Range officer accreditation: ask your club

We didn't find a single national range officer qualification that covers every range. National bodies and state associations run their own schemes, and some hand much of the work to clubs. So the first step is simple: ask your club. It can tell you which scheme applies to the range and discipline you shoot, and whether it needs more range officers.

Who runs the schemes

Range officer training is tied to the discipline and the association behind the range. Examples:

• Pistol. Target Pistol Australia runs a pathway that starts at range officer level 1 in your chosen discipline, then level 2, and on to judging.

• Fullbore rifle. The National Rifle Association of Australia accredits club range officers through its own course and handbook.

• SSAA ranges. SSAA state bodies run range officer courses. SSAA South Australia's 2018 manual, the latest version we found, delegates the selection, training and assessment of applicants to clubs.

• IPSC action shooting. An IPSC NSW page, last updated in 2018, describes a two-day range officer seminar followed by supervised work at a match. Check the current process with IPSC Australia or your club.

• Clay target. Clay target shooting uses referees. To become a trap or skeet referee, the Australian Clay Target Association asks people to contact their state secretary, who can put them in touch with a referee examiner.

Accreditation is tied to the scheme and often to a discipline. Pistol accreditation, for example, starts in a chosen discipline. Check that yours covers a range and discipline before you volunteer to run it.

What the schemes have in common

Although the details differ, many of the schemes we checked use the same building blocks. Not every scheme has every step: ACTA's referee path, for example, is a set of questions checked by an examiner.

1. 1

   Step 1: Experience and endorsement

   You're an experienced member, and your club or branch backs your application. The NRAA asks for at least two years of adult experience in the discipline, and SSAA Victoria requires club or branch endorsement.

2. 2

   Step 2: Theory

   You study the rules and range procedures, often through an online course or a manual, and answer questions on them.

3. 3

   Step 3: Practical assessment

   You show you can run a firing line, often in a practical exam with safety scenarios or under the eye of an accredited range officer.

4. 4

   Step 4: Supervised practice

   You run shoots under supervision until experienced range officers sign you off. SSAA Victoria and SSAA Newcastle both describe this step.

5. 5

   Step 5: Keeping current

   Many accreditations need renewing. ACTA referees, for example, are accredited for five years. Ask how long yours lasts and what refresher training is needed.

What to ask your club

• Which body accredits range officers for this range and discipline?

• What experience does the club look for before endorsing someone?

• Is there a course coming up, and how do I enrol?

• Can I start by assisting an experienced range officer?

• How long does accreditation last, and how is it renewed?

If you want to understand the job first, read The range officer's role and Running a detail.