Shooting course in Brazil: cost and how to choose an accredited instructor

A shooting course and the Federal Police (Polícia Federal, PF) technical proficiency test are different things. The course is optional and has no official price. The test, required to buy, register, renew or carry a firearm, can only be given by an instructor accredited by the PF and costs at most R$ 80.00 (Brazilian reais) plus ammunition, under Law 10.826/2003 (Lei 10.826/2003, the Disarmament Statute).

Note: this text is for information only and does not replace guidance from the Federal Police. We do not compare or recommend instructors or clubs.

What is the difference between a shooting course and the PF test?

The technical proficiency test (teste de capacidade técnica) is the official exam that proves you can handle a firearm safely. The report from this test is one of the documents the PF requires for purchase, registration, renewal, transfer and carry permit applications (art. 2, § 2, of Normative Instruction No. 111-DG/PF/2017).

A shooting course is an optional class, offered by clubs, schools or instructors, for anyone who wants to learn or practice. It does not replace the test and does not produce a report for the PF. To get firearm ownership (home possession), the law requires the test, not a course.

Rules checked in Law 10.826 and IN 111 on October 19, 2026.

How much does the PF shooting test cost?

Art. 11-A, § 2, of Law 10.826 states that, for proof of technical proficiency, "the amount charged by the firearms and shooting instructor may not exceed R$ 80.00 (eighty reais), plus the cost of ammunition". IN 111 repeats the rule in art. 3, § 6.

Charging above this cap is grounds for the instructor's loss of accreditation (art. 11-A, § 3, of the law, and art. 18, X, of IN 111).

Under IN 111, the instructor supplies the firearm and ammunition for the test (art. 3, § 1). In exceptional cases, you may use your own firearm, after requesting a transit permit (guia de trânsito) from the PF. The ammunition must be original and made in Brazil, and reloaded ammunition is prohibited (art. 3, § 7).

How much does a shooting course cost?

There is no official price for an optional shooting course. The price depends on what is included, and each club or school sets its own.

When asking for a quote, ask in writing about:

• hours and content (theory, safety, practice);
• amount of ammunition included and the price of extra ammunition;
• use of the range and of protective equipment;
• whether the firearm belongs to the instructor or the club;
• whether the package includes the official test and, if so, which part of the price is for the test.

If the package combines course and test, the test portion is still capped at R$ 80.00 plus ammunition.

Does PF accreditation allow the instructor to teach any course?

No. Art. 6, § 1, of IN 111 states: "The IAT is prohibited from using the accreditation to teach a firearms and shooting course". The exception is training courses for security guards and municipal guards, under the conditions set by law.

In other words, the instructor may teach an optional course, but may not present the course as an activity of the PF accreditation.

How do I check whether an instructor is accredited by the PF?

The PF publishes the list of accredited instructors on its website, with a PDF list for each state. Before booking the test:

1. Open the PF page "Accredited instructors" and download the list for your state.
2. Check the instructor's name on the list.
3. Ask about the accreditation's validity. It is valid for 4 years (art. 10 of IN 111 and the gov.br page for the instructor accreditation service) and must be valid on the test date.
4. Confirm the range. The test must take place at a regular range that has been reported to the PF in advance.

The instructor must notify the PF electronically at least 3 business days in advance of the test location, date, time and candidates (art. 2, § 8, of IN 111). A test booked at the last minute, at a place other than the one reported, is a warning sign.

To find professionals by city, also use the professionals directory.

What situations prevent an instructor from giving your test?

IN 111 prohibits the test when there is a conflict of interest:

• if the instructor acted as representative or instructor in the purchase process of your firearm (art. 2, § 5);
• if the instructor has ties to the store that sold you the firearm (art. 2, § 6).

In addition, the test must be taken within 1 year after the psychological assessment in which you were found fit (art. 2, § 7).

What happens if I fail the test?

You may take a new test 30 days after the session in which you were found unfit (art. 4 of IN 111). The instructor must report the failure to the PF.

To learn how the exam works and how many hits are required, see how the PF shooting test works.

How to choose a shooting instructor

Without naming anyone, these criteria help:

• valid accreditation on the PF list for your state;
• written quote, separating course, test and ammunition;
• test within the cap of R$ 80.00 plus ammunition;
• regular range reported to the PF;
• no ties to the store that sold your firearm;
• safety rules explained before any shot is fired.

If the instructor charges above the cap or gives the test outside the rules, you can report it to the responsible PF unit. IN 111 provides for a loss of accreditation process in these cases (art. 18).

Want to become an instructor? See how to become a firearms instructor accredited by the PF and the instructor accreditation guide.

Next step

Download the list of accredited instructors for your state from the PF website today and ask for two or three written quotes, separating course, test and ammunition.