Only LEO or Military certification other than NRA that is accepted anywhere I know.
This is a discussion on Instructor Level Courses within the Instructors Corner forums, part of the Main Category category; Other than NRA , are there any other certifying organizations for Firearms Instructors?...
Other than NRA, are there any other certifying organizations for Firearms Instructors?
There are several in California; Fish and Game for Hunter Safety Courses, 4-H for their own shooting program, Boy Scouts of America for their shooting programs, State of CA for security guard/baton training, Civilian Marksmanship Program, it depends on what you want to teach. Many different organizations certify instructors, but most accept, or require NRA instructor.
Yes, most states have their own instructor certifications, but some don't. The NRA Certified Instructor in various disciplines, e.g. Pistol, is probably the most respected national one. It does depend on what subject you want to teach. Success!
Col Ben
Organizations? None that I know of, at least not a well known respected organization. However, some of the well known training centers such as Rangemasters, Suarez, etc. have their own instructor certifications. Some of them are fairly rigorous as they don't allow just anyone to attend and get their certifications without really knowing their stuff.
Of course, as already mentioned some of the various states have their own certifications for conducting CCW/CHL licensing courses. The Texas Department of Public Safety (read highway patrol/LEO) conducts the week long handgun instructor certification course for CHL instructors in Texas. They have an abbreviated course for those that can show proof of previous handgun instructor certification through LEO, Military or NRA. The premise is that these already know how to teach and just need the core legal knowledge instruction to be able to teach students the laws concerning deadly conduct, etc.
Suarez has conducted Combat Pistol Instructor courses, but he does not issue a "certification". Usually the people who attend the class are already instructors and are attending to learn new teaching techniques.
HCTT http://www.hicalibertraining.com/
"Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready."- Theodore Roosevelt
Brownells has the Suarez courses... Fair price to boot. Lot cheaper than Front Site or Gunsite...
"A gun is a tool. No better or no worse than the man using it." – Shane
Greg Nichols is the Suarez Instructor in Iowa and utilizes Brownell's Big Springs Range outside of Searsboro, but we have classes all across the country.
To the OP, In Florida the instructors are Don Robison and Al Lipscomb Suarez International USA, Inc. - Search
HCTT http://www.hicalibertraining.com/
"Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready."- Theodore Roosevelt
One of my certifications are from the NC Criminal Justice Standards Commission, I am certified to teach Firearms (Handgun, rifle & shotgun) through the Dept. of Corr. or now known as the Dept. of Public Safety. This certification is only granted to those that are "General Instructors" first, and then take an additional instructor level class that has to be recertified with the standards set forth by the commission. BTW the General Inst course was two weeks long and is extremely hard - there is a high dropout / failure rate.