AZ DPS will not accept our USCCA instructor Cert to teach Armed Security Guards?? They say only NRA instructor can teach that.
There are 6 of us. We need advice/help!!!
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Go and become NRA Certified Instructor.
It’s not complicated, just takes some time.
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Can we just honor both Certificates?
Looks like only USCCA Instructor means something here… do you really think there’ are no USCCA “moron” Instructors?
There’s no better or worse… and as you can see sometimes NRA is recognized more that USCCA….
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So we have different experience and perspective.
Congrats on your “bought NRA Cert”. I actually EARNED mine (by knowledge and skills) … but it probably vary between the States. 
Unfortunately such NRA Counselors shouldn’t hold this position.
Anyway, my point is that we do the same at this Community trying make each of us better and there is no place to make fun of or to ridicule others achievements.
Perhaps something you bought by simple sending a check took others their time to be educated, verified and then certified…. 
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First, others already gave the the best advice… suck it up and get NRA certified. That requires four training days: one day to take Basics of Pistol Shooting (BoPS), one day of Basic Instructor Training (BIT), and two days of BoPS Instructor Training. NRA TCs always teach the BIT and instructor class back to back, so that is a three day sequence.
While a few here have accused NRA of running a pay-to-play scheme, that is not true. To pass and be certified you have to demonstrate a short teach-back of one topic (just like CCHDF Instructor class), pass a multiple choice written test, and successfully fire a range qualification. If you can pass the CCHDF Instructor live fire requirement, you will have no problem passing the NRA BoPS Instructor qualification.
I will note that just as BoPS is a little less rigorous content than a full CCHDF, so the NRA instructor class is a bit less rigorous than the USCCA class.
As for getting DPS to accept USCCA Instructor along with NRA, that is a LOT more work. It will require a concerted lobbying effort at the state state legislature, with at least one state senator and one state representative willing to put in a lot of effort to push the billl through. For help, contact USCCA headquarters. The have undertaken this task in a few states.
Finally, remember that NRA was founded in 1871 to teach rifle marksmanship, while USCCA started operating only in 2003. NRA has a century and a half of public recognition, but USCCA has less than a quarter century. Public awareness and perceptions matter when trying to get new laws passed.
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I can’t find a number or email for USCCA HQ.
Any chance someone has this information?
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scroll to the bottom of this page…
click on Contact Us
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That was hard.
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Not sure when you were certified, but my instructor certs are all relatively recent:
- Completed NRA BoPS in 2006
- NRA BIT & BoPS Instructor 2021
- USCCA CCHDF Instructor 2022
- USCCA DSF1 Instructor 2022
- NRA PPITH & PPOTH Instructor 2023
In every one of the instructor classes (both NRA and USCCA) every instructor candidate had to perform a teach-back, as well as meet shooting skills requirements
Tip for NRA BoPS Instructor Candidates: certified instructors are supposed to be familiar with both semi-auto and revolver handguns. If you have no revolver experience, try to find a knowledgable buddy or a range that rents revolvers and at least handle and fire both a single action ( SA “cowboy”) revolver and a typical single action/double action (SA/DA) revolver. For the SA revolver I recommend a Heritage Rough Rider, or Ruger Wrangler or Single Six in .22LR. For the SA/DA I recommend any S&W, Colt, Taurus, or Ruger with an exposed hammer in .22Lr or .38SP. Avoid higher calibers for your first experience in both types.
….
As for NRA public perception and internal affairs problems, none of that has been about NRA training & education programs. It has all been about the political activism of NRA and internal financial corruption.
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Scroll down to bottom of page click on ABOUT USCCA then click on contact us.
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NRA Certifications are still more recognized than USCCA.
I used mine to obtain Non Resident Concealed Weapon Permit in Florida and actually that was the only certification that allowed me to apply for that permit without showing in Florida.
For me it really doesn’t matter who issues the Certifications, as long the curriculum of the course covers all the knowledge and skills needed to make a great Instructors who will successfully pass their knowledge to next students and make them better people (Responsibility Armed Americans) .
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Varies more instructor to instructor rather than state to state is my guess. Begs the question “ where is the oversight?”
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That’s what I had to do to get my NRA cert 16yrs ago in SW Florida.
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Welcome to the community, JG1!
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