ADTA offers four levels of handgun shooting certifications
The first two levels help new shooters advance their shooting skills by getting signed off on specific skills, much like earning scouting merit badges. The top two levels qualify our members to serve as officials at ADTA Workshop and Live-Fire events.
Safe Shooter Certification – Able to demonstrate all New Shooter 101 skills on a static course of fire.
Defensive Shooter Certification – Able to demonstrate practical self-defense skills on a dynamic course of fire.
Range Safety Officer Certification – Attends and passes ADTA RSO training course and serves an apprenticeship.
Instructor Certification – Attends and passes ADTA instructor training course and serves an apprenticeship.
ADTA Certifications earn you stars on your membership badge
Safe Shooter Certification
Demonstrate these skills and earn your FIRST STAR on your membership badge as a Safe Shooter:
1. Recite 4 basic gun safety rules from memory
2. Correctly name the parts of pistol & revolver
3. Unload pistol & revolver
4. Load pistol & revolver
5. Dealing with unsafe gun handling
6. 12-step dry-fire exercise
7. 12-step live-fire exercise
8. Present from holster on the firing line
9. Fire 20 shots at 15’ w/ 10 shots in a 6” circle
10. Gun cleaning with pistol & revolver
11. Shows 100% safe gun handling at all times
12. Understands and follows range commands
Defensive Shooter Certification
Demonstrate these skills and earn your SECOND STAR on your membership badge as a Defensive Shooter:
1. Getting off the X before shooting
2. Shoot from cover without revealing body
3. Shoot on the move without tripping
4. Shoot in low light w/ Harries & FBI methods
5. Clear failure to fire by Tap-Rack method
6. Draw & fire from holster (open carry)
7. Draw & fire from holster (with cover garment)
8. Tactical & emergency reloads while shooting
9. Clear all types of malfunctions while shooting
10. Fire 20 shots at 30' w/ 10 in a 6" circle
11. Shows 100% safe gun handling at all times
12. Understands and follows range commands
Range Safety Officer & Instructor Certifications
By invitation from ADTA leadership.
Qualify by attending and passing an ADTA training course and serving an apprenticeship.
