by Heidi Lyn Rao

All NRA Firearms Instructors need to be aware of the new NRA Trainer Credential Fee Structure that went into effect February 1, 2026. These changes replace the old fees that have been in place since 2019. These new fees apply to current and future NRA Certified Instructors. It is also the responsibility of all NRA Training Counselors to explain these credentialing fees to new NRA Instructor Candidates when teaching them how to log into their NRA Instructor Dashboard and credential as an instructor.

As an NRA Training Counselor, I frequently have both NRA members and non- NRA members in my Basic and Instructor firearm courses. The credentialing fees always start a conversation in class, and the discussion continues about the benefits of becoming an NRA member. Under the old fees, it was actually cheaper to become an NRA Certified Instructor without being an NRA member!

Old Credentialing Fees

Under the old fee structure, NRA Instructors were required to pay these fees when credentialing their first instructor rating and when adding instructor ratings to remain as an “active” instructor. The old fees were as follows:

Credentialing Fees:

NRA Members – $35.00

Non-NRA Members – $60.00 Additional Rating Activation Fees:

NRA Members – $15.00

Non-NRA Members – $30.00

New Credentialing Fees (effective 2-1-2026)

Credentialing Fees:

NRA Members – $40.00

Non-NRA Members – $175.00 Additional Rating Activation Fees:

NRA Members – $20.00

Non-NRA Members – $40.00

An NRA Firearms Instructor is required to maintain valid NRA credentials to present himself or herself as an “NRA Certified Instructor.” When you become an NRA Certified Instructor, there are certain NRA Credentialing rules you must follow. Failing to follow the rules or missing the credential deadlines can result in no certification.

These rules are regardless of the discipline an instructor candidate chooses to become credentialed in. An NRA discipline is the specific NRA course that is taken. Some of these classes include “live fire courses” such as Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Concealed Carry Workshop (CCW), Personal Protection In the Home (PPITH), and Personal Protection Outside the Home (PPOTH).  Some of the “non-live fire courses” include NRA Chief

Range Safety Officer (Chief RSO), Metallic Cartridge Reloading, and Shotgun Shell Reloading.

The first rule to follow is that the instructor candidate has thirty (30) days after completing the course in the desired discipline to credential (pay for their certification to become active with their new NRA Instructor rating) after the NRA Training Counselor closes out the class and submits the course report to the NRA Education & Training Division. The NRA Training Counselor has ten (10) days to close out the class after completion of the NRA Instructor Course. Failing to credential within thirty (30) days can result in late fees. Depending upon how long credentials are overdue or expired can result in nullification of certification and having to repeat the course(s). The current credentialing fees are $40 for NRA members and $175 for non-NRA members.

The second rule is that an NRA Firearms Instructor must renew their credentials every two years prior to their expiration date. The NRA Training Department opens an instructor’s renewal sixty (60) days before they expire. An instructor’s renewal date is two

(2) years from the original date of his or her first credentialing date. Once again, to remain active, an NRA Firearms Instructor must renew their credentials prior to their credential’s expiration date. The current renewal fees are $40 for NRA members and $175 for non- NRA members.

The third rule is that NRA Firearms Instructors must credential any additional disciplines they complete. Just like the original credential, additional ratings must be credentialed within thirty (30) days after completing the course in that discipline. Any additional ratings are credentialed at a reduced price. All credentials are due and expire on the same date. This is so the instructor only has to keep up with one due date as opposed to multiple expiration dates. The current additional rating activation fee is $20 for NRA members and $40 for non-NRA members.

The new fees were necessary for several reasons:

1. Investments in digital systems,
2. Upgrades to the instructor portal,
3. Development of new courses,
4. Expanded instructor resources,
5. Curriculum development, and
6. Overall program support.

These new fees make it beneficial to become an NRA member, even though NRA Certified Instructors are not required to be NRA members. Afterall, it just makes sense that an individual who belongs to an organization is going to put more heart and soul into their classes than someone who does not have a stake in it. In other words, members believe in the NRA and what the NRA stands for – the 2^nd Amendment. NRA Certified Firearms Instructors should all be NRA members!

In Summary:

NRA Credentialing Fees – NRA Non-Member vs NRA Member

After completion of the Instructor course, those who are Non-NRA Members pay their first Instructor credentialing fee of $175 to activate their NRA Instructor rating for a term of 2-years, to remain as an active NRA Instructor. Additional Instructor ratings can then be added at an activation fee of $40 per rating, regardless of how many ratings are being added.

After completion of the Instructor course, those who are NRA Members pay their first Instructor credentialing fee of $40 to activate their NRA Instructor rating for a term of 2-years to remain as an active NRA Instructor. Additional Instructor ratings can then be added at an activation fee of $20 per rating, regardless of how many ratings are being added.

At the end of 2-years, NRA Instructor ratings must be renewed to remain “active” as an NRA Instructor. The renewal date is the last day of the month the first NRA Instructor course was credentialed or activated.

Every 2 years, Non-NRA members pay one $175 fee to renew all of their Instructor certifications;

Every 2 years, NRA members pay one $40 fee to renew all of their Instructor certifications.

You do not need to be an NRA Member to be an NRA Instructor, but membership has its benefits!