We receive many questions on how to get started in competition. The links below will answer most questions, but if you have other questions, please call us at 1-877-672-6282 or email [email protected].
Where can I find the National Record Reporting Forms?
NRA National Record Reporting Forms are now online. Use the fill-in form and the checklist.
What is the NRA Club Champion Challenge?
NRA Competitive Shooting is proud to offer a new recreational shooting event for clubs, businesses, and civic organizations! Our goal is to create an event that anyone can shoot, beginner to expert. These events are meant to be fun, and will encourage your club members to try a variety of disciplines and courses of fire. Learn more with this informative online guide.
Open and Junior Rifle Sectionals: Where do I download forms?
Tournament and League sponsors may now download, in PDF format, applications, fee reporting forms, and NRA Award Coupons Order Forms for NRA sanctioned tournaments and leagues. To simplify the process, applications are listed separately for Pistol, Rifle, High Power Rifle, Black Powder Target Rifle, Silhouette, and Leagues. NRA National Record Reporting Forms are also available to be used for Registered Tournaments only.
Application
Approved
Registered
Pistol - Conventional, Action Pistol, & International Style
NRA Special Tournament - Special Tournaments are those which would be difficult or impossible to sanction under normal NRA Sanctioning Rules and regulations.
Competitors in NRA Sanctioned Tournaments may now check their current classification online. Enter your NRA ID number where indicated, click the "GO" button, and a list of the shooting programs you are currently active in will be shown with your current classification and effective date.
What is the difference between an Approved or Registered Tournament?
The General Regulations, referred to below, are not the same for all NRA shooting disciplines. You should read the "Appendix" in each rule book for the General Regulations for that discipline. NRA ID number is required for classification purposes in all NRA Sanctioned Tournaments. Should a competitor not have an NRA ID number, they will be assigned a special number that allows their scores to be entered into the computer for classification.
Approved
Registered
Rule
Scores used for classification
Yes
Yes
19.4
Scores used for National Records
No
Yes
17.5
NRA registration fee per competitor (remitted after the tournament is fired). This is explained in sponsor's packet
Yes
Yes
Gen'l Reg. A7, B7
Competitors must be NRA members
No
No
1.6(f)
Minimum number of shots required
No
Yes
Gen'l Reg. A5, B5
NRA classification or category system must be used
Optional
Yes
Gen'l Reg. A4, B4
Fixed award schedule
No
Yes
Gen'l Reg. A6, B6
Tournament officials competing
Only Supervisor cannot compete
See Sec 11 in appropriate rule book.
11 & Gen'l Reg A8, B8
Official Referee assigned by NRA
No, Sponsor selects Supervisor
Yes, with the exception that a 3-member jury will be assigned by the Tournament Sponsor for tournaments below the State Championship level.
11.2.1
Sponsor required to furnish each competitor with Official Bulletin
No
Yes
Gen'l Reg. B12
Program prepared and distributed by Sponsor
Yes
Yes
21 & Gen'l Reg. A2, B2
* For High Power Rifle Tournaments - Only the Match Director, Chief Statistical Officer and Official Referee may not compete.
How can I apply for a competition waiver?
In accordance with Rule 13, competitors with physical disabilities, who are unable to achieve the required shooting positions or use special adaptive equipment, are required to apply for a medical waiver. Click here to see the NRA's Adaptive Shooting Positions.
The medical waiver application is fairly simple and consists of two forms. The first form is a Competitor Application that should be filled out by the shooter. The second form is a Medical Form that must be completed by the physician. Each applicant must submit the completed forms along with pictures and other relevant information.
Once received, the applications are reviewed by the NRA Protest Committee. After approving the application, the competitor will receive a card authorizing them to use the adapted position or equipment and must present that card to the Match Director prior to the start of the competition.
Rule 19.9 states that all classifications, except Master, shall become obsolete if the competitor does not fire in NRA sanctioned competition at least once during 3 successive calendar years (5 years for Masters). Files are purged annually. Most of the email we receive requires us to reply asking for a mailing address and, in most cases, a phone number. This information must be included in your request so the information can be sent in a timely manner.
NRA Information Booklets and Guides
NRA Tournament Operation Guide Information regarding tournament planning, range operations, statistics, awards, and much more to help you run an efficient competitive shooting event.
NRA League Handbook How to start an NRA competitive shooting league. Gives details on scheduling, awards, etc. A must-read for those just starting a league.
NRA Collegiate Shooting Guide Recommended reading for those competitive rifle and pistol shooters wishing to start a marksmanship program in their school or college/university. Lists contacts for schools currently running a shooting program.
The Competitive Shooting Division of the NRA offers a wide range of activities in all types of shooting, sanctions over 11,000 shooting tournaments and sponsors over 50 national championships each year.