All participants must take an extensive training course and then complete a Qualifier match to complete their certification. Upon successfuly completing their first Qualifier, they will receive their Black Badge, which allows them to compete in IPSC competitions around the world. The emphasis of the Black Badge course is safety. Recognizing this, many other clubs and organizations use the Black Badge course as their standard for training or in lieu of their own training program.

The Black Badge course contains both a Theoretical and Practical component. Students should expect to spend up to 8 hours in a classroom environment. Here, they will learn the safety procedures involved when moving with a firearm, reloading under time pressure and drawing from a holster. They will learn the rules of the game and practice all of these under cold conditions (unloaded firearms and magazines) before proceeding with the Practical part of the course.

A full day is spent on the range, where students will practice the skills needed for IPSC style competitions. These include (but are not limited to):

* drawing from a holster
* reloading
* moving with a loaded firearm
* shooting from various positions
* safe use of shooting from barricades

At your own pace, you will progress up through the ranks from "Unclassified" towards "Grand Master Class." No matter where you are, you will always be competing with shooters of a similar ability to yourself.

Black Badge Courses coming up in your area:

For more information about taking a Black Badge course in your area, please contact info@ipscbc.com