NJ State 4-H Shooting Sports Instructors and Certification

Instructor Eligibility

New Jersey 4-H programs require the use of National or State 4-H Trained & Certified Instructors to conduct classes/programs in the various shooting sports disciplines (Air Rifle, Rifle, Archery, Black Powder, Hunting & Wildlife, and Shotgun).

No person may be certified as instructor until the following requirements are met:

1. Age:
   • Instructor - 21 years of age or older
     
   • Assistant Instructor - 18 to 21 years of age (Assistant Instructor can instruct youth under direct supervision of an instructor and ONLY if the instructor is present during the instruction)
     
   • Junior Instructors - 16 to 18 years of age. (Junior Instructors, 4-H club members in good standing, can only assist an Instructor in the teaching of youth under direct supervision of an instructor and ONLY if the instructor is present during the instruction)
2. Successfully complete instructor training sessions administered by the State 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Council or National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee and demonstrate competency to instruct as determined through a written test, trainer observation and other screening used before and during training. Volunteers who attend an out of state 4-H shooting sports training must complete the New Jersey State 4-H Shooting Sports Risk Management training before their certification will be recognized in New Jersey.
3. Have been screened, trained, and appointed as a current 4-H Volunteer through the local County Extension Office.
4. Volunteers who respond positively to the question on criminal offenses will be subject to further review, and may not qualify as a Shooting Sports volunteer.
5. Be recommended by County Extension 4-H faculty & staff to work with 4-H Shooting Sports.

Certification

Participants will be certified to teach the discipline to youth participants as part of a formal 4-H Shooting Sports Program. Each state maintains its own standards for certification which may exceed those established by the National Committee. Participants may complete requirements in only one discipline. All equipment is supplied.

The workshops will focus on youth development, risk management and the shooting disciplines.

Instructor candidates must be 21 years or older, assistant instructors (18+ years of age) and Junior Instructors (16 to 18) are welcome. Candidates under the age of 18 must be accompanied and supervised by a paying adult. Adult candidates for firearm disciplines must have a current Firearms ID card (or proof of application) and all candidates must have completed the volunteer leader training and registration process in their respective County—NO EXCEPTIONS.

Current Instructors are required to attend a risk management training from the state office every 3 years. Contact alyssa.glynn@rutgers.edu if you are unsure when your last training was.