Advanced Pistol Instructor

The NRA created this elite certification to identify those instructors who are extremely experienced, highly trained, and have demonstrated a commitment to both personal development and the training of others.

Unlike all other firearm instructor certifications which only require participation in a short class, API’s are appointed by an NRA review board.   There are about 110,000 NRA certified instructors, fewer than 300 of them have been certified as Advanced Pistol Instructors, that’s about one quarter of one percent of all instructors.

API’s are the only instructors approved to teach the NRA Defensive Pistol class.  This module takes the student to that next level in shooting skills specifically the tactics and gunhandling development that anyone serious about concealed carry or competitive shooting need to succeed.