NRA Certified Instructor Classes

Scarborough Fish & Game Association provides NRA Certified Instructor classes;

  • climate controlled classroom
  • covered and supervised shooting range
  • experienced NRA Certified Instructors and Training Counselors
  • open to the public

Our facility is wheelchair accessible and assistance is available for the disabled. Please advise us if you have any special need.

Range safety and accessibility improvements have been funded, in part, by a major grant from The NRA Foundation.

Instructor ratings are available to conduct the following NRA courses:

  • Basic Pistol Shooting
  • Personal Protection in the Home
  • Personal Protection Outside the Home
  • NRA CCW
  • Basic Rifle Shooting
  • Basic Shotgun Shooting
  • Muzzle Loading
  • Home Firearm Safety
  • Metallic Cartridge Reloading
  • Shotgun Shell Reloading
  • Range Safety Officer
  • Chief Range Safety Officer
  • Refuse to be a Victim

Instructor Course offerings during the 2026 year:

  • 7 Jan  1st Aid/CPR/AED recertification for RSO’s (this class now full)
  • 10 Jan 1st Aid/CPR/AED recertification for RSO’s (this class now full)
  • 17 Jan NRA Range Safety Officer (this class now full)
  • 24 Jan  NRA Basic Instructor Training (this class now full)
  • 18 Feb 1st Aid/CPR/AED recertification for RSO’s
  • 28 Feb NRA Chief Range Safety Officer (this class now full)
  • 28 Mar 1st Aid/CPR/AED full certification for RSO’s
  • 6 Jun    NRA Basic Instructor Training
  • 8 Aug    NRA Basic Rifle Instructor
  • 29 Aug  NRA Basic Pistol Instructor

To qualify as an NRA Instructor:

Candidates must possess and demonstrate a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills acquired through previous firearm training and/or previous shooting experience. Instructor candidates must be intimately familiar with each action type in the discipline they wish to be certified. Candidates will be required to demonstrate solid and safe firearms handling skills required to be successful during an instructor training course by completing pre-course questionnaires and qualification exercises administered by the NRA Appointed Training Counselor. Candidates must satisfactorily complete an NRA Instructor Training Course in the discipline they wish to teach (e.g., NRA Basic Pistol Course), and receive the endorsement of the NRA Training Counselor conducting that training. NRA Instructor courses are discipline specific. The first 6 hours of an NRA instructor course is NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT), utilizing the NRA Trainer’s Guide. During this portion, candidates will learn NRA policies and procedures, basic public speaking skills, training methodology, use of a training team and training aids, organizing a course, building a budget, and finally preparing to teach. The BIT is followed by discipline specific training and will be 5 to 16 additional hours, depending on the discipline. During this portion, candidates will be provided the appropriate lesson plans and basic course student packets. Role-playing is a major part of an instructor course; therefore, the minimum class size should be at least four candidates, with 10-12 candidates being ideal. Candidates take turns working in teams, actually conducting portions of the course to other candidates who portray basic students.

Training Counselors will evaluate candidates’ performance based on their ability to handle the firearms with confidence, use of appropriate training aids, following the lesson plans and meeting all learning objectives, while utilizing the teaching philosophies learned during the BIT. Candidates can also expect to learn the NRA discipline specific instructional methods and evaluating and improving the performance of beginning shooters. Candidates will be provided with the NRA Trainer’s Guide, appropriate Lesson Plans and Outlines, Basic Course Student handbooks, certificates, basic student examinations, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program booklet, Basic Firearm Training Programs Brochure, Gun Safety Rules brochure, NRA Trainer’s Examination and NRA discipline specific instructor examination (minimum passing grade is 90%).

NRA Certified Instructors provide an invaluable service in their communities by training hundreds of thousands of individuals annually. As more Americans choose to exercise their right to own a firearm, so too grows the need for these courses. You can be the vital element in meeting this need by becoming an NRA Certified Instructor and conducting NRA Basic Firearm Training Courses. As an instructor, you can experience the personal satisfaction of teaching others the basics – the knowledge, skills and attitude that will lead to a lifetime of safe, enjoyable and successful involvement in firearm and shooting activities.

NRA Certified Instructors are expected to:

  • Conduct NRA Basic Courses in accordance with policies and procedures outlined by NRA
  • Uphold the quality and integrity of national firearm safety and training standards established by NRA
  • Promote firearm safety and the shooting sports
  • Report training data to NRA

NRA Basic Instructor Training

6 June

NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) is a mandatory 8-hour prerequisite course that teaches individuals the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to organize, promote, and teach NRA basic firearm training courses. While BIT does not certify you as an instructor, it provides foundational training in areas like NRA policies, using training materials, lesson planning, and public speaking, preparing you for a discipline-specific NRA Instructor Course. 

 
Course Content
The BIT course covers key instructional topics, including:
  • NRA Policies and Procedures: Understanding the rules and guidelines for conducting NRA training. 
     
  • Instructional Methodology: Learning how to effectively organize and deliver training. 
     
  • Public Speaking Skills: Developing the ability to speak clearly and engagingly to a group. 
     
  • Training Aids and Teamwork: Knowing how to use training materials and work with other instructors. 
     
  • Course Organization: Skills for managing a course, including budgeting. 
     
  • Preparing to Teach: How to prepare for and conduct training sessions effectively. 
     
  • Student Packets and Lesson Plans: Receiving the materials needed for the courses you will teach. 
     
Key Requirements & Next Steps
  • Prerequisite: 
    BIT is required before attending any discipline-specific NRA Instructor Course
    BIT is valid for 2 years and must be repeated to add a new instructor rating if the instructor candidate is outside the 2 year certification.

To register for the 6 June NRA Basic Instructor Training class please use this link:  BITcourse_signup

NRA Basic Rifle Instructor

8 August

The NRA Rifle Instructor Course is a 8-hour program designed to develop safe, effective instructors capable of teaching NRA Basic Rifle Shooting courses. It focuses on training techniques, lesson planning, and shooting fundamentals, requiring proficiency in safe gun handling, a pre-course assessment, and passing a written exam.  Prerequisites for this course include taking and passing NRA Basic Rifle and NRA Basic Instructor Training with a score of 90% or higher.

Course Components & Highlights
  • Must have taken and passed NRA Basic Instructor Training within past 2 years
  • Discipline specific training:  Focuses on rifle operation, maintenance, marksmanship, and range safety.
  • Practical exercises:  Candidates practice teaching and running range exercises.
  • Range qualification:  A high-level demonstration of shooting proficiency is required from multiple shooting positions
  • Materials received:  Students receive the NRA Trainer’s Guide, Rifle Instructor Candidate Packet, and Basic Rifle student packet.
     
Requirements to Become an Instructor
  • Prerequisites:  Must possess solid, existing shooting skills and safe gun handling.
  • Pre-course assessment:  A pre-course questionnaire and practical demonstration of safe, proficient firearm handling is mandatory. Prequalification with a Training Counselor will be scheduled in the weeks prior to the Rifle Instructor course.
  • Certification:  Requires passing both the BIT and the Rifle Instructor examination with a 90% or higher..

You may download an application for the 8 August class here: rifleInstructorcourse_signup

NRA Basic Pistol Instructor

29 August

The NRA Pistol Instructor Course is a 8-hour program designed to develop safe, effective instructors capable of teaching NRA Basic Pistol Shooting courses. It focuses on training techniques, lesson planning, and shooting fundamentals, requiring proficiency in safe gun handling, a pre-course assessment, and passing a written exam.  Prerequisites for this course include taking and passing NRA Basic Pistol and NRA Basic Instructor Training with a score of 90% or higher.

Course Components & Highlights
  • Must have taken and passed NRA Basic Instructor Training within past 2 yearsDis
  • Discipline specific training:  Focuses on pistol operation, maintenance, marksmanship, and range safety.
  • Practical exercises:  Candidates practice teaching and running range exercises.
  • Range qualification:  A high-level demonstration of shooting proficiency is required (often 16 of 20 shots within a 6″ circle at 15 yards).
  • Materials received:  Students receive the NRA Trainer’s Guide, Pistol Instructor Candidate Packet, and Basic Pistol student packet.
     
Requirements to Become an Instructor
  • Prerequisites:  Must possess solid, existing shooting skills and safe gun handling.
  • Pre-course assessment:  A pre-course questionnaire and practical demonstration of safe, proficient firearm handling is mandatory. Prequalification with a Training Counselor will be scheduled in the weeks prior to the Pistol Instructor course.
  • Certification:  Requires passing both the BIT and the Pistol Instructor examination (often with a 90% or higher).

You may download an application for the 29 August class here:  pistolInstructorcourse_signup

NRA Range Safety Officer

17 January 2026

The NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO) program was developed in response to the demand for a nationally recognized range safety officer certification. To become a NRA Range Safety Officer, you must pass the RSO course and demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations. This course does not encompass the functions and responsibilities of a Range Officer, who conducts NRA competitive shooting events as defined by Rule 11.5 of the NRA Rule Books. To become a RSO you can take a course conducted by a Chief RSO, an individual certified to train NRA Range Safety Officers. The RSO course content consists of RSO’s roles and responsibilities, range standard operating procedures, range inspection and range rules, firearm stoppages and malfunctions, and Range Safety Briefings which include procedures to follow in the case of an emergency. RSO’s who have successfully completed the course then have the ability to become a Chief Range Safety Officer, someone essential to training and supervising NRA Range Safety Officers and developing range standard operating procedures.

Questions? Contact NRA TC/CRSO Hank Wheat 207-282-1851 for info. To register for this class, please download a registration form here:  This class now FULL

NRA Chief Range Safety Officer

28 February

This 8-hour course teaches the knowledge, skills and attitude essential to training and supervising NRA range safety officers and developing range standard operating procedures.  Prerequisite: Candidate must be an NRA Certified Range Safety Officer and have completed NRA Basic Instructor Training within the last two (2) hears. Sessions include standard operating procedures, inspections, emergency procedures, firearm stoppages and malfunctions, safety briefings. Students demonstrate organizational and teaching skills via participation in practical exercises and complete an open book exam. Students will receive NRA Basic Range Safety Officer lesson plans, basic student packet and basic course presentation CD.

Questions? Contact NRA TC/CRSO Hank Wheat 207-282-1851 for info. To register for this class, please download a registration form here: THIS CLASS NOW FULL