NRA Basic CCW Course

Carrying is a responsibility. Train for it like one.

A license to carry gives you permission. It doesn’t make you prepared. The NRA Basic CCW course closes that gap by teaching the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed to carry a concealed pistol for personal defense. At Yasuke Arms, it is taught start to finish by an NRA Certified CCW Instructor. It is offered as a standalone course and is also the NRA component of our DP-1 Defensive Pistol course.

 

Who This Is For

Licensed carriers who want to go beyond the minimum. NRA designed this course for everyone, regardless of previous shooting experience or NRA affiliation. Per Yasuke Arms policy, students must hold an active License to Carry issued by their state of residence; non-resident licenses are not accepted. Not licensed yet? Start with our NRA Basic Pistol / Texas LTC course.

Minimum age: 18.

 

Questions Before You Enroll?

Have a question about the NRA CCW Pistol, course requirements, or what happens next? Email us—we’re happy to help.

Email Us Your Questions: training@yasukearms.com

 

What You Will Learn

The NRA CCW curriculum pairs ten classroom lessons with live-fire range work:

• Firearm safety as it applies to carrying a concealed pistol

• Pistol nomenclature and selecting a pistol for self-defense

• Ammunition knowledge and defensive ammunition selection

• Basic defensive pistol skills: defensive accuracy, shooting positions, cover versus concealment

• Drawing from concealment and re-holstering safely

• Loading, reloading, and stoppage remediation

• Mindset: responding to an attack and managing the aftermath

• Carry modes and pistol concealment

• Firearm cleaning and maintenance

• Sport shooting and continued training opportunities

Live Fire and Qualification

Classroom instruction is only half of it. On the range, under direct instructor supervision, you’ll practice every skill: drawing from concealment, reloading, clearing stoppages, and delivering defensive accuracy at realistic distances. The course ends with the NRA CCW shooting qualification, a 50-round course of fire scored out of 100 points, with 80% required to pass.

 

Exam and Qualification Attempts

Per Yasuke Arms policy, students have one attempt at the NRA CCW written exam and two attempts at the NRA CCW shooting qualification. A student who does not pass the qualification within two attempts must retake the entire course.

What You Receive

• NRA CCW course completion certificate

• NRA course materials

 

Course Format

Two days, 8 hours each (16 hours total), matching NRA’s lesson time estimates. Instructor-led only, in the classroom and on the live-fire range. Offered as a standalone course or as part of DP-1.

 

What to Bring

• Active resident License to Carry and valid government-issued photo ID (verified at check-in)

• A reliable defensive handgun in good working condition. Yasuke Arms does not provide loaner pistols. The handgun must remain UNLOADED in a gun case or bag until directed by the instructor.

• A quality concealed-carry holster worn on a sturdy belt

• A cover garment (jacket, untucked shirt, or vest)

• At least three magazines or speed-loaders; ALL MAGAZINES must be UNLOADED on arrival

• A magazine carrier that holds at least two magazines

• At least 300 rounds of factory-new ammunition in its original box: enough for range drills, malfunction training, and two 50-round qualification attempts. No handloads or reloads.

• At least 5 dummy rounds or snap caps in your caliber for classroom handling and malfunction drills. Fluorescent-tipped (brightly colored) dummy rounds are strongly recommended; they are easy to tell apart from live ammunition and easy to find and retrieve after each drill.

• Eye and ear protection

• Closed-toe shoes, a brimmed hat, and a closed-collar shirt

• NO SIG P320s ALLOWED. NO EXCEPTIONS.

• NO LIVE AMMUNITION ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM. Only dummy rounds or snap caps may be used in the classroom.

 

Location and Scheduling

Available dates, times, and range location: TBA

Where This Course Leads

Standalone students receive the NRA CCW completion certificate. Students who take the course within DP-1 receive three certificates: the Yasuke Arms DP-1 certificate, the USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals certificate, and the NRA CCW completion certificate. DP-1 graduates qualify to advance to DP-2: Judicious Use of Force and Legal Aftermath (coming soon).