I am an NRA Certified Instructor...

[Rastoff]

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?

 

[Old TexMex]

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

 

[raljr1]

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.

 

[Lee Barner]

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

 

[Rustyt1953]

Right next to Kentucky Colonels.

 

[ContinentalOp]

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.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Right next to Kentucky Colonels.

Now I want some fried chicken.

 

[ladder13]

Means nothing.

 

[Absalom]

Right next to Kentucky Colonels.

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

 

[sigp220.45]

It means your check cleared.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

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

 

[LVSteve]

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.

 

[Muss Muggins]

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 . . .

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?

 

[les.b]

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

 

[pharmer]

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

 

[Rustyt1953]

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

 

[lkabug]

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

 

[Muss Muggins]

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

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

 

[cramsey]

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

 

[crazyphil]

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.