NRA Recertification Future Requirements

[sjfcontrol]

I'm afraid if I have to also teach a periodic formal NRA class (and can find students for it), keep up my NRA certs, take NRA renewal classes/training, take DPS renewal classes/training -- there are starting to be too many hoops to jump through to justify continuing CHL instruction.

I don't believe there are any renewal classes/training for the NRA Instructor Certs are there? I believe you just need to ensure you pay the NRA every two years.

As far as teaching a formal NRA class, I'm sure that teaching a class for the Boy Scouts or some other organization every once in a while would be worth it to keep up the NRA Cert, which will allow you to keep the DPS Cert.

According to earlier in this threas, there are going to be NRA renewal requirements.

[getsome]

I'm afraid if I have to also teach a periodic formal NRA class (and can find students for it), keep up my NRA certs, take NRA renewal classes/training, take DPS renewal classes/training -- there are starting to be too many hoops to jump through to justify continuing CHL instruction.

I don't believe there are any renewal classes/training for the NRA Instructor Certs are there? I believe you just need to ensure you pay the NRA every two years.

As far as teaching a formal NRA class, I'm sure that teaching a class for the Boy Scouts or some other organization every once in a while would be worth it to keep up the NRA Cert, which will allow you to keep the DPS Cert.

According to earlier in this threas, there are going to be NRA renewal requirements.

Yeah, I read that part... "Instructor Re-certification will require documented activity conducted since your previous renewal and satisfactorily completing an online Instructor Refresher course."

I guess for me, it doesn't seem to complicated to give a class that can be documented and take an online class. Now if they require a certain amount of students or a certain amount of documented classes, then that might change the story.

[nightmare]

Page 2 and nobody has blamed this on the instructors who teach non-resident classes yet. That's a new record.

[skeathley]

I schedule a First Steps class every month or two. That gives me documented activity, and provides some potential clients for a CHL class later. The purpose of NRA Instructors is to represent the NRA, and by extension, the 2A, to the public. I don't mind doing that. Anyone that does, should not do it.

SK

[Crossfire]

Page 2 and nobody has blamed this on the instructors who teach non-resident classes yet. That's a new record.

[A-R]

I'm writing this realizing it may not be a popular opinion. But I'll suffer the sling and arrows ...

I understand fully why DPS had to make this change based on the pre-existing state law requiring prior NRA, TCOLE, or other pistol instructor certification. But, frankly, this is one of the reasons (there were other reasons involving personal time after starting a new job recently) why I decided to let my Texas CHL instructor certification lapse this year.

During the 2-3 years I was certified, I only taught sporadically. Just a few CHL classes per year as I was able to gather up enough students to make it worth my time. This was a part-time side job that I did more for my appreciation of RKBA & CHL than for any monetary gain. With the initial one-week DPS class + whatever bi-annual recertification would be necessary, I had no problem with the previous set up.

But adding in the NRA certification (which I did obtain last summer) + the NRA's requirements that you teach a certain number of THEIR classes (not Texas CHL classes) to maintain NRA certification, the whole mess just became not worth my time anymore.

I hope that moving forward this whole process can be streamlined to encourage more instructors such as myself, who have the knowledge and skill to teach these classes, but not the time to devote to maintaining multiple accreditations and teaching multiple classes in multiple formats just to maintain those credentials.

I would hope someone is working on a bill to streamline this format, but if the NRA has a vested interest in maintaining this newfound status quo - I have my doubts any such bill will be filed.

Caveat: I have no problem with the NRA. I actually enjoyed the NRA instructor course. But their requirement to order and utilize their printed materials ($$$) and teach their specific curriculum in their specific class formats in order to maintain their credentials seems to stretch the original intent of requiring prior handgun instructor credentials in order to obtain DPS CHL credentials.

As long as an instructor is competent and can prove that competency by passing DPS CHL Instructor requirements, the addition of maintaining separate NRA credentials should not be required. The NRA courses are worthwhile. But they provide extra and optional curriculum not directly required for the teaching of a Texas CHL class. There is no valid reason why a Texas CHL Instructor should be required to maintain and teach two different curriculums.

[The_Busy_Mom]

I received my CHL instructor certification in March 2014. I took the required NRA pistol instructor course prior and this thread has made be think of a question. Are we required to maintain our NRA certifications in order to maintain our CHL certification or was the NRA certification a one time deal? Also I don't recall them saying in class what the Instructor renewal process is. Can someone share what they know. Thanks.

Interesting question. The requirement is in section 411.190:

Sec. 411.190. QUALIFIED HANDGUN INSTRUCTORS. (a) The director may certify as a qualified handgun instructor a person who:
(1) is certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement or under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, to instruct others in the use of handguns;
(2) regularly instructs others in the use of handguns and has graduated from a handgun instructor school that uses a nationally accepted course designed to train persons as handgun instructors; or
(3) is certified by the National Rifle Association of America as a handgun instructor.

Would completing an NRA pistol instructor class, but not renewing the certification, meet the requirement of (2) as long as you regularly teach?

If not for subpart 3) I would say yes. However, the specific controls over the general and the specific mention of NRA Certification and it being current is a major problem. Also, if the CHL course is the only course taught, then that is another problem as the CHL course has correctly been determined not to be a course "to instruct others in the use of handgun."

The law needs to change.
Chas.

Charles -- glad you added that last part. Up to then, you seemed at best -- neutral on the subject. I teach a Basic Pistol class, but it's not an official NRA class. People looking for firearm instruction are generally preparing to take the CHL class, so my pistol class is designed toward that end. I'm afraid if I have to also teach a periodic formal NRA class (and can find students for it), keep up my NRA certs, take NRA renewal classes/training, take DPS renewal classes/training -- there are starting to be too many hoops to jump through to justify continuing CHL instruction. Which I would sorely miss as I really enjoy it.

I don't know anybody more qualified to get the law changed than YOU!

So, what are some of the "...handgun instructor school(s) that uses a nationally accepted course designed to train persons as handgun instructors"? Where, other than the NRA, can an individual (not LEO) go to get this training and graduate from the denoted school? I am a member of the NRA, and I support the NRA, but if I only have to go to one program and graduate, and not have to worry about this ever again, save for documenting that I teach beyond CHL, it might be worth it. But I want programs that DPS will say meet the above requirement, not Google's version of 'handgun instructor school'. TCOLE is covered in #1, NRA is covered in #3, so what are the programs that would meet the requirement for #2?

TBM

[RossA]

When I took my required NRA course (solely to keep my CHL instructor's certificate) I was told that you must teach at least one NRA certified class each year to keep your NRA certification.
What that means to me is that I will find a friend or family member once a year and order the NRA class materials for them, and teach the class at no charge.
Why will I do this? Because I have never had anyone, zero, zip, nada, ever express any desire for an NRA class.
People come to me in order to either take the CHL class or to take basic pistol instruction, but from a totally different perspective than what the NRA basic pistol class requires.

[cw3van]

I received my CHL instructor certification in March 2014. I took the required NRA pistol instructor course prior and this thread has made be think of a question. Are we required to maintain our NRA certifications in order to maintain our CHL certification or was the NRA certification a one time deal? Also I don't recall them saying in class what the Instructor renewal process is. Can someone share what they know. Thanks.

Interesting question. The requirement is in section 411.190:

Sec. 411.190. QUALIFIED HANDGUN INSTRUCTORS. (a) The director may certify as a qualified handgun instructor a person who:
(1) is certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement or under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, to instruct others in the use of handguns;
(2) regularly instructs others in the use of handguns and has graduated from a handgun instructor school that uses a nationally accepted course designed to train persons as handgun instructors; or
(3) is certified by the National Rifle Association of America as a handgun instructor.

Would completing an NRA pistol instructor class, but not renewing the certification, meet the requirement of (2) as long as you regularly teach?

If not for subpart 3) I would say yes. However, the specific controls over the general and the specific mention of NRA Certification and it being current is a major problem. Also, if the CHL course is the only course taught, then that is another problem as the CHL course has correctly been determined not to be a course "to instruct others in the use of handgun."

The law needs to change.
Chas.

Charles -- glad you added that last part. Up to then, you seemed at best -- neutral on the subject. I teach a Basic Pistol class, but it's not an official NRA class. People looking for firearm instruction are generally preparing to take the CHL class, so my pistol class is designed toward that end. I'm afraid if I have to also teach a periodic formal NRA class (and can find students for it), keep up my NRA certs, take NRA renewal classes/training, take DPS renewal classes/training -- there are starting to be too many hoops to jump through to justify continuing CHL instruction. Which I would sorely miss as I really enjoy it.

I don't know anybody more qualified to get the law changed than YOU!

So, what are some of the "...handgun instructor school(s) that uses a nationally accepted course designed to train persons as handgun instructors"? Where, other than the NRA, can an individual (not LEO) go to get this training and graduate from the denoted school? I am a member of the NRA, and I support the NRA, but if I only have to go to one program and graduate, and not have to worry about this ever again, save for documenting that I teach beyond CHL, it might be worth it. But I want programs that DPS will say meet the above requirement, not Google's version of 'handgun instructor school'. TCOLE is covered in #1, NRA is covered in #3, so what are the programs that would meet the requirement for #2?

TBM

If you teach firearms under Texas Occupational Code 1702 level 3 security (Armed Security) or a federal firearm program which is mostly Federal LEOs instructors. I enjoyed the NRA instructor program but whether I keep it will depend on how much more is required in order for it to remain active. I have NRA classes listed on my academy web to date no calls for any of the basic courses I'm certified in. Love the NRA am a life member so will see.

[sjfcontrol]

If I understand this guy correctly, it sounds line ANY training (not just NRA courses) would be acceptable for renewing our disciplines.
Also sounds like at least ONE training between renewals (2-years).

[youtube][/youtube]

[RossA]

That sure sounds like what he's saying. So if that's the case, all I have to do is report to NRA once every two years that I have taught a Texas CHL class and I should be good.
Does anyone else hear what he says differently?
Charles, what do you think about this?

[The_Busy_Mom]

I do agree that he is saying it isn't just NRA classes that need to be reported. However, a major word used throughout this presentation is 'active' or 'connected'. One TX CHL class every two years, IMO, won't reach the status of being an 'active' instructor. However, it makes me happy to see that NRA might accept other forms of instruction. I don't recall him saying, though, that NRA classes wouldn't be required. Just that other forms of instruction would be considered.

TBM

[sjfcontrol]

As I read it, connected just meant you have to be able to log on from a computer (thru the internet).

[The_Busy_Mom]

Correct, connected as through the computer. But also actively connected, meaning that you are going to the instructor portal, putting in your training classes, following the notices the big guys are sending through, etc. It's just a theme I noticed throughout the presentation.

TBM

[RossA]

I think I may go to the instructor site and see if I can enter some of the CHL classes that I have done and see what kind of feedback I get.