Description: This school is our premier handgun instructor school. Students are taught classroom instructional methods, how to effectively teach firearm operator skills, and how to develop dynamic and practical range training relevant to their agency's needs. Drills on the range enforce skills in the areas of coaching, accurate shot placement, multiple threats, decision-making, shooting while moving, identifying threats and firing in reduced light, tactical use of cover, concealed-carry training, one-handed malfunction clearing, firing from unconventional positions, and use of verbal commands. Each student makes a classroom presentation and must demonstrate his or her understanding of the course content through a written exam and pass a shooting skills proficiency course.

Training Audience: Public and private law enforcement officers and military personnel who are currently assigned, or are about to be assigned, to duties as law enforcement firearm instructors.

Prerequisite(s): All applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. who must also be able to lawfully possess firearms and ammunition. Additionally, applicants must meet one of the following six criteria: a "sworn" law enforcement officer, retired or previously employed "sworn" law enforcement officer, licensed "armed" private security officer, member of the United States Armed Forces, full-time civilian firearm instructor who is employed by a public law enforcement agency, or full-time civilian contractor.

Physical skills - All students must be physically capable of safely completing all range drills with both their right and left hands

Course Length: 40-hours

Certification: NRA Law Enforcement Handgun Instructor certification is applied for upon successful completion of the school and tuition paid in full.

Textbook: Training materials will be provided in class.

Equipment Needs: The following equipment is REQUIRED and must be provided by the student for ALL firearm instructor development schools:

Duty Handgun: A duty-type, law enforcement handgun

Magazines or speed-loader: If using a semi-automatic pistol, bring a minimum of four magazines (five if the magazine capacity is less than 10). If using a revolver, bring a minimum of five speed-loaders.

Holster, Belt and Ammunition Carrier Pouches: The holster must be department or agency issued, duty-type (patrol), strong-side directional draw, equipped with a handgun retention device and securely fastened to the gun belt. Speed-loaders and/or magazine pouches must also be equipped with retention devices.

Eye Protection, Ear Protection and Baseball Style Cap: Safety glasses must be of the wraparound type or employ side panels. If wearing prescription glasses, they must be covered with safety glasses unless they meet the above requirements. Ear plugs or ear muffs (preferred) and a baseball cap with bill to deflect ejected brass must also be worn. NOTE: Students will NOT be allowed on the range without wraparound or side-panel safety glasses.

Appropriate Clothing: Students should bring appropriate clothing to participate in the range exercises consistent with prevailing weather conditions. Range exercises will be conducted in inclement weather unless a safety hazard exists. NOTE: Shorts are NOT appropriate law enforcement range clothing.

Duty Flashlight: Law enforcement, hand-held, duty-type flashlight capable of one-handed operation

Note Taking Materials: Pen, pencil and paper to take notes in the classroom and on the range, and a jumbo permanent marker for use on the range

Cleaning Equipment: Appropriate cleaning equipment for the firearm being utilized at the school. NOTE: There is no time allotted during the school for the cleaning of firearms. Students will be expected to perform cleaning of their respective firearms on their own time.

Knee and Elbow Pads: Knee and elbow pads are optional for kneeling and prone position shooting.

In addition to the above mentioned required equipment, the following is ALSO necessary for this school:

Back-up or off-duty firearm and equipment. May be a duty pistol or revolver. Holster may be IWB, ankle, paddle, fanny-pack, or other suitable concealed-carry holster. At least one magazine pouch and 3 magazines or speed-loaders are required.

Cover garment for concealed-carry range exercises.

800 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition. 400 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition (for off-duty pistol).

Pennsylvania Department of Health Continuing Education Hours: None

Host Site Contact: Kevin Bernard, Law Enforcement Training Coordinator, office: 610-344-4619 or via email at Kbernard@chesco.org.

Course Contact: NRA Law Enforcement Division; Phone: (703) 267-1640 or via email LE@nrahq.org

Class Registration: Class Registration for this course is not done through this website. Course Fees: Payment of tuition fees to the NRA is required prior to week of school. In addition a $100.00 Range fee payable to the Host Agency is due at class.

Send Application, copy of LE Officer or Armed Guard photo ID and tuition payment to: