NRA Training Counselor Workshop (TCWS)

What is a Training Counselor and a TC Workshop?

NRA Training Counselors (TCs) are experienced, active instructors who have been specifically trained and appointed by the NRA Training Department to conduct NRA instructor training courses. 

TCWS's are designed to instill experienced instructors with the attitude, knowledge and skills necessary to train NRA certified instructors, how to teach shooting skills in accordance with NRA nationally recognized training standards.  In discipline-specific training sessions you will acquire hands-on experience using the NRA Training Counselor Guide, which will be provided to you at the time the workshop convenes.

NRA Approval to Attend a Workshop

To gain approval to attend a TCWS you must:

• Complete the TC Workshop Application
• Have a strong background of shooting experience and possess an in-depth knowledge of firearms and firearm safety
• Possess a detailed knowledge of the methods, materials, policies and procedures of the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program
• Be an NRA certified Instructor in at least one shooting discipline (RSO, CRSO, Home Firearm Safety and the Reloading disciplines do not meet this criteria)
• Have been active for the most current two years as an NRA certified Instructor
• Have taught or served in a leadership capacity during the conduct of at least five (5) NRA Basic Firearm Training courses, in any of those disciplines for which you are currently certified as an NRA Instructor, and
• Have properly taught an aggregate total of 25 or more students.

Having copies of your complete Course Report Forms will reduce approval time significantly.

Approval to attend a TCWS can only be granted by the Training Counselor Program Coordinator.  The means by which one makes application to attend a workshop is to visit the Web Page at www.nrahq.org/education/training/instructor_app.asp, download the Application to attend a TC Workshop, fill it in completely and submit the application to DR Security & Training, at least three weeks prior to the date of the workshop you wish to attend.  It is imperative that with your application, you provide your NRA member or Instructor ID number as requested.  You will be notified in writing of your approval status approximately two (2) weeks prior to the convening date of the workshop. 

Once approved, should you choose to attend a workshop, please understand that this approval does not guarantee you will be recommended by the Senior Training Counselor (STC) or workshop staff to become a Training Counselor or appointed by the Training Department as a Training Counselor.  

TC Certification Process

To be considered for appointment as a Training Counselor, you must:

•  Have successfully completed an NRA Training Counselor Workshop
• Receive a favorable recommendation from the TCWS staff and the NRA Training Counselor Appointment Committee, and
• Be a member of the NRA at the time of your appointment.

Before appointment as a TC will be considered, there are several items that must be completed and submitted to the Training Counselor Program Coordinator through the workshop staff so as to arrive at the NRA Training Department within 120 days after completion of the workshop.  Any applicant not meeting the deadline will be required to attend another TCWS in order to be further considered for appointment as an NRA Training Counselor.  The items needed are:

• The triple-fold TC Application (not to be confused with the application to attend a workshop)
• A $20.00 one time application Processing Fee
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• A Signature Card complete with mailing address and original signature, and
• A completed workshop participant Evaluation form. 

It is important to understand that a TC candidate will become a TC only in those disciplines for which certified as an NRA Instructor.  Adding a rating once you are a TC is easily accomplished by completing that instructor training through another TC who is already certified in the discipline you wish to add.  After successful completion of the workshop, if already certified as an NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO) the TC will be certified as a Chief Range Safety Officer (CRSO) authorizing him/her to conduct the Basic Range Safety Officer course, and after 01 April 2007, the Chief Range Safety Officer course as well. 

Appointment as a TC is at the discretion of the Training Department and can be revoked at any time if determined to be in the best interest of the NRA Training Department to do so.  Training Counselor Workshops are conducted at various times and locations across the country.  Workshop schedules are provided on the NRA Web Sit and published in the Shooting Education Update (SEU).  Up-to-date information is most easily obtained on the NRA’s Web Page at www.nrahq.org/education/training/training_counselor.asp.

What You Take Home

All NRA Training Counselor Workshops provide a complete set of educational materials needed to train new NRA Instructors, including:

• The complete NRA 550-page Training Counselor Guide, with TC lesson plans for every NRA Instructor discipline.
• The newest copies of ALL NRA Instructor Lesson plans (for teaching the basic student courses), including:
  • NRA Trainers Guide
  • Basic Pistol
  • Muzzleloading Pistol
  • Basic Rifle
  • Muzzleloading Rifle
  • Basic Shotgun
  • Muzzleloading Shotgun
  • Personal Protection in the Home
  • Personal Protection Outside the Home (when available)
  • Metallic Cartridge Reloading
  • Shotgun Shell Reloading
• A complete NRA Home Firearm Safety Instructor and Student Packet, with self-study certification forms, to be used by TC candidates who do not already hold that discipline (allows that discipline to be added by just taking the included examination).
  • Basic Firearms Training Program brochure
  • Gun Safety Rules brochure
  • Become and NRA Instructor brochure
  • Home Firearm Safety student manual
  • Instructor/ Range Safety Officer Application
  • NRA Training Department Envelope
• Instructor Training Report
• Course Report Forms
• Instructor Materials Order Form
• Training Counselor Application
• Letters of Recommendation Forms
• NRA Instructor Course Completion Certificate
• Training Counselor Embroidered Cap
• DR Security & Training extras -
  • Special CD packed with useful training handouts, PowerPoint slides for most NRA courses, graphics and programs
  • Two Training Counselor Binders that hold all the supplied Instructor Lesson Plans

Attending the DR Security & Training Sponsored Workshop

For NRA Certified Instructor who would like to qualify as an NRA Certified Training Counselor, the tuition fee would be $400.00, plus an additional $130 to cover the NRA training materials provided to each TC candidate (a $160 value). 

If interested, please complete online application at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of the scheduled Workshop.  You will be contacted and informed of the final registration steps you will need to follow.  A deposit of $130 will be requested at time of NRA approval to cover ordering of the entire set of manuals.

For Specific Information on this scheduled TC Workshop, 

Please Contact TC Email

or call 516-241-8611

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