Section 1340-02-03-.06 - INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS(1) Handgun Safety Schools shall use Instructors who meet the following minimum qualifications: (a) Applicant must have a valid Handgun Carry Permit or be a full time current P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement officer approved as a firearms instructor.(b) Instructor shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.(c) Instructor shall pay the application fee specified of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) which will be for a three (3) year certification.(d) Instructor shall not have been convicted of a felony.(e) Instructor shall not have been convicted of a domestic violence or stalking charge.(f) Instructor shall not have been convicted of any drug related offenses.(g) Instructor shall not have been convicted of any alcohol related offenses in the past ten (10) years.(h) Instructor shall not have an active order of protection against him/her.(i) Instructor shall submit proof of the completion of a Department approved firearm/handgun instructors training course.1. Approved instructor training courses include those instructed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), National Sheriffs Association (NSA), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Police Officers Standards of Training (POST), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), and the Department of Safety.2. Instructors, previously approved by the Department, who have received certification from another source of training, may retain their TN Certified Handgun Instructor certification for as long as their certification remains valid. If their TN Certified Handgun Instructor certification is allowed to expire or for another reason becomes invalid, the instructor would have to seek certification from the Department under subdivision 1.(j) Instructor shall possess a current instructor's certificate issued by the Department.1. It is the instructor's responsibility to ensure that a renewal application and fee is received by the Department at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date.2. Upon receipt, the Department will process the application and request additional information if the Commissioner or Program Director deems it necessary; and3. Instructors must attend in-service training as determined by the Department.4. If, at any time, the credentials used to become a certified instructor are revoked, suspended, expired, cancelled or denied by the issuing agency, the Department will take the same action on their state certification to teach handgun safety courses.5. If, at any time, an instructor's proficiency in teaching the Department Handgun Safety Program does not meet Department standards, the instructor may be required to attend and successfully complete remedial training as determined by the Department. If the instructor fails to successfully complete the remedial training, this may result in a suspension of the instructor's certification.(k) The applicant will be contacted, via mail and advised of the approval or denial of the application.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1340-02-03-.06
Original rule filed January 25, 1995; effective April 10, 1995. Amendment filed September 16, 1996; effective January 28, 1997. Amendments filed March 15, 2018; effective 6/13/2018.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-3-2009, 39-17-1351, and 39-17-1360.