NRA Basics of Shotgun Shooting Instructor Class

The goal of this program is to develop instructors to teach NRA Basic Firearm Training Courses according to the lesson plans and training standards of the National Rifle Association.

A complete NRA Instructor Training Course consists of three parts. The first is the basic class, which is required so that all instructor candidates have seen the class at least once before certifying to teach it. The second is basic instructor training, which consists of 6 hours of instruction on how to run the backend of firearms classes. The third part is discipline-specific instructor training, which for Basics of Shotgun Shooting is an additional 8 hours of training.

During the NRA Instructor Training Course, you will receive from your Training Counselor the NRA Trainer’s Guide, the appropriate NRA Instructor Candidate Packet which includes the course outlines and lesson plans for the disciplines you wish to teach, the appropriate NRA basic course student packet which includes the handbook, certificates, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and other materials used in NRA basic courses.

This program is not designed to prepare you to teach other firearm training courses (such as law enforcement, security, or hunter safety courses), nor to prepare you to develop firearm training courses of your own.

The NRA Training Counselor who conducts your course will make a recommendation to NRA concerning your certification based on an evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and attitude. You will be asked to demonstrate your organizational and teaching skills through participation in several practical exercises during the course of your training. You will also be asked to complete an instructor certification examination. A minimum score of 90 percent is required for certified instructor applicants (85 percent for assistant and apprentice instructor applicants). However, attendance at the course, or a passing grade on the examination, does not guarantee that you will receive the recommendation of the NRA Training Counselor.

Note: This course is held in multiple locations!

Day 1: Saturday January 15th Starting at 10am – Coyote Point Rifle and Pistol Club, 1601 Coyote Point Drive San Mateo, CA 94401-1002

Basic Instructor Training: This day covers how to run a class from a financial, legal, and ethical standpoint, NRA Policies and Procedures, and the handling portion of the evaluation. Basic Instructor Training is required of any instructor candidate that does not have proof that this has been completed in the two years prior to this date.

Day 2: Saturday January 22nd Starting at 8am – Field Sports Park 9580 Malech Rd San Jose, CA 95013

We will be starting in the lodge next to the trap/skeet fields. Please arrive early so we can start on time. The range closes at 4pm.

Basics of Shotgun Shooting – We will safety, parts, operation, ammunition, marksmanship, selection of shotguns, and complete the basic student qualification. Be prepared to complete your first attempts at the instructor qualification.

Day 3: Sunday January 23rd Starting at 8am – Field Sports Park 9580 Malech Rd San Jose, CA 95013

Basics of Shotgun Shooting Discipline specific: This day has another attempt at the marksmanship qualification in the morning. The day continues into specifics on what is needed to run a NRA Basics of Rifle Shooting student course. There will be multiple in-class evaluations during the day where instructor candidates demonstrate their ability to teach the material to other instructor candidates. There will be a written exam of the material on this day which must be passed in order to be recommended into the instructor program.

If you have documentation of already completing Basic Instructor Training within 2 years of the date of class then you could be exempt from Day 1. If you have documentation of already completing the Basics of Shotgun Class Student class then you could be exempt from Day 2. Contact us at bayprofs – at – bayprofs – dot – org for details if this is the case for you. We won’t charge you for the days you don’t need.

The pricing for each day is: Day 1- Basic Instructor Training $60, Day 2 – Basics of Shotgun Shooting – $195, Day 3 – Basics of Shotgun Shooting Instructor $180.

The “package” price is for all 3 days.

Expect an email from us about 2 weeks before the class with information and homework for the class.

Expectations of students in order to pass:

• You must participate in the entire course
• You must display the knowledge, skills, and attitude as required in the NRA national curriculum in order to be a firearms instructor
• You must pass all marksmanship, firearms handling, written, and in class examinations

Students are required to bring the following materials to class:

1. You will need to fill out and return the pre-class homework. This will be emailed to you about 2 weeks before class. Responsibly bringing the homework to class is a part of your evaluation for the class, so please take it seriously.
2. You must bring an electronic device (e.g. Laptop/tablet) that is able to view the presenter notes in a powerpoint presentation. NRA no longer uses paper training materials for this class. You will need to bring a power cord or batteries for your device in order to keep it running all day. You will not be able to pass the course without this. It is fine for 2 students to share a laptop if coming as a group. Note: there is limited/no internet access in the classroom. I’ll email out the materials about a week before the class and you will need to have them pre-loaded on the first day.
3. For days 2 & 3: A sporting type shotgun appropriate for trap and/or skeet shooting. Remember that a shotgun threaded for chokes can not be shot without a choke installed. Bring your whole set of chokes if you have them. We will be at a verity of distances. The range does not allow “riot” guns to be used on the trap or skeet fields. Contact us if you have any questions about if your equipment will be allowed.
4. You will need 200 shot-shells for your shotgun. No shot size larger than 7.5 are allowed. Recommended sizes are between and including 7.5 and 9. No buckshot or slugs. I do not recommend attempting this course with heavy or magnum loads. You will be more successful with light “low brass” loads. The ammunition must be packed separately from your shotgun. Please test your ammunition in your shotgun prior to class, especially if you are running a semi-auto shotgun. Please do not leave the ammo in your vehicle, but have it stored in a separate container from your firearm. We will provide a secure area outside of the classroom to store the ammunition.
5. You will need some way to carry 25 shotgun shells on your person such that you can access the ammunition while you are holding your shotgun. Cargo pants, a fanny pack, or a shotgun shell pouch can work here. We do not want your box of shot-shells on the ground while we are shooting.
6. The course price does not include the targets. The price for those will be paid on the day of class depending on how many you need. You will need at most 200 of them, and you’ll likely need less of them if you complete the course qualification on a early attempt. The retail price for the clay targets is $9 for 25 targets, or $72 for 200 of them. We may be able to negotiate a lower price with the range, but the retail price is a maximum.
7. Electronic hearing protection. You must be able to understand instructions on the range while other people are firing. Make sure your hearing protection is compatible with the comb of your shotgun such that you can mount the gun without breaking the seal on your earmuffs.
8. Eye protection.
9. Range appropriate clothing for outdoor shooting. Be ready for weather.
10. Sunscreen.
11. Pens/Pencil/paper for notes, filling out forms, and taking the test.
12. Please bring a packed lunch. We won’t have time to go off-site for lunch.

Note: Please register here with *exactly* the same name and address the NRA has on file for you. If the database does not find your information then it will significantly delay processing your course completion. You can look up your NRA information here: https://www.nramemberservices.org/

NRA membership is not required in order to attend and pass the class. It is recommended, however, as the NRA is the curriculum standards body for this material.