When you complete our NRA-certified Range Safety Officer training class you'll wear the RSO emblem proudly: the patch, the lapel pin, the cap, and the other insignia of your solid training and readiness to serve. The NRA Range Safety Officer program was developed in response to the demand for a nationally-recognized Range Safety Officer ("RSO") certification.

NRA Range Safety Officers are people who possess the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations.

We hold Range Safety Officer training classes in the Columbia, SC, area but you do not need to be a South Carolina resident to take our classes. We welcome residents of every state. Range Safety Officer class schedule.

Our Range Safety Officer class is complete in one day. We hold it within easy driving distance of the State capital and near major Interstate highways (I-20, I-26, and I-77), the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), and the Columbia AMTRAK station with daily service (Silver Star, Silver Meteor, and Palmetto). Note that AMTRAK now allows unloaded firearms in checked baggage: consult AMTRAK for its rules.

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Class Description

This Range Safety Officer training class meets NRA requirements and includes:

1. Introductions;
2. The role of the Range Safety Officer and Range Standard Operating Procedures;
3. Range Inspection and Range Rules;
4. Range Safety Briefing;
5. Emergency Procedures;
6. Gun Stoppages and Malfunctions.

We provide every Range Safety Officer student with a student packet containing useful materials such as a Student Study Guide for the Range Safety Officer course. That student packet includes a substantial example of Standard Operating Procedures you can use for your own range. We provide checklists for Range Safety Officers to follow when doing routine inspections of indoor, outdoor, and shotgun ranges at the start of their shifts. There's also a Range Safety Briefing form for RSO use and sample forms an RSO might use to report injuries and emergencies. We also include an example "Release, Waiver Indemnification, Hold Harmless and Assumption of Risk Agreement."

The Range Safety Officer test is an open book examination based on the Student Study Guide. Candidates must receive a grade of 90 percent or better—with that Guide handy during the test. Our primary goal and the goal of this class is to help every RSO candidate succeed.

Our Range Safety Officer training class is taught by Chief Range Safety Officers who also are NRA-appointed Training Counselors with years of experience in organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities.

This Range Safety Officer class goes far beyond the obvious limitationns of home study and self-validation. Our class provides live instruction, interaction, hands-on demonstrations, and practical exercises on a shooting range in accordance with NRA standards and procedures. We provide a certificate of completion and promptly certify the application of every successful Range Safety Officer candidate to the NRA.

Note that the NRA's Range Safety Officer course does not encompass the functions and responsibilities of a Range Officer who conducts NRA competitive shooting events as defined by Rule 11.5 of the NRA Rule Books. This NRA course is designed for persons who may be assigned by a range owner, operator, or manager to oversee range safety. The course therefore should be useful to all responsible adults who want to encourage safe shooting.

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The requirements are clear and simple. Remember that safety is our foremost concern. Students must:

• Be 21 years old or older to apply for certification;
• Attend the entire class;
• Participate in discussions and practical exercises;
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to organize, conduct, and supervise safe shooting activities and range operations;
• Achieve an examination score of 90% or higher on the open book exam;
• Submit an application and fee to the NRA through Paladin Services, LLC.

We help successful students in our RSO class complete the NRA application and we lead them through the entire process. Then we submit the application and fee to the NRA for the student.

When the NRA issues your Range Safety Officer credentials you may proudly wear the RSO emblem.

This NRA Range Safety Officer training class is open to both women and men, 21 years old or older. We expect potential students to have a reasonable degree of experience with firearms but a concealed weapons permit is not necessary.

NRA membership is not required but we give current NRA members a substantial discount on the class fee. When we prequalify you for the class we'll be happy to enroll or renew you in the NRA so you get the NRA members' discount on your class fee.