Colorado Biathlon Club

Rifle Safety Certification Requirements

Thanks to Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies for their support.

Questions? Contact info@coloradobiathlon.org

Minimum USBA requirements to race with a .22 rifle

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:

1. Taking an online Basic Rifle Safety Course and passing the associated quiz. You will receive an email confirmation once you pass this portion of the certification process. Keep this confirmation handy (in either electronic or printed form) to show your safety assessor when you meet for the practical assessment.
2. Passing an in-person Basic Rifle Safety Assessment. You must show your proof of online BRS course completion to your safety assessor.

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.

Step 1: Enroll in and complete the USBA BRS online course

• 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 at the USBA Center web site, then add the child as a dependent in their profile by following the links to My Account -> Update My Profile -> Add Dependent. Access the Basic Rifle Safety U13 Course (ages 12 and under). When you login to take the class, be sure to choose your child’s name from the dropdown menu or it will look like you are taking the course, not your child.

  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.

Step 2: Schedule an in-person BRS Assessment

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).

The following times are available for safety assessments prior to the 2025-2026 winter season. CBC may not have additional certification times before your first race. Do not put this off or you may not be able to race with a .22 rifle at your first event of the season. We know that some club members live several hours away from both certification locations and those members should contact Brent ([email protected]) to arrange their certification.

Sessions at Boulder Rifle Club (4810 N. 26th St, Boulder CO 80301):

• Wednesday, September 10: 5:00pm-6:30pm
• Wednesday, October 1: 5:00pm-6:30pm
• Wednesday, October 15: 5:00pm-6:30pm

Sessions at Snow Mountain Ranch range:

• Sunday, September 7: 12-2pm
• Friday, September 12: 4-6pm
• Sunday, September 14: 3-5pm
• Sunday, October 5: 9-11am
• Saturday, October 25: 12-2pm

You must sign up in advance for a BRS Assessment (no drop-ins). To sign up, please email [email protected] with the subject "BRSC Assessment - Redbook Holders" and include the following information:

• Three preferred dates
• Indicate if you are 13 years or older, a U13 competitor, or parent responding for a U13 competitor
• Date you completed the online BRSC course (bring proof of completion to the assessment)
• Redbook Number
• Mobile number for changes, cancellations, questions

CBC safety certification clinics

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.

• 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.

Training at Snow Mountain Ranch with a .22 rifle

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.

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.