Service Handgun
Qualification Program
Law Enforcement Explorer Posts and their supporting agencies can benefit greatly by enrolling their Explorers in the NRA Law Enforcement Explorer Qualification Program. This program helps Explorers increase their shooting proficiency, with a handgun, while letting them set their own pace and achieve challenging but attainable scores. Performance is measured against established par scores and any explorer who meets or exceeds those scores is entitled to the corresponding recognition awards for the rating earned.
Used as a development tool for young shooters the NRA Law Enforcement Explorer Qualification Program allows them to continue in the shooting sports and prepare for national and international competitions. The benefit to the law enforcement community is that this program will assist in the development of safe shooting habits and increased proficiency of potential law enforcement officers.
Eligibility for awards is limited to cadets who are active participants of organized Law Enforcement Explorer Posts who meet all requirements of Learning for Life. Explorers who are sworn full-time or part-time police officers are NOT eligible to participate in this program.
NOTE: The awards in this program have been approved by Learning for Life as one of the award categories under The Law Enforcement Explorer Proficiency Program.
- Awards
 Explorers can qualify for awards that indicate the level of skill they have achieved. This program allows for instant recognition with a patch and bars that can be worn on the Explorer's uniform. Qualification certificates suitable for framing are available for purchase from the NRA Program Materials Center. All awards must be ordered by a Law Enforcement Post (not individual Explorers) enrolled with the NRA.
The Distinguished Expert application is available online or by calling the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Coordinator at (703) 267-1505.
Conditions
Explorers are required to complete an 8-hour firearm safety-training course prior to qualifying.
Firing of all qualification scores must be witnessed by the range supervisor or the officer-in-charge of the Law Enforcement Explorer Post. There is no limit to the number of times a shooter may attempt qualification. The scores listed in the course of fire section must be met to qualify for a rating.
Firearms
Only a law enforcement service-type handgun (revolver or semi-auto pistol) authorized for duty carry by officers of the sponsoring law enforcement agency is to be used. Revolvers must be capable of firing the standard .38 Special load. The handgun must be factory manufactured with no internal or external modifications. Grips may be changed or modified for the shooter's hand size. Any handgun with modifications that change the outward appearance from the service-type model is not allowed. Standard metallic fixed or adjustable sights may be used. Scopes, red-dot sights, and laser sights are not allowed.
Target
Standard NRA B-8 target.
Timers
When time restrictions are specified, shooters should have another individual act as timekeeper.
NRA Staff
NRA Staff are available to help Post leaders get started or answer any questions that they may have. Direct calls to NRA Marksmanship Qualification Coordinator at (703) 267-1505.
| NRA Law Enforcement Explorer Service Handgun Qualification Course of Fire |
| The Law Enforcement course of fire is designed to help shooters enter local, state, and national competition. The qualification ratings earned in this program do not apply to an NRA competitions shooting "classification."
Definition of course:
- Slow fire - 5 minutes per 5-shot string
- Timed Fire - 20 seconds per 5-shot string
- Rapid Fire - 10 seconds per 5-shot string
Aggregate:
The aggregate is a 25-yard, 30-shot course of fire that must be fired as a complete unit in the same session in order to qualify for that rating. |
| Rating |
Position |
Shots Per Target |
Yards |
Reqd Slow Fire / Score |
Repeat _ times |
Reqd Timed Fire / Score |
Repeat _ times |
Reqd Rapid Fire / Score |
Repeat _ times |
Pro-Marksman
2 phases |
1. Benchrest |
5 |
5 |
25/50 (50%) |
5 |
| 2. Benchrest |
5 |
7 |
25/50 (50%) |
5 |
Marksman
2 phases |
1. Standing |
5 |
7 |
30/50 (60%) |
5 |
| 2. Standing |
5 |
7 |
|
|
25/50 (50%) |
5 |
Sharpshooter
3 phases |
1. Standing |
5 |
15 |
36/50 (75%) |
5 |
| 1. Standing |
5 |
15 |
|
|
33/50 (65%) |
5 |
| 1. Standing |
5 |
15 |
|
|
|
|
25/50 (50%) |
5 |
Expert
3 phases |
1. Standing |
5 |
20 |
43/50 (85%) |
5 |
| 1. Standing |
5 |
20 |
|
|
37/50 (75%) |
5 |
| 1. Standing |
5 |
20 |
|
|
|
|
33/50 (65%) |
5 |
| Distinguished Expert |
Aggregate score of 100/150 (67%) or better. 5 aggregates are required at 25 yards. Slow fire 2 5-shot strings, Timed fire 2 5-shot strings, Rapid fire 2 5-shot strings. |
NRA Law Enforcement Explorer Price List
Call the NRA Program Materials Center toll free at 1-800-336-7402. Hours: Weekdays 8:30 am-11:00 pm EST; Weekends 10:00 am-6:00 pm EST. All orders are subject to shipping fees and sales tax where applicable. Prices subject to change without notice.
| Patch |
| EQ10755 |
Explorer |
$3.00 |
Certificates |
| EQ10730 |
Pro-Marksman |
$0.40 |
| EQ10735 |
Marksman |
$0.40 |
| EQ10740 |
Sharpshooter |
$0.40 |
| EQ10745 |
Expert |
$0.40 |
| EQ10750 |
Distinguished Expert |
$0.40 |
Bars |
| EQ10705 |
Pro-Marksman |
$1.70 |
| EQ10710 |
Marksman |
$1.70 |
| EQ10715 |
Sharpshooter |
$1.70 |
| EQ10720 |
Expert |
$1.70 |
| EQ10725 |
Distinguished Expert |
$1.70 |
Rockers |
| EQ10470 |
Pro-Marksman |
$0.90 |
| EQ10480 |
Marksman |
$0.90 |
| EQ10500 |
Sharpshooter |
$0.90 |
| EQ10510 |
Expert |
$0.90 |
| EQ09710 |
Distinguished Expert |
$2.00 |
Please mention Offer LEEQ0705 when ordering materials.
If participants are members of the NRA, and have achieved the level of Law Enforcement Explorer Distinguished Expert, NRA Headquarters free of charge will send their Distinguished Expert award to them. The Post leader will need to download and fill out the Distinguished Expert Report Form. Space permitting, the Explorer will be recognized in InSights, NRA's youth member magazine. Leaders can send completed reports, along with a picture of the Explorer, to:
NRA Headquarters
Attn: Marksmanship Qualification Coordinator
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Law Enforcement Explorer Qualification certificates, patches, and uniform bars are only available to enrolled Posts. To enroll a Post, complete the Law Enforcement Explorer application and mail it to:
NRA Headquarters
Attn: Marksmanship Qualification Coordinator
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
Members of your organization are encouraged to become individual members of NRA. NRA members receive monthly issues of one of the following publications: American Rifleman, American Hunter, America's 1st Freedom, Woman's Outlook, or InSights. You may also sign up for membership to Free Hunters, which offers the Free Hunters magazine. Individual members may also compete in NRA registered tournaments. Contact the Competitive Shooting Division at (703) 267-1430 for more information. |
