Definitions
- Range Officer (RO) - the person in charge of a range or part of a range.
- Chief Range Officer (CRO) - the person in overall control of a range where there is more than one Range Officer officiating.
- Range Conducting Officer (RCO) - a person holding a Range Conducting Officer qualification issued by a relevant National Governing Body of shooting.
Range Officers
It is part of the NSRA’s philosophy on safety that all shooting should take place under the control of a Range Officer who:
- is appropriately experienced in all aspects of range control and related matters.
- holds a relevant qualification, the issue of which has been approved by an appropriately qualified assessor.
In the case of all ranges rented by civilian clubs from military sources, it is a condition of hire that the range must be controlled by a Range Officer who holds an RCO qualification issued by the NSRA or NRA. Non-military range owners may apply similar conditions to the use of their facilities.
RCO Course Pack
The course pack is obtainable from Membership Services at the NSRA and one copy will be required for each candidate for the qualification. Copies may be purchased singly or in bulk by clubs or individuals using the order form (download below). Each course pack will be serially numbered and the same number will appear on the ID card and qualification certificate.
The price of the pack (currently £17.50) includes the charges for the course assessment and for the issue by the NSRA of the relevant ID cards to successful candidates and the certificate to their clubs.
The following are issued on the completion of the assessment.
- A personal ID card for retention by the candidate. RCOs are required by the military authorities to present this ID card when officiating on their ranges and are encouraged to have it with them when officiating on any other range.
- A certificate for retention by the club, which may include the names of one or more RCOs who are members of that club. This certificate should be, where possible, on display at the club's premises. Range owners, but not the military authorities, may also accept it as evidence of the qualification of the named individuals.
An engraved lapel badge is also available for purchase by successful candidates.
Assessment
The assessment of candidates may be undertaken by any person holding one of the following qualifications:
| GBTSF or NSRA | Regional Coach |
| County Coach | |
| Club Coach | |
| Coach Educator | |
| NSRA | Club Instructor |
| NRA | RCO Assessor |
The assessor must sign the application form for the ID card and certificate for each successful candidate.
Validity Period of Qualification
The qualification is subject to a validity period of five years from the date of issue. Three months before the expiry date application should be made for renewal, at which time a further copy of the Course Pack will need to be purchased. On renewal it will be sufficient for a Club Official to verify that the RCO is still competent in undertaking RCO duties. However, it is also recommended that all RCOs should take appropriate steps between renewals to keep themselves up to date with relevant developments in shooting practice.
Dual Club Qualification
The RCO qualification assessment is normally undertaken at a candidate's home club and in relation to the circumstances, range layout and procedures at that club. However, an RCO may regularly act in that role at more than one club.
Where required, the name of an RCO who qualified at one club can be added to the certificate held by another club at which he officiates. In such circumstances the Secretary of the second club should apply to the NSRA for the RCO to be added to their certificate, giving the name of the RCO concerned and the serial number of the RCO’s ID card.
It will be sufficient in these circumstances for a Club Official to certify that the RCO is fully conversant with the safety and other relevant arrangements applicable at that club. It will not be necessary for the RCO to undertake a second assessment unless it is the specific requirement of the club.