So Why NRA Certification
Posted On: 09-13-2025
The National Rifle Association offers several levels of certification that assist individuals in their efforts to coach and help youth shooters. The benefits are extensive and having those credentials goes a long way to ensuring those one works with are getting the best instruction available with outcomes supporting all shooting sports.
Per the NRA website here are the levels most often achieved:
Junior Trainer
The Junior Trainer provides support to the coach, helping younger shooters learn safety and helping the coach at team activities. The Junior Trainer is recognized only to work under the direct supervision of a Coach (Level 1), Certified Coach (Level 2) or Advanced Certified Coach (Level 3). This level of the Coach Education Program is designed for young people, age 15-17, who show leadership in shooting programs. The Junior Trainer must successfully complete the discipline-specific Level 1 Coach School and obtain the recommendations of a parent and a coach.
Coach (Level 1)
The Coach (Level 1) is the entry level for all NRA coaches and are trained to coach beginning and intermediate shooters. The Level 1 Coach candidate must be at least 18 years old and successfully complete the discipline-specific Level 1 Coach School. The Level 1 Coach is trained to coach beginning and intermediate shooting athletes in a two-day school consisting of both classroom instruction and on-the-range practical coaching exercises. Those desiring to attain a Level 2 or Level 3 Coach credential must become a Level 1 Coach and complete specific additional training.
Certified Coach (Level 2)
The Certified Coach (Level 2) is certified by the NRA and its coach education partners that, in our opinion, and based on the evidence, the candidate meets the additional education and experience requirements which have been established for certification. The Certified Coach is recognized to coach at the national level.
Advanced Certified Coach (Level 3)
The Advanced Certified Coach (Level 3) is the highest level coach certified by the NRA and its coach education partners. The coach has received advanced training and meets the highest requirements that NRA and its coach education partners have established for certification. The Advanced Certified Coach (Level 3) is recognized to coach advanced athletes and is eligible to work at the international level in Junior Olympic Shooting Camps and other USA Shooting sponsored international shooting programs.
Since most will at a minimum achieve the Level I Certification here are some more details:
Level 1 Coaches must be at least age 18. Juniors age 15-17 may attend the school to become an NRA Shotgun Junior Trainer. Participants in this two-day school of classroom instruction and practical exercises are taught how to coach beginning and intermediate shooters in American Trap, American Skeet, Sporting Clays, International Trap and International Skeet.
More Details:
The course is endorsed by ATA, NSSA, NSCA and USA Shooting. The course includes lessons on Safety and Risk Management, Rulebook Use and Etiquette, Coaching Ethics, Equipment, Shotgun Shooting Fundamentals, Coaching Methodology, Coaching Trap, Coaching Skeet, Coaching Sporting Clays, Mental Training, Training Planning, and Building Successful Programs. Schools are conducted wherever and whenever an individual or organization agrees to sponsor a school. The school fee is established and collected by the School Sponsor. The fee includes a coaching study guide, other printed materials, instruction, and credentialing as a Level 1 NRA Shotgun Coach for successful participants.
General Information
- NRA Instructors Portal User Guide
- Training Programs
- Become An NRA Certified Instructor
- Basic Firearms Training
- Contact Training Program Administrators
NRA Online Training Courses
- NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting – Online Course
- Range Safety Officer
- Refuse To Be a Victim Instructor
- Range Development & Operations Course
- Club Leadership and Development
- Hunter Education
Training & Shooting Opportunities
- NRA Day Events
- NRA 3-gun Experience Events
- NRA Coach Schools
- Range Development & Operations Course
- Women’s Wilderness Escape
MYSSA will be offering the NRA Level I course November 8 and 9 at Prairie Grove Sport Shooting Complex. Register here: https://www.nrainstructors.org/CourseDetails.aspx?Courseid=894869&fbclid=IwY2xjawMyhqlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxbWlrcjRTd3Vvd2dNMjhyAR6cHtZF7Uo-yquttKHbNkw0dxSRwTdf03g0JskFDnbI1Rbm9IA9QWJO2eqW2g_aem_ychaJ4DUGcj7LK8j8xVWHA
The class is at Prairie Grove Shooting Sports ,1420 County Rd 276, Columbia MO 65202. 8:00am to 5:00pm on Nov 8, 2025 and 8:00am to 3:00pm on Nov 9, 2025. They need to Bring Cash or Check or if they want they can VENMO me. Please contact me if you need any other info.
Thank You
James Walls
573-819-3289