Expenses?

[packinmama]

I have filled out my app online and am waiting for the email telling me when my class will be. I am just wondering what kind of expenses are there when you teach a class other than range fees and renting a space to hold the class?

[apostate]

It depends what else you offer students. If you plan to take photos, hand out course materials, or provide lunch, those are all (potentially deductible) business expenses. A laptop computer. A projector if you use powerpoints (or video clips) and one doesn't come with the classroom rental. Rental guns. Hats, t-shirts, badges, sashes and tiaras. The sky is the limit.

At the other end of the scale, someone could teach in their living room or back yard. Depending on the size of the back yard (and improvements, and local laws) that could also accommodate the range test. (I believe DPS doesn't register ranges anymore.)

[Crossfire]

Sashes and tiaras.... that's what we have been missing!

Actually, startup costs vary greatly dpending on what your situation it. Are you going to be starting a business, working for yourself? Or, are you going to be a range employee? Are you just going to stand and talk? Or, are you going to use a Powepoint presentation?

After startup costs - (laptop, projector, portable sound system, camera, printer, etc) you also have ongoing costs. Probably our biggest ongoing expense is printing. We print lessons plans, application forms (yes, even if you apply online, you still need to send in some paperwork), a large envelope to send in the application, and the CHL-16 lawbook.

And we also have facility costs - room rental, lunch, snacks, drinks, and then range fees.

So, are we getting rich doing this? No, not in money. But, we make about 30 new friends every month, and that makes it all worthwhile!

[packinmama]

I will be a range employee and they will have a projector. I already have a laptop. I didn't think about the camera. Do I need a special type or can I just use any digital camera and get the little portable printer?

So after I have my license to teach, there are not other fees I have to pay to the state for each person that comes to the course or each class I teach or anything?

[Crossfire]

If you are going to take the passport photos, any decent digital camera works. You just have to work on getting the size right.

More important is the printer. The printer has more responsibility for the quality of the photo than the camera. We use an Epson PictureMate, because it it small, easily portable, and automatically sizes the photos correctly. It also has the added benefit of printing directly from the camera, without tying up the PC. Others on here have other solutions. You will find what works for you.

There is no longer a fee to DPS for each student. We used to have to pay for the completion certificates, but they finally stopped that.

[Jumping Frog]

Don't forget general liability insurance.

[packinmama]

OH yes! Liability Insurance! I forgot about that. What does that typically run?

[Crossfire]

Check with NRA on instructor insurance. They will have the best price, by far. The annual premium will depend on how much insurance you want to purchase.

[sjfcontrol]

Check with NRA on instructor insurance. They will have the best price, by far. The annual premium will depend on how much insurance you want to purchase.

Crossfire -- do you need to be an NRA-certified instructor to qualify?

[Crossfire]

Check with NRA on instructor insurance. They will have the best price, by far. The annual premium will depend on how much insurance you want to purchase.

Crossfire -- do you need to be an NRA-certified instructor to qualify?

I don't know the answer to that. Since we are NRA-certified, I never thought to check into that.

[seconds]

Ditto much of this. I work out of my living room for now and then go to local gun range. I picked up some "training guns" though I winced when I saw the price of the ASP red guns. Bought a couple of these http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Hard-Rubbe ... 339&sr=8-2. Also consider some Kodak glossy photo paper. I use lots of props when I teach. Includes an empty bottle of Glenlivet when we speak of "intoxication" and the lack of formal numeric definition. Not sure where you would get an empty bottle of unblended 12 year old scotch, but you could... oh, wait, nevermind.

seconds

[Charles L. Cotton]

Check with NRA on instructor insurance. They will have the best price, by far. The annual premium will depend on how much insurance you want to purchase.

Crossfire -- do you need to be an NRA-certified instructor to qualify?

Yes you do have to be NRA Certified, but if you get the "plus" coverage, it covers anything you teach; not just NRA courses.

Chas.

[Greybeard]

There has been talk for many years about DPS using people's DL photo on the CHL. If Mr. Murphy has anything to do with it, that might finally get implemented the week right after you purchase new equipment.

[tbrown]

There has been talk for many years about DPS using people's DL photo on the CHL. If Mr. Murphy has anything to do with it, that might finally get implemented the week right after you purchase new equipment.

Kind of like the instructors who got their notary public commission and now DPS has students do affidavits online without being notarized.

[DoubleActionCHL]

There has been talk for many years about DPS using people's DL photo on the CHL. If Mr. Murphy has anything to do with it, that might finally get implemented the week right after you purchase new equipment.

Kind of like the instructors who got their notary public commission and now DPS has students do affidavits online without being notarized.

Or a thousand fingerprint cards and half dozen ink pads and DPS announces 2 months later that they're discontinuing ink prints; this is AFTER an email from DPS telling me "Don't worry, we'll always accept ink prints. The electronic prints are just preferred."