Skip to main content
HomeNRA Certified Courses

NRA Certified Firearms Training Courses

NRA Basics Of Pistol Shooting

Short Description

The NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting is intended for all individuals regardless of previous shooting experience or NRA-affiliation and is available for delivery in two ways. One option is the traditional, instructor-led course where you will receive direct instruction from an NRA-certified instructor from beginning to end. The other option has two components: a self-study or “eLearning module” which is completed online in your own timeframe and a hands-on practical portion conducted in a classroom and shooting range with an Instructor.

More Details

Instructor Led Only Training: The Instructor Led Only takes place in a traditional classroom and range environment. This course may be completed in a single day format or over several days with smaller blocks of instruction. To sign up for the Instructor Led Only click on the “Find A Course” icon. This opens the Course Listing page where you will select the Basics of Pistol Shooting-Instructor Led and scroll to the bottom of the page to enter details that refine the search criteria to generate a list of available courses. After selecting a course you will enter your information in the registration fields. The course Instructor will contact you shortly thereafter. Blended Training: The Blended training format provides students the flexibility to complete a significant portion of the course in an eLearning environment, prior to arriving for the classroom and range session with an NRA Certified Instructor. You can find the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Blended course in the same manner as above. When you register for the blended course, you’ll create a unique username and password. The instructor will provide you with a Course Control Code and directions to complete the self-study portion of the course prior to class date. More Details: Course topics include: gun safety rules, proper operation of revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, ammunition knowledge and selection, pistol selection and storage, shooting fundamentals, pistol inspection and maintenance, marksmanship, and shooting range safety. Additionally, students will complete live fire training and a nationally standardized shooting qualification while on the range with an NRA Certified Instructor. Students will receive the NRA Guide: Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, take a Basics of Pistol Shooting Student Examination and receive a course completion certificate bearing the signature of the NRA Secretary and your NRA Certified Instructor.

NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course

Short Description

This course teaches the basic knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for the safe use of a rifle in target shooting.

More Details

This course is at least eight hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot rifles. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; rifle parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting from the bench rest, prone, sitting, standing and kneeling positions; cleaning; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Rifle Shooting Student Examination, and receive a course completion certificate.

NRA Basic Shotgun Shooting Course

Short Description

This course teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for the safe and proper use of a shotgun in shooting a moving target.

More Details

This course is at least 10 hours long and includes classroom and range time learning how to shoot shotguns at moving targets. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; shotgun parts and operation; shotgun shell components; shotgun shell malfunctions; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting at straight away and angled targets; cleaning; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Shotgun Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Shotgun Shooting Student Examination, and receive a course completion certificate.

NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course

Short Description

This course teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a handgun for protection of self and family, and provides information on the law-abiding individual’s right to self-defense.

Prerequisite

This course is for law-abiding adult citizens, as defined by applicable federal, state or local law, and experienced shooters (shooters able to show mastery of the basic skills of safe gun handling, shooting a group, zeroing the firearm, and cleaning the firearm). Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Pistol Course Certificate, NRA FIRST Steps Course Certificate, NRA pistol competitive shooting qualification card, military DD 214 with pistol qualification, or passing the Pre-Course Assessment.

Description

This is an eight-hour course. Students should expect to shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition. Students will learn basic defensive shooting skills; strategies for home safety and responding to a violent confrontation; firearms and the law; how to choose a handgun for self-defense; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection In The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, and course completion certificate.

Note

Lesson III of this course—Firearms and the Law, and Legal Aspects of Self-Defense—is conducted by an attorney licensed to practice law within the state in which this course is given and who is familiar with this area of the law; a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) who possesses an intermediate or higher Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificate granted within the state; or an individual currently certified to instruct in this area of the law by the state in which this course is presented. NRA certified instructors may conduct this lesson only if they meet the requirements stated above, and then only in their capacity as an attorney or other state certified individual, not in their capacity as an NRA certified instructor.

NRA Basics Of Person Protection Outside The Home Course

Short Description

This course teaches students the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed pistol for self-defense outside the home.

Prerequisite

This course is for adult individuals who are not disqualified from possessing a firearm as defined by applicable federal, state or local law and are of good repute and possess defensive pistol skills presented in the NRA Basics Of Personal Protection In The Home Course. Participants must also understand the basic legal concepts relating to the use of firearms in self-defense, and must know and observe not only general gun safety rules but also those safety principles that are specific to defensive situations. Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course Certificate, or by passing the pre-course evaluation.

Description

The course is divided into two levels. Level one is nine hours and offers the essential knowledge and skills that must be mastered in order to carry, store, and use a firearm safely and effectively for personal protection outside the home. Students spend several hours on the range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition during level one. Upon completion, students may choose to attend level two, which is an additional five hours on the range and approximately 115 rounds of ammunition learning advanced shooting skills. Time and ammunition requirements are minimum, and may be exceeded. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics Of Personal Protection Outside The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and appropriate (level one/level two) course completion certificates(s).

Note

Lesson III—Firearms and the Law, and Legal Aspects of Self-Defense—of the Personal Protection In And Outside The Home courses is conducted by an attorney licensed to practice law within the state in which this course is given and who is familiar with this area of the law; a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) who possesses an intermediate or higher Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificate granted within the state' or an individual currently certified to instruct in this area of the law by the state in which this course is presented. NRA certified instructors may conduct this lesson only if they meet the requirements stated above, and then only in their capacity as an attorney or other state certified individual, not in their capacity as an NRA certified instructor.