Colorado Biathlon Club
Rifle Safety Certification Requirements
Thanks to
Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies
for their support.
Questions? Contact info@coloradobiathlon.org
As of the 2025-2026 winter season, all biathletes using a .22 rifle in USBA events (including CBC races and training at the Snow Mountain Ranch range) must complete the USBA Basic Rifle Safety certification process (BRS) prior to race day. This requirement applies to both new biathletes and those who attended a "Red Book" certification clinic in the past, and is necessary for race participation as well as using the SMR range for training sessions.
The BRS certification includes two steps:
Once you've successfully completed both of the steps above, the safety assessor will notify USBA and in turn you'll receive an email from USBA with a certificate valid for ten years of USBA event participation with a .22 rifle. USBA will track your certification as part of your membership. You can confirm your certification status at any time by logging into the USBA Center web site and checking your account.
Read on for the detailed instructions for completing the BRS requirement.
While you can supervise and help your child, you should not take the course for them. 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.
NOTE: At this time, we are only scheduling in-person assessments for current Red Book holders. New participants should plan to attend the CBC Safety Certification Clinic scheduled for October 19, 2025. This clinic will include the in-person assessment.
The assessment is an in-person knowledge and safety check covering the BRS online course material material, taking place with your rifle (no ammunition).
Until you have completed the BRS Certification, you must register for races under the laser rifle category. Once you have successfully completed the in-person practical test, the CBC trainer will notify the club's Competition Office, who will change your race registration to the .22 rifle competition category.
Available dates for certification are listed below, and are subject to capacity limits and changes to the schedules of CBC trainers. Recertification for all dates will take place in the Winter Park/Fraser/Tabernash area with the addition that "*" dates also have availability at Boulder Rifle Club. To request BRS certification on one of the dates, email [email protected] and a club trainer will confirm availability with you (note that there are no drop-in appointments). If you plan to complete certification just prior to a race, you MUST schedule your certification session no later than when registration closes for that race. If you fail to schedule certification by the deadline, you may not be allowed to race with a .22 rifle at your first event.
If you're a new biathlon participant, please 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 (see subscription links on our home page), 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.
The requirements for training at SMR on your own with a .22 are currently being updated in light of the USBA BRS process and development of USBA Range Safety Officer guidelines. Please stay tuned for updates in the near future.
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.