Rifle Safety Certification Requirements

Jump to: Winter Events and Training | Summer Events | USBA Requirements | Attend a CBC Safety Certification Clinic

Safety certification requirements: Winter events and training sessions

Anyone using a .22 rifle at the Snow Mountain Ranch biathlon range during a winter biathlon event or during training sessions at any time of year must have attended a CBC safety certification clinic and passed the accompanying practical assessment. Visitors from other clubs must provide proof of attendance at a similar certification clinic at their local range and proof of competition experience at a USBA event.

Safety certification Requirements: Summer events

For individuals who have not attended a safety certification clinic and wish to race with a .22 rifle, we will provide limited opportunities to fulfill the USBA-required practical assessment on race day (see "USBA Basic Rifle Safety Course," below). You will need to complete the online portion of the safety course before race day, and bring proof of course completion with you! If you pursue this option, you will also need to attend a brief safety/logistics overview the morning of the race, described below. This process allows .22 rifle use on that race day only. You will need to attend a subsequent CBC safety certification clinic in order to use a .22 at a winter event or during training sessions on the range.

Pellet rifles are available at our summer event for participants who haven't taken the USBA online course and/or aren't able to sign up for the opportunity for the USBA practical assessment on race day. All first-time racers will need to attend a safety briefing and race logistics overview early on race day, regardless of the rifle type they plan to use.

USBA Basic Rifle Safety Course

Anyone participating in a USBA event with a .22 rifle will need to complete the USBA Basic Rifle Safety Course, which consists of an online presentation and quiz followed by a practical assessment. To enroll in and complete the class:

Register for an account at https://center.usbiathlon.org if you don't already have one.
Once you're logged in, go to Education -> US Biathlon Courses -> Basic Rifle Safety Course
The direct link is https://center.usbiathlon.org/page/5402/u-s-biathlon-courses
Individuals age 13 and older: Be sure to select the "Basic Rifle Safety Course," not the "U13" course!
For individuals under the age of 13: A parent or guardian will need to create a profile, then add the child as a dependent in their profile. The child should complete the "U13 Basic Rifle Safety Course." 18 correct responses (out of the 20 questions) are required to pass. Please note that the U13 course is manually graded, and turnaround time may not be quick if another attempt is required to pass the test. In other words, don't wait until the night before the relevant event to tackle the online portion of the course.

CBC safety certification clinics: The basics

See the online schedule for dates of upcoming safety certification clinics.

CBC safety certification clinics include the practical assessment portion of the USBA Basic Rifle Safety Course (described above) along with additional lecture material and practical experience on the range. You will need to complete the online portion of the USBA course before you arrive on-site for the CBC safety certification clinic. Bring proof of course completion with you!

Clinics are generally held in October and mid-season and are limited by volunteer instructor availability. Clinics are announced via the CBC Members mailing list, and are posted on the CBC web site.

Club rifles and ammunition are provided for clinic participants. If you already own a suitable .22 that you'd like to use for racing, bring it (and ammunition) with you. Ammunition must be standard velocity .22 long rifle.

Cost for Certification Clinics is $20.00 plus the cost of a USBA membership, which must be purchased directly from USBA. Either an annual or one-day USBA membership is acceptable, and is necessary to comply with insurance requirements. Visit the USBA web site to create an account and purchase a USBA membership. CBC membership is not required, but is appreciated.

The afternoon session will be at the SMR biathlon range. Requirements to use the range vary by season.

During the ski season: You will need to purchase a trail pass at the Nordic Center and ski (or snowshoe) to and from the range. Rental equipment is available at the Nordic Center.
If the trails are not yet skiable: You may need to purchase a day pass. If so, information will be included in an email sent out to participants the week before the clinic.

Safety Certification clinic details

Schedule

0945 - 1000: Check-in at the classroom. The classroom location for the morning session will be emailed to registrants once it's confirmed.
1000 - 1200: Classroom instruction
1200: Lunch break (bring a lunch!)
1300: Meet at the range for the practical portion of the course
1300 - 1530: Range orientation and practice
1530: Range cleanup

What to bring

Are you under the age of 18? Bring a parent or other adult. You will be required to have one with you! (See next section.)
Proof of completion for the online portion of the USBA Basic Rifle Safety course!
Pen/pencil and notebook
Whatever you need to sit comfortably for 2+ hours (food, beverage, etc).
Lunch and snacks
Clothing appropriate for the day's weather. You will be outdoors at the range from 1.5 - 2 hours. Note: There are no toilet facilities at the range!
Thin gloves for actually shooting and warm gloves or mittens if necessary to keep warm while waiting to shoot.

Participants under the age of 18

Clinic attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or coach.
Clinic attendees must be at least 11 years of age.
Competitors using CBC club rifles in races must be 13 as of December 31 of the winter competition season (e.g., age 13 by December 31, 2024 for the 2024-2025 winter season).
Individuals age 11-12 who have access to a personal .22 rifle may attend a safety certification clinic with their own rifle, and use their .22 rifle when racing. (Club rifles are not available to participants under the age of 13.)
All range users under the age of 18 ("under-aged person") must have a Safety Certified parent or assigned responsible adult (at least 18 years old) closely supervise their .22 caliber or pellet shooting activities on a one-on-one basis for practice, certification, training and races. During races when the Safety Certified under-aged person is using a .22 caliber rifle, the supervising adult or parent must remain in the coaching area. "Closely supervise" is interpreted to mean that the supervising adult must be within 20 feet of the shooting position during the shooting interval. "One-on-one" shall be interpreted to mean that the responsible adult may not supervise more than one under-aged person at the same time. The responsible adult may supervise multiple persons serially and without overlap.
Refer to the competition categories information for more age-group details.

Getting to Snow Mountain Ranch

Snow Mountain Ranch is off of US Highway 40, between Tabernash and Granby, CO. The SMR property address is 1101 Co Rd 53, Granby, CO 80446. See the property map and additional Nordic Center information.

Colorado Biathlon Club