button is gun owners who have zero experience. Just last week I stood next to a nice but not expert 60+ year-old woman at the range who was letting her friend shoot pistols for the first time ever. I almost left the range because for a minute I wondered if I would get shot. I intervened enough so I felt safe. Looking back I should have gotten a range officer.

Also, I can not tell you how many times I have been in a gun store and seen people who do not know anything buying guns. Seems likely that unless they choose to get a CCW they will not get any training. These people are dangerous. I would think teaching at this level would be rewarding. I will likely never be qualified to teach any kind of tactical class nor would want to.

I think it is dubious to turn this into a business but it is rolling it around in my head. Sounds better then part time driving a UPS truck.

 

[ikeo1]

I am not sure how truly serious I am about this. Again I am semi-retired and looking for something to do that does not feel like work.

Coincidentally this is why I built this site and got my certifications too. I thought I could make some $$ doing something I enjoyed and the 2A community. This is a tricky space.

It’s not expensive to try out. The only thing is how you would advertise for clients.

 

[ugimports]

I have decades as a sports coach at a high level as well as some experience doing classroom software instruction in a Fortune 500 environment. I am now semi-retired and am wondering what the path to becoming a basic firearms instructor would entail.

What I see on the NRA site makes it look like it only takes 2 basic classes followed by one “Instructor” class? Maybe 4 days in total? Is that right? I am not looking for a shortcut - I am more looking for the journey. Is the NRA just the wrong place to look?

Check out bayprofs.org if you are in the sf bay area. I'm a volunteer instructor there and took all, but my RSO class with them. In all I've got: Basic Pistol Instructor, Basic Rifle Instructor, CRSO, Personal Protection Inside the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, CCW, and Refuse to be a Victim. Outside of those I also have USCCA CCW Instructor (which I took with Bayprofs coordination with USCCA).

For most of the NRA instructor series classes you need:
The Basic Class a student will take
BIT - Basic Instructor Training (need this every 2 years if you're taking another instructor class)
The Instructor Class

So for pistol it would be 3 days with Bayprofs. Some may offer this over more days because they can't fit the allotted hours in less days based on their facility.

As @ikeo1 mentioned Basic Pistol is the best place to start. Depending on your insurance you may need an instructor cert in each discipline you intend to teach.

For example, if you get NRA Basic Pistol Instructor that doesn't necessarily mean you can now teach Rifle. Keep in mind this is more from an insurance liability standpoint vs your actual ability to do it.

Also as @ikeo1 mentioned the big advantage of starting with the NRA series is the national recognition.

NRA Basic Pistol is also a pre-req for CCW Instructor if you go down that route.

You may want to volunteer with bayprofs initially to get your feet wet on the process (not a requirement). If you volunteer instruct some of the instructor courses will be at a discount. Since bayprofs is a non-profit we fully realize we are training "competitors" (those who will train for profit). Not a problem and not a conflict of interest. I've met a few folks that were helping with classes that fully intended to run their own training orgs in the future.

Also to add - if you volunteer with bayprofs you don't need your own separate insurance. They'll subsidize most of the cost of that (I think I pay $25 or $50 a yr). Additionally, bayprofs teaches basic pistol the most throughout the year so you will have every opportunity to work with "newbs" and even some who are trying to get over their fear of firearms. I think you can offer to sit in on classes if you just want to see how they are run. Contact bayprofs – at – bayprofs – dot – org - if you're interested in learning more.

 

[BarneyLongden]

Check out bayprofs.org if you are in the sf bay area. I'm a volunteer instructor there and took all, but my RSO class with them. In all I've got: Basic Pistol Instructor, Basic Rifle Instructor, CRSO, Personal Protection Inside the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, CCW, and Refuse to be a Victim. Outside of those I also have USCCA CCW Instructor (which I took with Bayprofs coordination with USCCA).

For most of the NRA instructor series classes you need:
The Basic Class a student will take
BIT - Basic Instructor Training (need this every 2 years if you're taking another instructor class)
The Instructor Class

So for pistol it would be 3 days with Bayprofs. Some may offer this over more days because they can't fit the allotted hours in less days based on their facility.

As @ikeo1 mentioned Basic Pistol is the best place to start. Depending on your insurance you may need an instructor cert in each discipline you intend to teach.

For example, if you get NRA Basic Pistol Instructor that doesn't necessarily mean you can now teach Rifle. Keep in mind this is more from an insurance liability standpoint vs your actual ability to do it.

Also as @ikeo1 mentioned the big advantage of starting with the NRA series is the national recognition.

NRA Basic Pistol is also a pre-req for CCW Instructor if you go down that route.

You may want to volunteer with bayprofs initially to get your feet wet on the process (not a requirement). If you volunteer instruct some of the instructor courses will be at a discount. Since bayprofs is a non-profit we fully realize we are training "competitors" (those who will train for profit). Not a problem and not a conflict of interest. I've met a few folks that were helping with classes that fully intended to run their own training orgs in the future.

Also to add - if you volunteer with bayprofs you don't need your own separate insurance. They'll subsidize most of the cost of that (I think I pay $25 or $50 a yr). Additionally, bayprofs teaches basic pistol the most throughout the year so you will have every opportunity to work with "newbs" and even some who are trying to get over their fear of firearms. I think you can offer to sit in on classes if you just want to see how they are run. Contact bayprofs – at – bayprofs – dot – org - if you're interested in learning more.

BayProfs is a 3 hr drive for me but I am interested. My other job is winding down for the year as the weather cools off. Thanks for the info.

 

[BarneyLongden]

Coincidentally this is why I built this site and got my certifications too. I thought I could make some $$ doing something I enjoyed and the 2A community. This is a tricky space.

It’s not expensive to try out. The only thing is how you would advertise for clients.

You are exactly correct that advertising for clients is the worst part of my plan.

I guess if I take all the classes, get all the certs, and become more competent but never make a cent I would still be a better shooter. That would not be terrible. I should be looking for a way to make a few dollars but the wife has a great job

 

[ugimports]

You are exactly correct that advertising for clients is the worst part of my plan.

I guess if I take all the classes, get all the certs, and become more competent but never make a cent I would still be a better shooter. That would not be terrible. I should be looking for a way to make a few dollars but the wife has a great job

The volunteering I do is a way for me to "give back" to the community in a way.

I do 2-3 basic pistol classes a year and try to help with all their CCW classes (they have 3 in 2025 I believe). I try to volunteer ~once a quarter depending what my work schedule is like.

 

[BubbaLa88]

Instagram Instructors I do already have 30k IG followers but that is not the path.

I am not sure how truly serious I am about this. Again I am semi-retired and looking for something to do that does not feel like work.

My hot button is gun owners who have zero experience. Just last week I stood next to a nice but not expert 60+ year-old woman at the range who was letting her friend shoot pistols for the first time ever. I almost left the range because for a minute I wondered if I would get shot. I intervened enough so I felt safe. Looking back I should have gotten a range officer.

Also, I can not tell you how many times I have been in a gun store and seen people who do not know anything buying guns. Seems likely that unless they choose to get a CCW they will not get any training. These people are dangerous. I would think teaching at this level would be rewarding. I will likely never be qualified to teach any kind of tactical class nor would want to.

I think it is dubious to turn this into a business but it is rolling it around in my head. Sounds better then part time driving a UPS truck.

I help teach women on target, don't run my own classes for several reasons. But at my local range ,if I see something like you described, I will hand them my card and essentially give a free lesson. And tell them about the women on target classes . My RSO' S are happy and no accidents happen.

 

[ChestnutBleach]

The volunteering I do is a way for me to "give back" to the community in a way.

I do 2-3 basic pistol classes a year and try to help with all their CCW classes (they have 3 in 2025 I believe). I try to volunteer ~once a quarter depending what my work schedule is like.

Thought about doing something similar; volunteering to do very basic training and a 1st gun range experience type support. My focus would be on people that have never shot a gun and are hesitant to do so. Figured it’s that hurdle a lot of people need help with. If they get over that hurdle, it’ll increase the chance they’ll be gun owners. IMO, we need a lot more educated gun owners to support our rights. That’s how I’m thinking about ‘giving back.’ No interest in making money off this basic training/support. I’ll be more serious about this when we’re empty nesters.

Does the BIT course cover this? Or would another course(s) be needed as well?

 

[Jon F]

Thought about doing something similar; volunteering to do very basic training and a 1st gun range experience type support. My focus would be on people that have never shot a gun and are hesitant to do so. Figured it’s that hurdle a lot of people need help with. If they get over that hurdle, it’ll increase the chance they’ll be gun owners. IMO, we need a lot more educated gun owners to support our rights. That’s how I’m thinking about ‘giving back.’ No interest in making money off this basic training/support. I’ll be more serious about this when we’re empty nesters.

Does the BIT course cover this? Or would another course(s) be needed as well?

BIT is focused on the business and administrative side of conducting NRA classes. The instructor courses are focused on how to teach the specific class of firearm or skill.