(a) Purpose.

1. (1) One (1) of the main purposes of the firearms safety training instructor is to train and evaluate the level of competence of a prospective applicant or licensee to ensure that the person meets a basic level of knowledge, understanding, and practical operation for safe handling of a handgun.
2. (2) Instructors shall not certify the successful completion of the training requirements of a prospective applicant or licensee unless the person successfully meets the required standards of training.
3. (3) The instructor may, at the instructor's discretion, refuse to instruct or refuse to provide firearms course completion certification for any person if, in the opinion of the instructor, that person is incapable of successfully completing the required standards of training or enhanced training.

4. (4)

   1. (A) Training must be conducted in person.
   2. (B) Online training is not allowed and will not be accepted.

(b) Maintenance of records.

1. (1) Instructors shall maintain all training records of every person they have instructed for the purpose of obtaining an Arkansas concealed handgun carry license for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date of training.
2. (2) The Division of Arkansas State Police shall have audit privileges of the training records of all firearms safety training instructors.
3. (3) A registered firearms safety training instructor shall be present in the instruction area during any guest instructor's period to verify that the subject matter was properly covered.

(c) Application for approval of registration.

1. (1)

   1. (A) The burden shall be on the firearms safety training instructor applicant for registration to bring himself or herself within the division’s requirements as set out below.
   2. (B) The applicant for registration is required to:

(i) Continuously meet the qualification requirements set forth in Arkansas law for a person to be licensed to carry a concealed handgun;

1. (ii)

(b) (b) The examination shall consist of:

1. (1) (1) The provisions of Arkansas Code § 5-73-101 et seq.;
2. (2) (2) Federal firearms laws;
3. (3) (3) Enhanced training topics; and

4. (4) (4) This part;

   1. (iii) Hold a firearms instructor training certificate from a division-recognized instruction course;

      1. (iv) Offer enhanced training; and
      2. (v) Submit:

(b) (b) The background check fees required for state and national background checks; and

1. (c)
2. (1) (c)(1) One (1) set of legible, classifiable fingerprints.
3. (2) (2) However, the requirement for fingerprints is waived if the applicant holds a current and valid Arkansas concealed handgun carry license.

4. (2) Division-recognized firearms instructor training certificates include:

   1. (A) Firearms instructor's certificate issued by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training;
   2. (B) Completion of a certified pistol instructor course that is recognized by the division and completion of a range officer safety course that is recognized by the division; or
   3. (C) Firearms instructor's certification issued by a federal law enforcement or military agency.

5. (3)

   1. (A) The Director of the Division of Arkansas State Police shall require applicants for registration as instructors to demonstrate their qualifications by examination.
   2. (B) The examinations are given in Little Rock at the Division of Arkansas State Police Headquarters and only with prior approval.

6. (4)

   1. (A) The director may, at his or her discretion, approve an application for registration for a person who fails to meet the qualifications as outlined in this section, if it is determined that the applicant is qualified by experience, education, etc.
   2. (B) The registration applicant will still be required to successfully complete the examination administered by the division.
7. (5) Instructors are not required to obtain an Arkansas concealed handgun carry license, although it is recommended.

8. (6) In the event the applicant is denied, the director shall promptly notify the applicant of his or her decision in writing, via certified mail, return receipt requested, stating the reason for the denial.

   1. (d) Approval to teach enhanced training.

9. (1)

   1. (A) Arkansas Code § 5-73-322(g)(2)(A)(iii) requires that enhanced training be offered by all training instructors and at all concealed carry training courses.
   2. (B) Enhanced training is a separate class from the class required to obtain an initial, nonenhanced concealed handgun carry license.
   3. (C) Instructors are only required to teach enhanced training to students who desire an enhanced license.
   4. (D) However, all instructors and entities that offer concealed carry training classes must also offer enhanced training classes.

10. (2)

    1. (A) All instructors who have a current registration as of January 1, 2018, must successfully complete an exam administered by the Division of Arkansas State Police covering the updated provisions of Arkansas Code § 5-73-101 et seq., federal firearms laws, the enhanced training topics, and this part to be approved to offer enhanced training.
    2. (B) If an instructor fails to successfully complete the exam by January 1, 2020, his or her registration will be revoked.