Ask The Instructor: Instructor Course

Question: I don’t see any NSCA Level I Instructor Courses on the calendar in my area. Are you going to have any more this year? And what should I do to prepare for the course?

Answer: The NSCA Level 1 Instructor Certification Course is the first of three levels of  instructor certification courses offered by the NSCA. In the Level I, the experienced shooter will be trained to instruct beginning and novice shooters. It is a 3-day course with a tuition cost of $600. We regularly host Level I courses around the country at various clubs. For the course schedule, go to myNSCA.com, click on “Instructors” then “Become an Instructor”. (http://nsca.nssa-nsca.org/become-an-instructor). In addition to the course schedule, this page also contains detailed information on the course curriculum, instructor program, prerequisites, standards for certification, as well as the course Certification Manual. The schedule is updated regularly, however, we try to post all courses at least 90 days in advance of the course date. If you don’t see a course date or location that works for you, we recommend checking the online schedule every month or two to avoid missing an opportunity. You can also contact the nearest NSCA Club or one of the Certifying Instructors listed on the website to gauge their interest in hosting a course. Eligibility for the Level I Course is fairly basic. You need to have a minimum of two years of experience shooting sporting clays, be an active member of the NSCA, and be able to pass the shooter proficiency test during the course (you are exempt if you have shot at minimum of 3,000 registered lifetime targets and achieved C Class). You also need to have taken at least two hours of lessons from a NSCA Certified Instructor or equivalent prior to the course (Level II or above is recommended).  To enroll, complete the online application form on the instructor web page and pay with a credit card. To prepare for the class, you will need to be thoroughly familiar with the contents of the Level I Certification Manual, which is also available at the link above. Your Certifying Instructor will contact you prior to the start of the course with further details.