All new instructor applicants and instructors seeking recertification must meet the requirements of being at least 18 years old and passing a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) background check. All applicants for any of the DNR safety programs must also complete a volunteer instructor application, BCA POR form, a volunteer agreement and attend a volunteer instructor training course. There is no fee to attend. During the instructor training, applicants will learn about policy and procedures, teaching concepts, use of training aids and youth classroom training techniques.
Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Attend an Instructor Clinic
- Pass a BCA background application check
- Be approved from their local Conservation Officer
- Valid Driver’s License
- DNR Firearms Safety Certification required (firearms safety instructors)
- ATV safety certification required
- Snowmobile safety certification required
Contact your regional training officer to register for the class.
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- ATV safety instructor required certificate process
Volunteer Youth ATV Safety instructors train more than 5,000 youth statewide every year. They help to teach responsible ATV operation by covering safety, laws, and environmental concerns, along with hands-on training. Note: ATV safety certification is a prerequisite.
To register for an ATV volunteer safety instructor training course, check the current safety instructor course calendar for dates and locations.
Regional Training Officers (RTO) conduct the instructor training throughout Minnesota. If no specific instructor training course is listed in your area, contact your local RTO to inquire about organizing Volunteer Instructor training near you. RTO Map
You may also sign up for the instructor email list to be notified of instructor training courses as they become scheduled.
- Bowhunter Field Day instructor process
Instructors must complete the online BowHunter Ed course sponsored by Huntercourse.com. To go directly to the online course, click on the link: https://www.huntercourse.com/usa/minnesota/bowhunter/
Next, register for a Certified Volunteer Safety Instructor training course. Check the current safety instructor course calendar for dates and locations.
Regional Training Officers (RTO) conduct the instructor training throughout Minnesota. If no specific instructor training course is listed in your area, contact your local RTO to inquire about organizing Volunteer Instructor training near you. RTO Map
You may also sign up for the instructor email list to be notified of instructor training courses as they become scheduled.
- Firearms safety instructor process
The DNR has over 4,000 volunteer firearms safety instructors who train approximately 23,000 students annually. Consider becoming a Certified Volunteer Hunter Education Youth Firearms Safety Instructor. Pass on your passion for hunting and shooting sports by teaching ethics and safe firearms handling to future hunters.
Successful applicants will be trained to use methods, equipment and procedures for instructing youth and adults in hunter education firearms safety. Become certified and join a team in your community. Consider inviting friends to attend the training with you.
Steps to get started - complete the following:
- Register to attend an Instructor Clinic. Check the current instructor course calendar for dates, locations and contact person. Regional Training Officers (RTOs) conduct instructor training throughout Minnesota. If no specific instructor clinic is listed in your area, contact your local RTO to inquire about organizing Volunteer Instructor Training near you or to answer any questions you might have. Map of RTOs
- You may also sign up for the instructor email list to be notified of instructor training courses as they become scheduled.
- Snowmobile safety instructor required certificate process
Volunteer Youth Snowmobile Safety instructors train over 7,000 youth statewide every year. They help teach responsible, safe snowmobile operation.
Register for a Certified Volunteer Safety Instructor training course. Check the current safety instructor course calendar for dates and locations.
Regional Training Officers (RTO) conduct the instructor training throughout Minnesota. If no specific instructor training course is listed in your area, contact your local RTO to inquire about organizing Volunteer Instructor training near you. RTO Map
You may also sign up for the instructor email list to be notified of instructor training courses as they become scheduled.
- Wildlife species instructor (for Wild Turkey and Black Bear) process
As a volunteer Wildlife Instructor for black bear or wild turkey you can use your knowledge and experience to teach individuals, who are interested in hunting a specific species, about the biology and behavior of these animals.
Register for a Certified Volunteer Safety Instructor training course. Check the current safety instructor course calendar for dates and locations.
Regional Training Officers (RTO) conduct the instructor training throughout Minnesota. If no specific instructor training course is listed in your area, contact your local RTO to inquire about organizing Volunteer Instructor training near you. RTO Map
You may also sign up for the instructor email list to be notified of instructor training courses as they become scheduled.
- Additional information
Job description:
- Instructors must assist with a class once every two years to maintain their active certification
- Classes are often on nights and weekends
- Instructors who are unable to assist once every two years with a class must go through the application process again and attend an Instructor Clinic
- Certified instructors will be furnished an instructors’ Procedures Manual outlining the proper procedures to be followed in teaching and conducting the hunter education course and will be required to follow those procedures
Evaluation:
- Volunteer instructors will report to their local Regional Training Officer
- Volunteer instructors may receive periodic evaluations of their course activities. This can be done through a post-course student survey or an on-site visit during a safety class.
- These evaluations encompass subjects taught, length of course, student learning opportunities, program procedures, instructor presentation methods, and team-teaching coordination.
Suggested Qualifications:
- Knowledge of firearms and hunting opportunities and practices (firearms safety instructors)
- Ability to speak and/or teach in front of large and small groups of students
- Ability to complete and turn in paperwork in a timely manner
- Familiar with Word or PDF
- A location suitable for both the classroom and field day portions of your class.
- Instructors must assist with a class once every two years to maintain their active certification
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. I'm already a certified instructor in one of the following: Licensed Minnesota teacher, Law Enforcement Instructor, NRA Firearms instructor , Military Firearms Instructor, Certified Carry Conceal instructor, can I skip completing paperwork and Online safety training course?
A. No, you must take the appropriate safety training online course as per the safety course you want to teach in the future. Understanding the course content and material is essential to our safety programs. Also, application paperwork is required per MN Statute 84.027 (17). The Minnesota Child Protection Background Check Act M.S. 299C.60 to 299C.64 was enacted into law in 1992. Background checks are processed through Bureau of Criminal Apprehension electronics files.
Q. Can I sign up to be a Firearms Safety Instructor training just to teach as a traditional classroom instructor?
A. Yes, During the Instructing training course you will receive all the necessary reference material to teach Classroom and the All Day Range & Field Day course.
Q. I have been an "Inactive safety instructor" for the last few years, I need to be recertified as a safety Instructor. What should I do?
A. Go to the "Tab" for the safety training program you want to be certified in and follow the process. Treat it as you are a new safety instructor.
Q. How long is my Safety Instructor certification valid?
A. Instructor certification remains "current" and "active" on a continuous basis only if you are involved with teaching a safety class and your name is indicated on Roster A. Your name and instructor number must be shown on a Roster A at least once every two years.
Other questions?
Please contact the Regional Training Officer in your area - Map of RTOs