Does it mean anything to you when someone says they're an NRA certified instructor?

The NRA currently has over 150,000 certified instructors. To become one only costs about $100-$200 and a couple days of your time. There is a written test and a shooting test. At my certification class there were 7 of us. I have no idea how others did on the written test, but based on what I saw at the range, only two of us passed the shooting portion. I still bet the other 5 got their certification anyway.

To maintain that certification all you have to do is send the NRA $30 every three years. There's no re-qualification requirement and there's no requirement to hold even one class. I personally know more than 10 people who say they're NRA instructors and have been for more than 20 years, but have never taught or attended a class beyond the initial. I wonder how many who call themselves NRA instructors actually teach?

So, I ask again, does someone saying they're an NRA certified instructor mean anything to you?

__________________
Freedom isn't free.

Not any more than someone telling me they’re a PhD. It’s about the man, not the title.

__________________
Halfway and one more step

I agree that it probably doesn't mean a whole lot. As for the shooting, I shoot handguns and rifles reasonably well. I can barely hit a flying cow with a shotgun. Yet, I have successfully taught a number of young people how to shoot a shotgun. Most of them are WAY better than me. Kinda like I know the theory and can explain it, just never had a shotgun with which I could actually do it. I am also a hunter education instructor, and I only kill a deer about once every 4 or 5 years.

__________________
Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

i'm not a certified by anyone instructor, but I have taught a lot of people how to shoot, and shoot well to satisfy my standards. I don't have a PHD either, but I do have a DD-214. lee

__________________
VFW, NRA, VVA, S&WCA 1758

Right next to Kentucky Colonels.

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan

Not really, especially if it's the only certification/training they've got.

At the same time, I don't necessarily think things like competition, combat, or LE experience, by itself, makes for a good instructor, though that experience can be useful depending on the nature of the training being offered.

Personally, I'd rather seek out instructors who believe in continuing education and consider themselves "serious students".

In the grand scheme of things, it's a case-by-case, or I guess instructor-by-instructor, judgement.

Now I want some fried chicken.

Means nothing.

At least that’s an “honorary” title, you don’t get it by just signing up and sending money someplace

It means your check cleared.

__________________
Rule of law, not a man.

I am not a certified anything, but I do qualify as crazy sometimes. I have taught my wife and daughters how to shoot safely and reasonably accurate. I still yell at them if I see them handling a firearm in a unsafe manner. I also give them credit for out shooting me when they do. I love it and I think they do too.

It's not about me, it's about them being able to defend themselves in a safe manner.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

I think now the OP has bared the truth of the matter, I'll be treating the title with even more suspicion than is my norm.

__________________
Release the Kraken

You forgot to mention that you don’t have to belong to the NRA. And no, it doesn’t mean anything to me. I was a certified NRA LE Pistol/Shotgun Instructor for a while. Never taught an NRA class. My then employer wanted me and two others to do it to broaden our base . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Well, in defense of being an NRA firearms instructor, I think much of it may have to do with which certifications you have, and probably at which place you aquired them. Back in the 70s, I started off at Smith and Wesson's Police Firearms Instructors School. Just the basic course was a week long. I went up to Springfield MA for their two week? (I think) Armorer's school, then took their basic FI school, another week. I came back some time later for another week.

For the NRA school, I attended one hosted by the Allentown, PA Police Department, and I think it was 3 days, it was an excellent school, and Allentown had a really nice range. I learned a lot at both the S&W school and the NRA school.

I also attended another FI school at the WVSP Academy. And had many refresher courses over the years.. Lots of things changed, and we were transitioning from Revolvers to Semi Autos along the way, and I attended several schools learning proven ways to facilitate the transition. All through the years, I maintained my NRA credentials. They were pretty well respected by many Police Departments all across the country,

Best Regards, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I'm not a "NRA certified instructor" but in the last 40 or so years I have helped a couple of hundred folks to "not be dangerous" with firearms. Don't count for squat "officially." Joe

__________________
Behavior Creates Destiny

I'm not certified either so that means there are folks out there living in sin.

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan

But.....some manufacturers provide special discounts pricing to certified instructors, similar to that offered to military/LEO.

Yup. As I recall, I bought a Kahr MK40 at a discount after my instructor class. Order form was in the class materials . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I let my certificate expire recently. It had no value and ended up being a waste of time and money.

It is true that it's easy to get the NRA Instructor Certification. I got mine
way over 20 years ago. I started giving classes for Concealed Weapons
License applicants. My classes grew and prospered because of word of
mouth advertising, referrals, etc.

When the Enhanced licences started, I took the class to qualify to teach
those as well. After just a couple of years Idaho passed the legislation
that eliminated the requirement for licences. That pretty much ended
my career teaching, but it was time anyway. I was over 80 by then.

I look at the certification as just another hoop to jump through for
someone who wants to teach. But the certification does not guarantee
success. I had a lot of previous experience with guns, security,
teaching, etc. so I believe the experience of the instructor is far more
important than any certifications. But as I said, it is just a hoop that
needs to be jumped through.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

i feel that the NRA instructor title at least shows that you are serious about the quality of teaching you are doing or attempting to do .One thing I have learned thru the years though is there is a huge difference in being highly skilled and being able to teach that skill to someone else.

I don’t know for certain if any instructor I’ve been under had NRA certification. (Somehow I assume so).
All were (or had been) either TXDPS, or FBI Academy instructors, and various military.

I’m certainly not deriding NRA certification.

__________________
Halfway and one more step

I have one which I will let expire this time around due to age and lack of opportunity. It was a good source of materiel and provided a lesson plan for new shooters. They learned in a formal setting and got a certificate for their effort. It's basic, it does not turn out high speed low drag operators.

__________________
Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

.....and Jack Daniel's Squires!

It depends... I’ve met some really good instructors and I’ve encountered some who have no business teaching. Without NRA instructors, Michigan wouldn’t have number of CPL holders that we have today (about 1,000,000). I’ve been an NRA Certified Instructor and RSO since 2001 and I’m proud of my involvement!

When Michigan passed “shall issue” in 2001, people were waiting up to a year for a training course. A number of us at the local club got our instructor certification and voluntarily taught classes. Over the years, I’ve been involved in the certification of well over 1000 Michiganders. I’ve also helped a number of people get started in reloading and informally assist new shooters at the club pistol range.

I no longer do group instruction, because Michigan has a surplus of instructors and classes are readily available. I still maintain my certification, for the odd friend or family member who want their CPL. I think it’s a worthwhile program and the NRA does a decent job administrating it.

__________________
"I also cook."

I've done the Okla. SDA (licensed carry class, aka; Self Defense Act) since the 90's. The requirements for that are previous military, LE or NRA. I have both military and LE but never went the NRA route. I almost did a couple years ago in order to be in charge of the shooting range and training for local Scout troop(s). BSA wouldn't accept anything but NRA credentials and without it, I could only assist a licensed instructor..

My father certified me some 50 years ago. Then the military.

__________________
Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I was a RO and certified instructor many years ago. Let my certs drop.

With that said my wife has taken up shooting and shoots about 4 times a week (different sports and different gun clubs) As for me at this point I'm shot out and just do not have the drive to attempt to get back to my old skill level. (I do plenty of practice with my CCWs) Mostly on my range at my rural property.

I did teach the wife the basics and safety factors long before she started shooting at the clubs. Occasionally I accompany her and let me be clear about this many of the ROs and instructors I see in action are basically worthless. Most of them I find to be quite naive.

No doubt I would get in arguments with some of these people, so unless its something very serious I hold my tongue and mention it to the wife on the way home.
Heck I even had one young RO tell me if he could do it he would not allow any revolvers on the range.

One thing that does happen sometimes when I go with her to the range is many realize due to my age and over 60 years of being around gun sports to pick my brain(or whats left of it) for information and sometimes settle arguments. Kind of a shooter emeritus!

__________________
14 S&W Revs none with locks!

As a Certified NRA Training Counselor/Instructor, I hold firmly the requirements to become a NRA Certified Instructor. As a Training Counselor to teach the class, a mandatory NRA minimum of four applicants have to be registered for the class and and pass a mandatory NRA Firearms qualification and complete a questionnaire regarding their experience and history of firearms shooting. I hold these qualifications to the letter and their firearm history will weigh heavily on the application for becoming a Certified Instructor for each discipline. As to a NRA 8 hour basic pistol course, there is a mandatory firearm qualification and written test to pass the course. Yes, I have failed to issue a certificate to several students in the past for not passing the firearms qualification. I express remedial training dry fire and live fire to evaluate themselves in the prescribed basic pistol course. If they feel they are ready for the firearms qualification, I avail myself to them in the next basic pistol course scheduled for their range time. Yes their are thousands of NRA Certified instructors but how many of them can shoot well and stick to the NRA platform. The NRA has one of the best lesson plans that have been in the making for years with the input of other instructors and training counselors from around the country. I am proud to be a NRA Training Counselor/Instructor and uphold the qualifications to become a Firearms Instructor.

Nick

__________________
NRA Instructor\GCA Gunsmith

Well I am a certified NRA Instructor. I spent the money and took all the courses to teach rifle, pistol and shotgun to help out the club that I then belonged to. I also have RSO and other certificates to aid other clubs and help with our Junior Rifle program.
If done properly these are good qualifications, and yes I know that many do not use them properly. I am an NRA Benefactor member but that does not mean that I accept or back everything they do.
Because many states various licencing procedures accept the NRA certifications I feel that such qualifications are respected and should carry some weight. Does that mean that I should be looked up to; no, but I should respected that I spent the money and took the courses to help others.
I am now just a couple of weeks away from being 87 years of age and I will probably not renew my certifications or the liability insurance that I faithfully kept going all these years and will hang up my hat.

PHD...… Poppa Has Dealership

__________________
CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

I thought PHD stood for "Papa has dough."

To the OP's question, that means nothing to me, along with all of the folks who casually mention their "students", implying their own "teacher" status. I have several relatives who call themselves "writers"; I am still waiting to see any of their books published.

Bachelor of Science; well, we all know what BS stands for. MS means More of the Same. PHD = Piled High and Deep.

Yeah, OK, whatever...

PHD= Piled High &Deep. Joe

__________________
Behavior Creates Destiny

I wish that were true. Alas, I've asked many NRA certified instructors why they got their certification. The number one answer is so they can call themselves instructors. Out of those in my Basic Pistol class, only two, myself and a military range master, went on to actually teach a class. In the Basic Shotgun certification class we had at least 20. Out of all those, I'm the only one who ever taught a shotgun class.

I couldn't agree more Nick. All the NRA lesson plans are very well written. If the instructors would actually follow them, we'd have a lot of really good shooters out there. I've heard many certified instructors say that they don't care for a portion of the lesson plan, teaching the sitting position for example, so they just don't teach it.

I don't agree with everything the NRA says or does. Their instructor training is very good though. I just wish they were more strict with their certification process. I also think NRA instructors should have a refresher/shooting requirement to keep that certification. It would add value to the cert.

__________________
Freedom isn't free.

It cost me $300 and 32 hours of training to become an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor. I team teach four classes per year through the local Junior College and Sheriff's Department. We follow the NRA curriculum with 10 hours of class room and 200 rounds live fire. Students must qualify for accuracy as per NRA requirements.

In order to qualify for a concealed carry permit in our state, applicants must complete a course taught by "an NRA certified instructor." There are such instructors in our community who teach a 3 hour class with no live fire. Their students are eligible for a permit. I know this because I process permit applications as a volunteer at the Sheriff's Office.

There were 5 students in my instructor course. I'm the only one teaching on a regular basis.

I don't brag about being an instructor, but it is rewarding to have worked with several hundred students over the last five years. We often have individuals who have never fired a gun of any kind, and who leave the class excited about firearms use and ownership.

Reading what it took to become an NRA instructor I thought a person had to be a really good shooter to pass the shooting tests. I didn't think I could even come close to passing the shooting tests. I am sure that is different for others that have been shooting for many more years than I have and more often also.
I always thought being an NRA qualified instructor really had merit to it. I really do believe a person new to guns should by all means take a safety and shooting skills class.

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

__________________
Halfway and one more step

A few years ago I went thru the NRA Range Safety Officer class. Why?? Because I have been working with our Scout troop and teaching young men whom most have no parents that know anything about rifles and shotguns. I teach them the proper way to handle a firearm and keep them safe. To be able to teach these young men I have to have the RSO part per the BSA.