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USPSA - National Range Officers Institute

Jodi Humann

Why the evergreen rulebooks?

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Since USPSA transitioned to evergreen, or all electronic, rulebooks in January 2019, there have been a lot of questions as to why? My old rulebook was still good?  Why do we need a new rulebook?

If you were carrying the 2014 version of the USPSA Handgun Rules in your range bag, great.  That’s a start.  But, did you have all the other information as well?  The 2014 version of the rules was only part of the complete rule set.  Since 2014, two new divisions (CO and PCC) had been added, the Production division appendix had changed, there was a PCC rules addendum, and about 26 NROI rulings that had changed some of the rules in that 2014 book quite significantly.  To actually have the complete rules, you needed the 2014 rulebook and a ton of extra sheets of paper.

Yes, we like to think that our rules are not very fluid, and they don’t change, but change is inevitable.  And over 5 years, a lot of change did occur.  By switching to an evergreen rulebook, when NROI rulings happen in the future, they will be announced, tracked in a change log, and integrated into the rulebook immediately, on the day they go into effect.

But how am I supposed to keep up on the rules changes and know when a new version of the rulebook is released?  There are several ways:

  • Make sure that the right email address is associated with your USPSA profile. USPSA does send announcements to it’s members. If your email address is broken, then you miss out on the announcements and other things like notifications about RO renewal exams.
  • Read the DNROI’s column in the USPSA Magazine where new rule changes are discussed and announced.
  • Sign up for the Down Range email. It is a weekly email with USPSA and NROI news along with other articles from the shooting sports communities.
  • Use the USPSA App. The app has a Rules section and the rulebooks are searchable by keyword and have a clickable table of contents.
  • Follow USPSA on Facebook and other social media.

The NROI Work Record

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Last spring, USPSA launched the new NROI Work Record function on the USPSA website. The NROI Work Record is accessed through the member Profile or Classification Record pages. In the past, only Range Masters had to log major match work to maintain certification, but now all certified Range Officials can log their work at Level II and above matches.

Why should I log my work? Not only is it a great way for you to keep track of which major matches you have worked and what you did, but it also allows Match Directors and Range Masters who are considering you as staff to see your “NROI resume”. Many major match applications ask for prior work experience, and if you enter the information on the USPSA website, then it is all there for your use when filling out the staff applications.

Adding work to your NROI Work Record is easy. Just login to your USPSA account and on your Profile or Classification Record, right below your RO Certification information, is a link to the NROI Work Record.

Open your NROI Work Record from your Profile or Classification Record page to view your list and use the “Add Work” button in the upper right to add new work.

A table is displayed with any current work records. In the upper right of that table, is a button to “Add Work”. Clicking that button opens a fill-able form. Start by typing the match name. As you type, possible matches are displayed. The match names are pulled from the major match database on the USPSA website. Select the appropriate match and then fill in rest of the information and click “Submit”.

But it’s only a local match

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We have all heard that expression before. It usually is uttered when a stage design isn’t legal, when a shooter is stopped and given a reshoot for a popper not falling, or any other instance where the rules weren’t followed. When it is uttered, all RMs and RMIs (and some RO/CROs) cringe (like finger nails on a chalkboard) and wish they had never heard it.

Why does it upset us? Mainly because the RMIs work very hard to educate USPSA members about the rules and train new ROs/CROs/RMs about the proper application of said rules. It also upsets us because it means that local club matches are not accurate training grounds for competitors who aspire to go to higher level major matches.

One of the benefits of being a USPSA affiliated club, and USPSA member, is the rulebook. The local club matches have a complete set of rules to follow and do not have to publish and maintain their own rule set. It also means that a USPSA member should be able to attend matches across the nation, and know what the rules are, and not be surprised about “local rules” or other penalties not outlined in the rulebook.

There are a few Level I exceptions in the rulebook, mainly in relation to stage design, but rest of the rules apply to a Level I match just as they do for matches Level II and above. Level I matches do not get to pick and choose which rules they want to follow. And just because you “don’t agree” with a rule, doesn’t mean that the rule can be ignored.

Many times, when RMIs are teaching RO and CRO seminars, we see many of the students having “aha moments” while realizing that their clubs have not been following the rules, either intentionally or unintentionally. Yes, sometimes clubs do not realize that they are not following the rules. This usually occurs when there has been a major rulebook change/new ruling and the club has very few certified range officials who have kept up with the changing rules.

Rule changes are announced on the USPSA website, in the weekly Down Range email, and the DNROI’s column in the USPSA magazine. And now, with the new evergreen rulebook and the USPSA App, having a current copy of the rules in your pocket at a match is very easy. Once clubs have enough certified range officials, who keep up with the rules, the accidental rules violations usually disappear or are minimal.

When local matches follow all the rules, the match quality is improved, the match experience is more similar to major matches, and guests and regulars at the matches are following the same rule set. When everyone is on the same page in regards to the rules, the match is more enjoyable for everyone.