As someone who enjoys archery, did you know you can become a certified archery instructor? If you’re considering becoming an instructor, you’ll first need to understand the different levels of certification so you can decide which level is right for you. Then you must understand what it takes to achieve that level, what you can expect to earn at that level and the benefits that come with choosing that level of certification.

For example, becoming a level 1 archery instructor provides certification to teach archery basics, like safety, equipment, and the shot process. This first level of certification ensures students are learning archery the right way and is the first of 5 certification levels.

As a potential archery instructor, you must follow the steps in place to become certified if you want to teach others how to safely and successfully participate in archery.

What Is A Certified Archery Instructor?

A certified archery instructor is someone who has taken and passed required courses that allow them to teach archery to others. Since there are five different certification levels, you can be content teaching students archery basics or you can decide to further your knowledge by receiving level 2 certification, level 3 certification, or higher!

USA Archery has specific certification requirements for archers who want to become certified archery instructors. For example, level 1 applicants must meet the minimum age of 15, pass a criminal background check, and be registered as a member of the National Field Archers Association (NFAA) or USA Archery to work as an archery instructor.

Potential archery instructors must have their background check performed by USA Archery when pursuing level 2 and above certification using their program. Background checks are especially important as these valuable pieces of certification let archery students, as well as parents, feel confident in their instructor choice.

NFAA and USA Archery are two organizations that offer a multitude of archery training materials, including material on archery competitions.

Benefits Of Becoming An Archery Instructor

A major benefit of becoming an archery instructor is the satisfaction of teaching up-and-coming archers how to shoot the right way! Even though archery is listed as one of the world’s safest sports due to the low number of injuries, it has the potential to be dangerous. Therefore, every new archer must learn how to participate in the sport safely to keep archery listed as one of the safest sports!

While there are many benefits of becoming a certified archery instructor, the number of benefits depends on your future plans. For example, is this more of a part time or full time gig? Below are some top benefits that go hand in hand with becoming a certified archery instructor.

Knowledge

Archery certification programs provide all of the resources necessary to give potential coaches the knowledge required to safely teach students what they need to know to succeed.

Credibility

Becoming certified lets others know you’ve put in the work and understand what you’re doing. Those who have earned their certification will gain authority, seem more reliable, and trustworthy! If you want to work as a certified archery teacher for someone else you must meet their level of certification requirements. If you’re considering starting your own archery program, as a certified instructor you’re much more likely to earn more money due to your certification credentials.

Earn Money

Certification means knowledge. People interested in learning archery the right way are willing to pay for this knowledge. The higher your level of certification, the more some people will be willing to pay for your expertise.

Insurance Coverage

USA Archery offers its members insurance that covers USA Archery sanctioned activities. Other insurances also available include archery instructor liability insurance and general liability insurance options.

Archery Certification Levels

There are a total of five certification levels for archery instructors. Each level represents a certain amount of experience, with level 1 teaching the most basic archery skills and level 5 teaching Olympic level archery skills. Since you’re now thinking which level is right for me, read the archery level descriptions below to learn what each certification level entails.

Level 1 Archery Instructor

This first certification level gives you the tools you need to ensure you teach your students in a way that always keeps a high level of safety in mind. Areas of focus include range setup, proper shooting steps, archery terms & equipment, archery repair, and overall archery range safety. Completing level 1 certification means you’re ready to teach archery to students of all ages. Level 1 is not a prerequisite for level 2.

Getting Certified As A Level 1 Archery Instructor – The cost of the course is $40 and takes 4 hours to complete. You must pass the online course as well as complete the in-person USA Archery practical course.

Level 2 Archery Instructor

This second certification level teaches you how to become a lead instructor for ongoing archery programs. Specifically, you’ll learn the steps for shooting recurve and compound, proper equipment and accessories set up, athlete development, and events. Before you can register for level 2 you must have the following – a current US Center for SafeSport Certification, a current USA Archery Background Screening, and a current USA Archery or NFAA membership.

Getting Certified As A Level 2 Archery Instructor – The cost of the course is $50 and takes 8 hours to complete. You must pass the online course as well as complete the in-person USA Archery practical course.

Level 3 Archery Instructor

This third level is a coaching certification level. This course moves your focus away from group training to individual teaching. As an archery coach, you’ll learn about coaching philosophies, event preparation, mental skills, training cycles and plans, equipment tuning, and advanced instruction on the NTS for recurve and compound.

Getting Certified As A Level 3 Archery Instructor – The cost of the course varies and takes between 20 and 24 hours to complete. You must either be currently certified as a level 2 instructor or take and pass the level 3 test-in exam, and be able to prove you have three years of coaching experience. You must be at least 19 to take this course.

Level 4 Archery Instructor

Level 4 certification teaches you advanced coaching skills. These advanced skills make you eligible for USA Archery’s national development programs, as well as international team staff positions. Coaching topics addressed in this course include communication, sports science, psychology, and biomechanics.

Getting Certified As A Level 4 Archery Instructor – The cost of the course varies and takes one week to complete. You must have your current level 3 coach certification for at least eight months. You must be at least 21 to take this course.

Level 5 Archery Instructor

This fifth certification level supports your ability to coach your students so they can reach the high-performing level of achievement you know they’re capable of reaching. Archers who are certified as a level 5 archery coach have the most amount of archery knowledge.

Getting Certified As A Level 5 Archery Instructor – You don’t have to pay for this self-paced, independent course. You must have your current level 4 coach for at least two years, successfully completed the human kinetics coach education coaching principles course, and the mental management 101 and 102 courses. You must be at least 23 to take this course.

Archery Instructor Salary

The majority of archery instructors go on to become independent contractors. While this means they get to charge their own rates, they should set a rate that’s comparable for their area. In the USA, the average cost of a group archery class is about $25. The average cost of private archery lessons is about $75 per hour.

Archery teachers who decide to work for a local archery program are more limited when it comes to their salary. At the low end, they may make about $12,000 annually. At the high end, $61,000 annually. Currently an archery teacher can expect to make more money teaching in the California Bay Area.

How To Become An Archery Instructor

The detailed information below explains the exact steps you must take to become a certified archery teacher.

1. Visit USA Archery

Founded in 1879, USA Archery was created with the mission of fostering and promoting the sport of archery. They’re a leader in archery coach certification, making them the preferred choice for potential archery instructors who want the highest levels of certification. USA Archery offers nine different membership levels giving you many choices.

2. Select Level 1

If you’re just getting started select the level 1 instructor certification page. Read the detailed course information to understand what’s expected and all that’s required.

3. Create An Account

Creating a USA Archery account is super simple as all you need to do is visit USA Archery, click become a member, enter your information and start your membership.

4. Register For A Course

Choose level 1 from the menu and follow the prompts that take you to the checkout page. Potential archery instructors can choose to take online classes or in-person classes.

5. Pass The Course

You must pass the course to receive your certification. There is an exam for each level, so you have to know what you’re doing to pass.

6. Receive Certification

Once you receive your certification you’re ready to teach! Your USA Archery certification is valid for three years. Mark your calendar now as a reminder to renew your professional archery certification. Once you pass, start marketing yourself as a instructor/coach of that level to gain clients and potentially earn more.

Conclusion

As a potential archery instructor, you must decide whether you want to teach basic archery skills or advanced archery skills. The valuable knowledge and hands-on skills you’ll learn by signing up to take professional archery instructor classes, ensures you’ll teach students properly and successfully.

Becoming a certified archery instructor is a small investment when it comes to reaping its many benefits. No matter the level you decide to achieve, your goal is to teach others how to safely and successfully participate in the sport of archery.