Become a NRA Certified PPOTH Instructor!

Take your instructor credentials to the highest level by becoming an NRA Certified Personal Protection Outside The Home (PPOTH) Instructor. This advanced instructor certification prepares experienced NRA instructors to teach students the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to safely carry and effectively use a concealed handgun for personal protection outside the home.
The course focuses on developing instructors who can confidently teach advanced defensive pistol techniques while maintaining the NRA’s high standards of safety, professionalism, and instructional excellence. Candidates refine their teaching abilities through classroom presentations, practical coaching exercises, and live-fire instruction.   The NRA is recognized nationally as the gold standard for safe firearm training, developing millions of safe, ethical, responsible shooters and instructors.

Upon course completion, students will become certified NRA PPOTH Instructors.  We also offer a variety of additional NRA Instructor Courses to help you expand your training and credentials, including:

  • Pistol
  • Concealed Carry Workshop (CCW)
  • Personal Protection Inside the home
  • Shotgun
  • Rifle
  • Chief Range Safety Officer
PPOTH Instructor course
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NRA Membership is NOT required to become a NRA Instructor. However, being an NRA member does expedite the process of becoming an Instructor.

NRA PPOTH Instructor Course Overview

The NRA Personal Protection Outside The Home Instructor Course is designed for experienced NRA instructors who are ready to teach advanced concealed carry skills using the official NRA curriculum.

Throughout the course, instructor candidates will practice presenting lessons, coaching shooters on the range, conducting demonstrations, evaluating student performance, and managing live-fire exercises while reinforcing safe firearm handling and effective instructional techniques.

What You’ll Learn:

  • NRA Personal Protection Outside The Home lesson plans
  • Presenting the pistol from concealment
  • Strong-side hip holster techniques
  • Concealed carry methods
  • Drawing and reholstering safely
  • Movement and use of cover
  • Shooting from multiple positions
  • One-handed and two-handed shooting techniques
  • Point shooting
  • Defensive accuracy
  • Special shooting techniques
  • Low-light shooting concepts
  • Student coaching and evaluation
  • Range management and instructor responsibilities
  • Conducting safe live-fire training exercises

Requirements & Course Schedule

Requirements:

  • Be a current NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
  • Be an NRA Certified Personal Protection In The Home (PPITH) Instructor
  • Successfully complete the NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home
  • Demonstrate safe firearm handling, shooting proficiency, and a positive attitude toward firearm safety.
  • Basic Instructor Training (BIT)
    If you have completed BIT within the past two years, you are not required to attend this portion. However, you must provide a valid BIT certificate/card to verify completion in order to be exempt. Failure to provide proof will require you to complete BIT separately, as it is not included with this course and will require an additional fee.

Course Schedule:

Our NRA PPITH Instructor Course is a three day course and covers all the prerequisites to certify you as a NRA PPOTH Instructor. If you already completed some of the prerequisites, you may not need to attend all three days. 

Day 1- NRA Basic PPOTH Course.
If you have already completed the NRA Basic PPOTH Course, you must provide a valid certificate as proof of completion. Failure to provide proof will require you to attend and successfully complete this course.

Day 2 & 3- NRA PPOTH Instructor Course.
You must attend, complete and pass the course.

What to bring to class:

  • Handgun ***NO LIVE AMMUNITION IN THE CLASSROOM***
  • 400 rounds of ammo
  • Holster
  • 2-4 magazines
  • Magazine holder
  • Shirt or vest to cover the holster
  • Laptop or tablet
  • Note taking gear
  • Pens and highlighters
  • 3 ring 1″ Binder
  • Baseball Cap or hat
  • Safety, prescription or sun glasses 
  • Hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs)
  • Footwear that covers both feet entirely 
  • No low cut or “V” neck shirts
  • Hand towel

Cost per student $500 

***NO LIVE AMMUNITION IN THE CLASSROOM***

Class Dates & Times