Process for becoming an instructor?

[jamisjockey]

Just what the title says.
I am self employed with the wife, generally with copious amounts of free time. I enjoy teaching shooting informally, and have been giving serious thought to becoming a CHL instructor. I'd like to broaden my abilities and knoweldge base by taking other classes, too, and maybe becoming certified to teach other aspects of self defense and firarms.
Would like to hear some thoughts on the whole process in general.

[Bart]

Apply for the instructor class. Pass the class.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... stcert.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After that it's the same as any other business.

[phrogg]

Actually, I'm thinking I'll go through the Instructor stuff as well. But one question I haven't quite found an answer for yet is what the fee would be if you already have your CHL. It looks like the fee structure is setup to pay your CHL fee and then the instructor fee. Not sure if there is any discount to that if your CHL is still good for a few more years. I cannot seem to find that on the DPS site anywhere.

[Bart]

Totally independent and unrelated as far as I know. You can be an instructor without having a CHL.

[sjfcontrol]

Fee for the instructor's class is $100 on odd years (good for two years), or $50 on even years (good for 1 year).
It has nothing to do with fees for your personal CHL.

[phrogg]

Ah, I see now. So they are separate items. So its possible to instruct and not be licensed to carry. That's gov't for ya .

Anyway, how does the renewal stuff work. It looks like all the licenses expire Dec 31, 2011. So if you do the summer class in 2011 (next one with an open slot), you immediately have to get started on getting in a renewal class?

[sjfcontrol]

Ah, I see now. So they are separate items. So its possible to instruct and not be licensed to carry. That's gov't for ya .

Anyway, how does the renewal stuff work. It looks like all the licenses expire Dec 31, 2011. So if you do the summer class in 2011 (next one with an open slot), you immediately have to get started on getting in a renewal class?

No. My license, received THIS summer, expires 12/31/2011. So I must renew next summer, for a 2-year license. It will expire 12/31/2013

[phrogg]

According to the site, they all expire at the same time. So even if I get it next summer it still expires at end of year. That's also why the fees go from $100-$50 depending on whether you got it on an odd or even year.

[sjfcontrol]

They all expire at the end of the odd numbered years.

[jamisjockey]

Ah, I see now. So they are separate items. So its possible to instruct and not be licensed to carry. That's gov't for ya .

Anyway, how does the renewal stuff work. It looks like all the licenses expire Dec 31, 2011. So if you do the summer class in 2011 (next one with an open slot), you immediately have to get started on getting in a renewal class?

Where did you see that info?

[10Shooter]

I've been thinking for a while now about going through the Instructor stuff also.
Can anyone recommend class or instructor in Austin/CedarPark area?

[sjfcontrol]

Look, it isn't that difficult.

Teaching Certificates are good for one or two years (actually, 1.5 or 2.5 years, since they're acquired in July, and expire in December) depending on the year that the certificate is received.

If you receive the certificate in the summer of an even numbered year (such as 2010, like I did) it is good for 1.5 years and expires in December of 2011. And therefore I will need to take the instructor renewal class in the summer of 2011 if I want to continue teaching. THAT renewal certificate will expire in December of 2013 (2.5 years from issuance) and I will need to take the renewal class AGAIN in the summer of 2013.

If you receive the certificate in the summer of an ODD numbered year (such as 2009, or 2011), then it expires 2.5 years later, in December of 2011 or 2013 respectively. After a person does his first ODD YEAR class, each renewal will be in the following ODD year.

This gets EVERYBODY synchronized to renew in the ODD YEARS after they possibly start the process in the even years. There are NO RENEWAL CLASSES in EVEN years, as no certificates expire in even years.

There are NO certificate good for 6-months only. There is an overlap of 6 months when you renew between when you get your new certificate, and when the old one expires.

[sjfcontrol]

I've been thinking for a while now about going through the Instructor stuff also.
Can anyone recommend class or instructor in Austin/CedarPark area?

All instructor classes are done BY DPS in Austin. They will pick the class for you when you apply.

[jamisjockey]

Well, maybe I need to lay off the booze, but for some odd reason I went ahead and submitted my online application. Another set of prints next week, and a few pieces of paper to mail in.
In the mean time, I'm going to book up some classes. NRA RO, basic pistol, instructor, and anything else I can squeeze into my schedule.
Worst case, I put in some time and effort and become more knoweldgable and experienced.

[phrogg]

If you receive the certificate in the summer of an even numbered year (such as 2010, like I did) it is good for 1.5 years and expires in December of 2011. And therefore I will need to take the instructor renewal class in the summer of 2011 if I want to continue teaching. THAT renewal certificate will expire in December of 2013 (2.5 years from issuance) and I will need to take the renewal class AGAIN in the summer of 2013.

If you receive the certificate in the summer of an ODD numbered year (such as 2009, or 2011), then it expires 2.5 years later, in December of 2011 or 2013 respectively. After a person does his first ODD YEAR class, each renewal will be in the following ODD year.

Ok, now that makes sense! It just didn't make sense for me that you would acquire your license and then immediately need to renew it.

However, the confusion comes from the standard fees info on the DPS website that says:

The fee to become certified as an instructor is $100.00 for even years (a two year certificate) and $50.00 for odd years (a one year certificate).

This implies a different answer than what you just gave. It states that I get a 1 year certificate if I take the class in an Odd year and a 2 year one if I take the class in an even year. I believe that what you stated is correct, but this is the point where I'm confused. It would work to my advantage, I'd get to pay only $50 and get a 2.5 year certificate instead of paying $100 and get a 1.5 year. Either way, I think its time to get the process started.