Want to teach Ohio CCW classes?
Get USCCA Certified to Teach Concealed Carry
Two-day USCCA instructor certification in Canal Winchester, Ohio, near Columbus. Learn to teach the Ohio CCW class and USCCA courses.
2-Day Class
Day 1: 8 am to about 8 pm. Day 2: 8 am to about 5 pm.
$597 Total
Includes the $250 USCCA toolkit and eLearning plus the $347 class fee. No other fees.
Canal Winchester, OH
About 20 minutes from downtown Columbus. Private covered range.
USCCA Certified
Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals Instructor.
USCCA Instructor Certification in Central Ohio
Get Certified to Teach Concealed Carry Classes
Armed2Defend offers the USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals Instructor certification in Canal Winchester, Ohio. This is the entry-level USCCA instructor course. It is the certification you can use to teach the Ohio concealed carry (CHL/CCW) class. Once you are certified, you can add more USCCA instructor certifications.
The class is taught by Kevin Sadeski, a USCCA Instructor and Training Counselor. Kevin has trained over 25,000 people for their Ohio CCW license and over 700 instructors. Many of them are teaching CCW classes today.
Class Dates
Upcoming Instructor Classes
Click a date to register. Registration takes you to the USCCA website. The $597 fee is paid when you register, and it unlocks the required eLearning.
Don’t see a date that works? Contact me and I’ll let you know when the next class is scheduled. Classes need at least 4 people and are capped at 12.
Read this before you register
Download the Training Packet
The training packet has everything you need to get ready for the instructor class. Please read it before you sign up so you know what is expected.
- The full two-day class agenda
- Step-by-step instructions to find your eLearning
- The shooting qualification and target
- What to bring checklist
- The Learning Styles Assessment (print it and bring it to class)
Who This Class Is For
If you love guns and enjoy helping people learn to shoot safely, this class is for you. Most of our candidates have friends asking if they can teach them concealed carry. This certification lets you say yes.
- You want to teach the Ohio CCW class
- You want to start or grow a firearms training business
- You already help friends and family at the range
- You want real instructor training that makes you better at teaching
You do not need a concealed carry license to become an instructor.
What You Get as a USCCA Instructor
- Modern course materials, including a PowerPoint with embedded videos and high-quality photos
- An instructor toolkit with student books, a USCCA instructor shirt and hat, and more
- An exclusive Ohio Concealed Carry Legal PowerPoint
- Personal support from USCCA staff trainers
- Discounts on guns and gear
- Get paid to teach something you love
- Possible tax write-offs for business guns, gear and training (ask your tax pro)
Ohio CCW note: Your county sheriff decides which instructor credentials they accept. I don’t know of any Ohio sheriff that doesn’t honor the USCCA instructor certification, but I suggest checking with your county.
How to Get Certified
Your 3-Step Path to Teaching CCW Classes
Step 1
Before the Class
The instructor class takes some planning. Come prepared.
- Register for a date and pay the $597 fee
- Finish the USCCA eLearning at least 48 hours before class. It is self-paced and takes about 6 to 8 hours.
- Practice the shooting qualification until you can pass it every time
- Print and complete the Learning Styles Assessment from the training packet
Finding your eLearning: log in to your USCCA portal, click the USCCA logo, then click eLearning Purchases. If you can’t find it, contact the USCCA.
Step 2
At the Class
Two days of lessons, group activities and role-playing. You’ll practice teaching and running a safe range.
- Give short practice presentations
- Team-teach 20-minute lessons
- Pass an open book test
- Pass the live-fire shooting qualification
Your attitude matters. Candidates need to show they will represent the USCCA well. Come with an open mind and you’ll do great.
Step 3
After the Class
I submit your passing results to the USCCA. Your credentials become active quickly.
- Get access to the Instructor section of your USCCA portal
- Download the presentation materials
- Post your own classes
- Your instructor toolkit arrives in about 2 weeks
I’m here for questions after the class too.
Agenda
Two-Day Class Agenda
Times are a guide. The actual end time depends on the class. Breaks are built in.
Day 1: Classroom
| 7:45 am | Check-in |
| 8:00 am | Introduction to the USCCA Instructor Program |
| 9:00 am | Instructor benefits, curricula and FAQs |
| 10:30 am | Top instructor mistakes |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm | Teaching best practices, with a practice presentation |
| 3:30 pm | Practice presentations (3 to 4 minutes): Developing a Personal Protection Plan, Self-Defense Basics, Defensive Shooting Fundamentals |
| 8:00 pm | Approximate end of day |
Day 2: Classroom and Range
| 8:00 am | Team-teaching 20-minute presentations: The Legal Use of Force, Violent Encounters and the Aftermath |
| 10:00 am | Planning an instructor course |
| 10:30 am | Teaching dry-fire and dry-fire best practices |
| 11:30 am | Running a safe range (part 1) |
| 1:30 pm | Written test (open book) |
| 2:30 pm | Range management practice (virtual) |
| 3:30 pm | Range management (live fire) and shooting qualification |
| 5:00 pm | Wrap-up and re-shoots |
Shooting Qualification
USCCA Instructor Shooting Qualification
The qualification is not timed. You shoot 50 rounds at the 8-inch center circle of the official USCCA target. You need 40 hits out of 50 (80%) to pass. You get two attempts.
You also have to follow the Universal Safety Rules and the instructor’s commands the whole time. A safety violation is a fail.
| Stage 1 | 4 yards (12 feet) | 15 rounds |
| Stage 2 | 7 yards (21 feet) | 15 rounds |
| Stage 3 | 10 yards (30 feet) | 10 rounds |
| Stage 4 | 15 yards (45 feet) | 10 rounds |
| Pass | 40 of 50 hits in the 8-inch circle |
This is an instructor-level class, so practice before you come. If you can’t pass it consistently on your own, don’t expect to pass it during class. Practice on the official target since we only use that one.
Universal Safety Rules
- Treat all guns as though they are always loaded, and always perform a clearance check every time you pick one up.
- Never point your gun at anything that you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are on target and have made the decision to shoot.
- Always be sure of your target and beyond.
Checklist
What to Bring
Gun and Gear
- A semi-auto pistol or revolver in .380 ACP or larger. No AR-style pistols or rifle calibers.
- 100 to 150 rounds of practice ammo. Each qualification attempt is 50 rounds and you get two. Extra is good in case you drop a few.
- One magazine is enough for the qualification
- No holster needed. This class does not teach drawing from a holster.
- Eye and ear protection. Glasses need side shields. I have loaners if you need them.
Bring your gun unloaded, with magazines unloaded, in a closed bag, box or case. Leave it locked in your car until I tell you to bring it out.
For the Classroom
- Your completed Learning Styles Assessment from the training packet
- Pens, paper, highlighters and sticky notes. I provide a binder.
- Instructor clothes. Dress neat and professional. The range is covered but outdoors, so dress for the weather.
- Food and drinks for two long days. Pack your meals, or bring cash or a way to pay to order from a local Canal Winchester restaurant. I can coordinate a pickup.
There isn’t time to leave class to get food, so plan ahead.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a USCCA certified instructor in Ohio?
Register for a USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals Instructor class with a USCCA Training Counselor like Armed2Defend. Finish the USCCA eLearning before class. Then pass the 2-day instructor class, the open book test and the shooting qualification. After that, your results are submitted to the USCCA and your credentials become active.
How much does USCCA instructor certification cost?
$597 total. That covers the $250 USCCA instructor toolkit and eLearning plus the $347 class fee. The USCCA sets these fees, so they can’t be discounted. You pay the full amount when you register.
Do I need a concealed carry license to become an instructor?
No. You don’t need a CCW license to become a USCCA instructor. If you want to take the Ohio CCW class, here is the link.
Can I teach the Ohio CCW class with the USCCA certification?
Yes. This is the USCCA instructor course used to teach the Ohio concealed carry class. Your county sheriff decides which credentials they accept. I don’t know of any Ohio sheriff that doesn’t honor the USCCA certification, but I suggest checking with your county. Many instructors also hold the NRA Pistol Instructor certification since all Ohio sheriffs recognize it.
How long does the training take?
Plan on about 6 to 8 hours of self-paced eLearning, finished at least 48 hours before class. The class itself is 2 days. Day 1 goes from 8 am to about 8 pm. Day 2 goes from 8 am to about 5 pm.
What is the USCCA instructor shooting qualification?
You shoot 50 rounds at the 8-inch circle on the official USCCA target from 4, 7, 10 and 15 yards. It is not timed. You need 40 out of 50 to pass, and you get two attempts. You also have to follow the safety rules the whole time. The full details are in the training packet.
What happens if I don't pass?
Failing any part of the course means retaking the whole course. Retakes are $100 during one of my scheduled classes. If a candidate isn’t a good fit to represent the USCCA, a retake may not be offered.
Where is the class held?
Classes are held in Canal Winchester, Ohio, about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Columbus. I send the exact address in your confirmation email. Larger classes meet at the Wagnalls Memorial Library in Lithopolis, with our private covered range a few minutes away.
How many people are in a class?
A class needs at least 4 instructor candidates. Each USCCA Training Counselor can train up to 12.
Is food provided?
No. Please pack your meals and snacks, or bring cash or a way to pay to order from a local Canal Winchester restaurant. I can coordinate a pickup. We don’t have time to leave class for food.
What gun and how much ammo should I bring?
A semi-auto pistol or revolver in .380 ACP or larger. No AR-style pistols or rifle calibers. Bring 100 to 150 rounds. Each qualification attempt is 50 rounds, and extra is good in case you drop a few.
When do I get my instructor credentials?
After class I submit your passing results to the USCCA. Your credentials become active quickly, and you’ll get access to the Instructor section of your USCCA portal. Your instructor toolkit usually arrives in about 2 weeks.
Your training matters
We're Kevin and Alisha
We’re ordinary people who take our safety seriously. You’ll find our approach to be more practical than tactical. If you were hoping for a class that feels like boot camp, this isn’t it.
The goal isn’t just to get certified. We want you to be the best instructor you can be, and we’re here to help after the class too.