Washington State
Criminal Justice Training Commission

Firearms Handgun Instructor Level 1, Course #2011

Course Description:

The 80-hour Level I Firearms Instructor Course is directed toward law enforcement personnel who have a desire to become firearms instructors. It is intended to develop the necessary instructor competencies required to provide safe and effective firearms training. During this course participants will focus exclusively and intensely on the handgun while they work to develop instructor competencies. This course will also be recognized as a Handgun Instructor Course. As an instructor course it is expected that participants will have above average handgun manipulation and marksmanship ability. Participants should expect to invest time outside of class preparing lesson plans, presentations and range drills.

REQUIRED equipment for EACH student

• Duty handgun and Patrol duty belt with a minimum of 3 magazines. All applicants should consider bringing a duplicate spare duty pistol.
• Dummy training pistol to fit your duty holster (red or blue gun)
• Double-Action revolver, any caliber, w/ 2 speed-loaders & belt holster
• Two duty flashlights, or one duty flashlight and one backup
• Eye protection (including clear glasses for night firing)
• Hearing protection – electronic headphones and earplugs
• Review and be ready to discuss your agency’s firearms policies (will be comparing agencies policy to current law)
• Weapon cleaning equipment
• Body armor
• Baseball hat
• Laptop
• USB flash drive

REQUIRED ammunition:

• 1500 rounds primary handgun
• 100 rounds revolver
• 100 rounds frangible
• A minimum of 20 dummy rounds for your duty pistol

Pre-Course Requirements:

• A passing score, of 90%, on the entrance shooting test.  Pre-qual and manipulation skill form.
  • A shooting test will be administered by a qualified Firearms Instructor of your choice who has successfully completed Level One Handgun Instructors within three years or a Level One Handgun Instructor who has attended an update if their certification is older than three years.

• The firearm program will be utilitizing the program HP Flow to help in the distribution of course documents.  The links will be sent out the week prior to class.  Students are required to download or print the manual and handouts and bring them to class.

• Students must read and be prepared to identify components as the class progresses:
  • Sport Skill Instructions for Coaches
    • Author Craig A. Wrisberg
    • ISBN: 13:978073603987

• Students are required to submit the following information with your application (either on-line or on the paper application):
  • Make of duty weapon
  • Model of duty weapon
  • Caliber of duty weapon

Cost: $750 Applicants agency provides ammunition.

Recertification: Level One Instructor Recertification Course #2015, is 16 hours in length and should be attended within 3 years of last certification.

Cancellation/No Show:

• Deadline: 7 Days prior to the first day of class. Send cancellations to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• FEE: $750 for “No Shows”, late cancellations, and failure to pass the entrance qualification.

***Is this class full or not available???? Please complete the Course Interest Survey. Please Note: This is not a waiting list.  You will not be contacted by WSCJTC unless there is enough interest to generate a class being scheduled.  At that time we will contact everyone that has shown interest so that applications can be submitted.

Revised April 2016