Depending on the Instructor credential you desire, some processes are easier than others. Take time to carefully read all the information below and follow the rabbit trails of links to better understand what you need to do. Our training staff is made up of experienced instructors who are, in many cases, certified to certify instructors.
If you want to host a class in your community, send us an email at Training@P3TC.com and let us know.
Instructor Disciplines
NRA Firearms Instructor (NRAI)
License to Carry Handgun Instructor
Private Security Program Instructor
Refuse To Be A Victim® Instructor
Chief Range Safety Officer
Personal Protection Inside The Home Instructor
Personal Protection Outside The Home Instructor
BSA Instructor
Civil Air Patrol Instructor
NRA Firearms Instructor (NRAI)
The leading cause of confusion is people refuse to read and follow instructions. If you do not, can not or will not follow instructions, you do not qualify to be an instructor.
There is a lot of conflicting information on too many websites, including the NRA. So, to make it simple, this page will tell you what needs to be done, and how it is done. It is your Training Counselor’s responsibility to meet NRA objectives.
Instructor candidates are not required to be members of the NRA, and regardless of background and credentialing (e.g. military trainers; local, state or federal LE Trainers; etc.) must complete all requirements to be certified. There are no waivers, but feel free to get your own “NO” from the NRA Training Department.
NRA member Instructors do receive a certification discount. If you would like to be a member at P3TC’s discounted rate, go to JOIN NRA.
NRA Education and Training requires Instructor Candidates (ICs) to pass the basic course in the corresponding discipline prior to taking the Instructor course. Reloading and Home Firearm Safety* are not affected by this change. You will pass or not, under these conditions:
Candidates shall complete all NRA requirements to be Certified Instructors. This is your checklist:
__ 1. Register, attend, and pass the NRA basic course for the discipline (Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, CCW, etc.) you want to teach; If you already took the basic course for the discipline, send P3TC a copy of your certificate today.
NEW. For now, the NRA Training Department is authorizing the Distance Learning and Blended, Basics of Pistol Shooting to satisfy the basic course requirement for Pistol Instructor Courses as well as the already approved Instructor Led only version.
There are no credits, or waivers for your current or past experience and qualifications. You have to pass this class. If you completed the Phase 1 NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting online course through the NRA, register for the Pistol (Handgun), Blended Phase 2 (Range) to complete the requirements.
__ 2. Pass the Instructor pre-test and Instructor pre-course qualification for the discipline sought. Instructor Pre-course Qualifications are conducted the morning of the discipline training, or by appointment (for a fee). If you do not pass the Pre-course Qualification, you are not eligible to attend the discipline training. You may re-register to attend a future training date when you are ready.
A live performance is scheduled the morning of, unless otherwise scheduled and accomplished prior to the course. If you do not pass, you are not eligible to attend the discipline specific Instructor course and dismissed from the class.
__ 3. Register, attend, and pass the NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) within two (2) years, and;
BIT is Part 1 of the Instructor course. I need proof of attendance. If this is not current, NRA will deny your certification.
(Items 1-3 may be accomplished in any order. You may not do 4 until 1-3 are done.)
__ 4. Register, attend, and pass (Part 2) discipline specific (BPI, BRI, BSI, CCWI, etc.) training.
In accordance with NRA policy, no class may be smaller than four (4) students. Therefore, classes with less than four (4) eligible ICs are rescheduled or put on a waiting list.
*Whereas Reloading and the HFSI pre-qualification is lengthy and comprehensive, P³TC continues to require candidates to register for a separate pre-course qualification class, or pass Basic Reloading, or HFS or RSO for HFSI.
Register for all classes you need separately. See the Catalog for training dates and rates. If your discipline is not scheduled, please request the course at Training@P3TC.com
Personal Protection In The Home (PPITH) builds on material presented in Basic Pistol (BP), Personal Protection Outside The Home (PPOTH) builds on material presented in PPITH. PPOTH Advanced is a pre-requisite to PPOTH instructor.
License to Carry Handgun Instructor
Texas License to Carry Handgun (LTC) Instructor (LTCI), How To Become A New Instructor
GC §411.190. QUALIFIED HANDGUN INSTRUCTORS … (a) The director [DPS] may certify as a qualified handgun instructor a person who:
- is certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement or under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, to instruct others in the use of handguns;
- regularly instructs others in the use of handguns and has graduated from a handgun instructor school that uses a nationally accepted course designed to train persons as handgun instructors; or
- is certified by the National Rifle Association of America as a handgun [Basic Pistol] instructor (read below).
[Once you are Instructor qualified, you need to spend three (3) days training with DPS, and qualify with the revolver and semi-auto pistol.] For more information about how to become a certified License To Carry (LTC) Instructor, see www.dps.texas.gov/RSD/LTC/LicenseRegistration/instrguidepres.htm.
Private Security Program Instructor
Texas Private Security Program (PSP) Instructor
Be a certified training instructor in accordance with Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 35-143, Private Security Administrative Rules.
Refuse To Be A Victim® Instructor
Instructor candidates must attend the Refuse To Be A Victim® Seminar and then a one-to two-day Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), or complete the Online Instructor Training course.
IDWs are taught by Regional Counselors and concentrates on technical aspects of the program, instructor expectations, certification guidelines, developing speaking techniques and presentation skills, marketing seminars, etc.
Chief Range Safety Officer
Candidates must be an NRA Certified Range Safety Officer and have attended Basic Instructor Training within two years prior to attending CRSO Training. Passing the pre-course qualification is often a challenge. If you do not pass, you will be excused; or may be invited to attend, but will not receive credit.
NRA cannot provide any assistance in training foreign persons due to conflicting information from the U.S. Government regarding regulations pertinent to foreign persons and arms training. NRA cannot process any requests for assistance in training foreign persons. In view of the above, we regret to inform you that NRA cannot renew NRA firearm trainer credentials for any foreign national.
NRA certification costs are paid directly to the NRA once course objectives are satisfactorily met. Instructor Candidates (ICs) can go to NRAInstructors.org within 30 days and complete the credentialing process; register, log in, check off the electronic disclaimer, pay the credentialing fee, and then print, download, or email the certificate/ID card. ICs may not perform in the capacity as an NRA RSOs/Trainer until this process is complete. Go to www.nrainstructors.org to begin the process. Review this file for help.
NRA membership is not required to be an instructor, however, if you are NOT a member, you will need to wait until you receive your NRA Instructor ID number to register.
We give a 10% discount when BIT and three (3) or more disciplines are taken and paid for all at once.
Personal Protection Inside The Home Instructor
A Personal Protection In The Home Instructor Candidate must be a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor and pass the Basics of Personal Protection In The Home prior to attending Personal Protection In The Home Instructor training.
Personal Protection Outside The Home Instructor
A Personal Protection Outside The Home Instructor Candidate must be an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, a NRA Certified Personal Protection In The Home Instructor, and pass The Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home – Advanced.
BSA Instructor
If you want to be a Boy Scouts of America Firearms Instructor (BSAI), you must be an NRA Instructor (NRAI) or, you may take an NRA Coach School. Go to www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/shooting-sports for more information.
To support the local Scouting Shooting Sports Coordinator (SSC), QUALIFIED* leaders who want to be Firearms Instructors may attend NRAI training. BSAI courses have the same course objectives as any NRAI course.
*Qualified means Instructor Candidates are recognized and recommended by the BSA SSC and shall:
- Take, or be a Rifle and Shotgun Instructor BEFORE Pistol Instructor.
- Be associated with a troop; endorsed by Scout Master to establish your position in the Troop.
- Have an adult scouter number.
- Be current in youth protection training (YPT); proof of training required.
- Meet all NRAI requirements outlined below.
Note. To take the Scout troop shooting you must also have a Range Safety Officer (RSO) who is a different person than the Instructor/Coach. RSOs are NOT Instructors. RSO is NOT required to be an Instructor. RSO Candidates shall:
- Be associated with a troop; endorsed by Scout Master to establish your position in the Troop.
- Have an adult scouter number.
- Be current in youth protection training (YPT); proof of training required.
- Meet all NRA RSO requirements.
Civil Air Patrol Instructor
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Instructor
CAP Regulation 60-1, Cadet Program Management defines the purposes of the CAP Cadet Program and identifies policies governing its administration. 2.10.2. …sponsored and supervised by instructors holding current credentials as military range safety officers, law enforcement firearms instructors, or National Rifle Association, National Skeet Shooting Association or Amateur Trap Shooting Association firearms instructors.