NRA Pistol Instructor Training Newport NC 1/22/2026 - 1/24/2026

Course is presented in two parts: basic instructor training (BIT), and discipline specific instructor training (Pistol Instructor Course). Candidates demonstrate organizational and teaching skills via participation in practical exercises during the course, and complete an instructor certification examination. Candidates will be provided with the NRA Trainer's Guide, links to the appropriate Lesson Plans and Outlines, Basic Course Student handbooks, required teaching aids, NRA Trainer's Examination and NRA Basic Pistol instructor examination (minimum passing grade is 90%).

Instructor courses are taught by NRA Training Counselors. Your Training Counselors are Erik & Lexen Heck of Home Front Freedom. With decades of firearm instructor experience, you will leave this course well equipped to instruct all levels of potential students. This certification is an excellent way to begin your journey to teach North Carolina Concealed Carry Handgun (CCH) classes.

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 pistol action type. NOTE: This is NOT a course for marginal or recreational shooters.
• 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 Instructor Pistol Shooting Course), and receive the endorsement of the NRA Training Counselor conducting that training.

During the course, you will learn what it means to be an NRA Instructor, 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. In addition, you will be provided links to the appropriate lesson plans and basic course student packets. Role-playing is a major part of an instructor course; therefore, the minimum class size is at least four candidates, with many candidates being ideal. You will all take turns working in teams, actually conducting portions of the course to other candidates who portray basic students. Be prepared for a challenging course.

The Training Counselors will evaluate your performance based on your ability to handle the firearms safely with confidence, use of appropriate training aids, following the lesson plans and meeting all learning objectives, while utilizing the teaching philosophies expected of NRA Certified Instructors. You can also expect to learn the NRA Basic Pistol instructional methods and evaluating and improving the performance of beginning shooters.

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

Instruction time for Pistol Instructor Course is 16 hours minimum (6 hours BIT day 1, 10 hours day 2). This does not include the Student Course held the day prior to the 2-day Instructor Course. Registration options for including the required student course are included.

You will be emailed more information and other various details upon registering for this class.

Prerequisites (not optional):

NRA Pistol Instructor Candidates must complete the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting - Instructor Led Course for all action types and achieve a passing score of 90% or higher. We will conduct this course 1 day prior to the 2 day Instructor Course.

Register and pay using the Registration button on this page. Note: the above course may be bundled with your instructor registration. If you have already completed this course with the minimum requirements, then you will only need to pay for the Instructor Course and provide appropriate documentation of the above required course. Look at payment options below. There are options for the Instructor Course only, and the Instructor Course plus the Basics of Pistol Shooting Instructor Led Course. Please select very carefully. If you have questions, please contact us.

Complete the (pdf). Without this form being completed, you will not be permitted to participate in Instructor Training. Either email it or print it out and send a copy of it to:

• Home Front Freedom
• PO Box 777
• Newport, NC 28570

Complete the Pre-qualification Checklist with a score of 80% or higher. Click here for your pre-qualification checklist (pdf). This will be performed on day 1 of the training. If time permits and all particpants are enrolled in the Basics of Pistol Shooting Course the day prior, we may opt to perform this on that day instead. Make sure you practice the range part prior to arrival and use a gun that you can shoot 6 inch groups at 15 yards. The goal is to get at least 16 of 20 rounds in a 6 inch circle. Additionally, review the correct gun loading, unloading, cocking, and decocking methods for each action type, you learned in the Basics of Pistol Shooting (Instructor Led Training). Make sure you understand how to clear malfunctions. (If you are attending the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Instructor Led Course prior, these may be completed then).

***Please remember NRA Instructor Courses are performance based courses, Instructor Candidates must possess the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for this level of training. You MUST be an experienced shooter and possess the qualities of an instructor. You do not pay and automatically pass Instructor training. You pay to have the opportunity to pass and become an NRA Instructor.***

The Price for this course includes BIT. The BIT for this particular course will be held the first instructor training day at 8 AM. This course will require a minimum of 4 Instructor Candidates registered with the prerequisites started no later than 4 weeks prior. If this number is not met, the course will be cancelled. We look forward to a full class!

Registration deadline: 1 weeks prior! Early Bird pricing ends 30 days prior.

Upon completing this registration, if you have not already done so, you must also register on the NRA website ()

Still have questions? Call us at (252) 515-0855!

Also check out other Workshops in Newport, Sports events in Newport, Meetups in Newport.