
The NRA Law Enforcement Division was established in 1960 to provide the law enforcement community with a means to certify law enforcement firearm instructors. The NRA currently has over 11,000 active, certified, law enforcement firearm instructors. The NRA offers a variety of programs and services to train law enforcement officers and military members. Candidates for NRA instructor positions must complete an instructor training course in the discipline they wish to teach and receive the endorsement of the NRA Training Counselor. Candidates must also demonstrate solid and safe firearm handling skills and a commitment to safety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NRA Law Enforcement Instructor role | To teach officers how to be safe, effective, and timely in the use of their firearms and tactics, and to win lethal encounters |
| NRA Law Enforcement Instructor Development Schools | Accepting requests for sponsorship; the host must provide classroom facilities, range, and some administrative duties |
| NRA Law Enforcement Instructor Certification | Requires NRA membership; certification is valid for three years; must be applied for after completing NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor school |
| Recertification | Requires proof of 24 hours of continuing education related to firearms or instructor development training during the three-year certification period; costs $35 for a single discipline and $60 for two or more |
| Training | Instructor courses are discipline-specific, covering NRA policies, public speaking, training methodology, course organization, budgeting, and teaching skills; role-playing is a major component |
| Training Counselors | Evaluate candidates' performance based on firearm handling, use of training aids, following lesson plans, and meeting learning objectives |
| Student Requirements | Must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; must provide their own firearms and safety equipment for training |
| NRA History | Established in 1871 with a focus on firearm safety, training, and competitive proficiency; the Law Enforcement Division was created in 1960 to certify law enforcement firearm instructors |
| NRA Statistics | Over 60,000 law enforcement firearm instructors trained; over 11,000 active, certified instructors; various programs and benefits for members, including insurance, competitions, and scholarships |
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What You'll Learn

Training and certification
The National Rifle Association (NRA) was founded in 1871 with a key objective to provide education and training in the safe and proper use of firearms. The NRA Law Enforcement Division was established in 1960 to provide the law enforcement community with a means to certify law enforcement firearm instructors. The NRA has trained over 60,000 firearm instructors and currently has more than 11,000 active certified instructors.
To become an NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor, you must complete an NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Development School. These 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 firearm instructors. The NRA accepts requests to sponsor these schools, providing professional staff, student manuals, and all student handout materials, while the host provides classroom and range facilities.
NRA Instructor courses are discipline-specific and candidates will learn NRA policies and procedures, basic public speaking skills, training methodology, use of a training team and training aids, organizing a course, and preparing to teach. Candidates will also receive lesson plans and basic course student packets. The minimum class size should be around four candidates, with 10-12 being ideal. Candidates take turns working in teams, conducting portions of the course to other candidates portraying students.
To be eligible to attend an NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor school, you must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. You must also have completed the basic course in the discipline you wish to be certified to teach, such as NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting or NRA Basic Rifle Shooting. Additionally, you must possess a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills, as well as be intimately familiar with each action type in the discipline you wish to teach.
Upon successful completion of an NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor school, you must apply for certification. NRA membership is required to maintain your certification, and your employer must have Agency Enrollment if you are employed by a private law enforcement agency. Certification is valid for three years from the date of issuance. To recertify, you must submit proof of having obtained a minimum of 24 hours of in-person continuing education related to firearms training or instructor development training during the three-year certification period. The cost to recertify is $35 for a single discipline and $60 for two or more.
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Instructor development schools
The NRA's Law Enforcement Division was established in 1960 to provide the law enforcement community with firearm instructor certification. The NRA currently has over 11,000 active certified instructors and offers state-of-the-art programs that are more cost-effective than those of other training organizations.
The NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor Development Schools aim to develop and enhance the instructor skills and firearm handling skills of all students so they can effectively teach their officers to win lethal encounters. The NRA provides professional staff to conduct the school, and the host is responsible for providing range and classroom facilities along with some other minor administrative duties.
To attend an NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor School, specific eligibility requirements must be met, and registration must be made on the proper forms with appropriate documentation attached. All applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and have a solid understanding of the English language.
The NRA Law Enforcement Division offers a variety of firearm training and instructor development courses. The 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.
The NRA also offers a variety of programs and services, including insurance programs, agency affiliation, range development, and recreational shooting equipment.
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Instructor courses
The National Rifle Association (NRA) offers instructor courses for those who want to become law enforcement firearm instructors. The NRA was created in 1871 to promote firearm safety, training, and competitive proficiency. The NRA Law Enforcement Division was established in 1960 to provide the law enforcement community with a means to certify law enforcement firearm instructors. The NRA has trained over 60,000 law enforcement firearm instructors and currently has more than 11,000 active certified instructors.
The NRA Instructor courses are discipline-specific and candidates will learn NRA policies and procedures, basic public speaking skills, training methodology, the use of a training team and training aids, organizing a course, building a budget, and preparing to teach. Candidates will also be provided with lesson plans and basic course student packets. Role-playing is a major part of the instructor course, so the minimum class size should be around four candidates, with 10-12 being ideal. Instructor training courses are conducted by NRA Training Counselors, who are active and experienced instructors certified by the NRA to train experienced shooters to teach others. Training Counselors will evaluate candidates' performance based on their ability to handle firearms with confidence, use appropriate training aids, follow lesson plans, and meet learning objectives, all while utilizing the teaching philosophies expected of NRA Certified Instructors.
To be eligible for an NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor Development School, candidates must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and must bring specific equipment, including a duty handgun, magazines or speedloader, holster, belt and ammunition carrier pouches, eye and ear protection, and a baseball-style cap.
To become certified as an NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor, candidates must successfully complete an NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor school and apply for certification. This certification is valid for three years from the date of issuance, after which instructors must recertify by submitting proof of having obtained a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education related to firearms training or instructor development training during the three-year certification period. The cost to recertify is $35 for a single discipline and $60 for two or more.
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Instructor roles and responsibilities
The National Rifle Association (NRA) was created in 1871 to promote firearm safety, training, and competitive proficiency. The NRA Law Enforcement Division was established in 1960 to provide the law enforcement community with a means to certify law enforcement firearm instructors. The NRA currently has over 11,000 active, certified law enforcement firearm instructors.
NRA instructors are active and former police officers from across the country who are highly trained and respected professionals in the field. They are responsible for teaching officers how to be safe, effective, and timely in their use of firearms and tactics, with the ultimate goal of helping them win lethal encounters. This includes training in various techniques, tactics, teaching methodologies, and technical knowledge to develop the skills required to effectively perform their roles as firearm instructors.
Instructors must also stay up-to-date with the latest training methods and techniques to maintain their certification. To recertify, they must submit proof of having obtained a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education related to firearms or instructor development training during the three-year certification period. NRA membership is also required to maintain certification, and there are specific eligibility requirements that must be met to become an instructor, including U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, and the ability to lawfully possess firearms and ammunition.
The NRA offers a range of programs and services to law enforcement officers and military personnel, including firearm instructor development schools. These schools are designed to develop and enhance both instructor skills and firearm handling skills, providing hands-on training to prepare students to teach officers to win lethal encounters. The curriculum covers classroom instruction and practical exercises, providing a model for students to build their agency programs and enhance their firearm knowledge.
The NRA also provides resources such as training guides, qualification programs, and equipment to support instructors and law enforcement officers in their roles.
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NRA Law Enforcement Instructor of the Year award
The National Rifle Association (NRA) is committed to offering the best law enforcement firearms instructor training available. The NRA's Law Enforcement Division was established in 1960 to provide the law enforcement community with a means to certify law enforcement firearm instructors. The NRA currently has over 11,000 active, certified, law enforcement firearm instructors, and has trained more than 60,000 instructors in total.
The NRA Law Enforcement Instructor of the Year award acknowledges an NRA Law Enforcement Instructor who has gone above and beyond in their instruction and dedication. The recipient is selected by NRA Law Enforcement Division staff and must be a currently certified NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor. Nominations can be submitted via email to [email protected] or by mail to the NRA Law Enforcement Training Manager. The winner is announced in the last newsletter of the year and receives a plaque and a firearm donated by Smith & Wesson.
The NRA offers a variety of programs and services to law enforcement officers and military members, including the Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Development Schools. These schools are designed to train and prepare law enforcement officers to become firearm instructors, focusing on instructor skills and firearm handling skills. The NRA also provides a complete police shooting program to encourage patrol officers to gain more experience and training using their duty firearms.
To become an NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor, specific eligibility requirements must be met, and registration must be made on the proper forms with appropriate documentation attached. All applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents. To maintain certification, NRA membership is required, and recertification must be completed every three years, with proof of 24 hours of continuing education related to firearms training or instructor development training.
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Frequently asked questions
The role of an NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor is to teach law enforcement officers firearm handling, safety, and tactics to effectively perform their duties and win lethal encounters.
Candidates must be US citizens or lawful permanent residents and have a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills. They must also be familiar with each action type in the discipline they wish to teach.
Candidates must complete an NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor school and apply for certification upon successful completion. The schools provide instructor development training and enhance firearm handling skills.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors are recognized for their expertise in firearm instruction and have access to a range of resources, including training guides, qualification programs, and the NRA Law Enforcement Quarterly newsletter.
The certification for NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor disciplines is valid for three years from the date of issuance. To recertify, individuals must submit proof of a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education related to firearms or instructor development training during the three-year certification period.


































