Staying Black Badge Qualified

[Innavedaw]

Does it require additional training to be a match director? And I can only assume if there is no matches within a few hours of me that it might be tough to find a BB instructor near us. Nothing against the guys at my range, but my club is very much interested in hunting and only the type of shooting that goes hand in hand with it. I became the range director 2.5 years ago and there doesn't seem to be much interest when I've talked about organizing any sort of matches that involve anything other than bench style shooting

It doesn’t require any additional training but there is a learning curve. Regarding BB instructors, our section covers the costs of travel and lodging for remote courses and many BB instructors are willing to travel.

The real challenge it seems is having enough interest in your general membership to pull it off. All I can suggest there is keep reaching out. I know when we run IPSC practice nights, that’s when we see the most newbie interest. We set up a couple of mock stages and then run through them a few times each…We usually have a few people approach us and ask questions about what we are doing because it does look fun. We will let them run through the stages and that’s when we hook them.

 

[Wendell]

When I posted that last message, I didn't know that I, myself, have become unable to participate in IPSC.

After 25 years of membership and participation, my dues having been paid without interruption for 25 years, this week, after I'd registered for a match, my registration was cancelled by the director and I was invited to take another 'Black Badge' course. My last Level 2 match (AFAIK) was in June of 2022.

So beware.

 

[Freedom Ventures]

When I posted that last message, I didn't know that I, myself, have become unable to participate in IPSC.

After 25 years of membership and participation, my dues having been paid without interruption for 25 years, this week, after I'd registered for a match, my registration was cancelled by the director and I was invited to take another 'Black Badge' course. My last Level 2 match (AFAIK) was in June of 2022.

So beware.

Wendell - my profuse apologies!
I was wrong.
I just found you on the June 5, 2022 results.

You do not have to take the black badge course over, but being over 2 years out - you have to recertify.
We can do that by spending 2 hours on the range with a CRO or BB Instructor who confirm your competency.
You can come to the AMA practice night on a Wednesday night to do that or make arrangements with a CRO or BB instructors.

Again, sorry for the error.
Sean.

 

[DiMP]

I understand the need to ensure people still have the required skills, but if what Wendell talks about above (being an active participant for 25 years, then missing a single year of competition and having to requalify before he can shoot again) I wonder if IPSC would ever look at the requirements and adjust it to 2 years instead of missing a single season puts you out?

 

[chaoz2001]

I understand the need to ensure people still have the required skills, but if what Wendell talks about above (being an active participant for 25 years, then missing a single year of competition and having to requalify before he can shoot again) I wonder if IPSC would ever look at the requirements and adjust it to 2 years instead of missing a single season puts you out?

June of 2022 to July 2024 is over 2 years.

 

[caperaway]

There are reasons for ipsc wanting to verify you still have the skills to safely compete. We had a gentleman who hadn't shot in awhile attend a match we were at this summer and it was quite apparent after the first stage that his skills were not where they once were. He was on the edge of breaking 90 multiple times in the first couple stages and his movement was pretty erratic. By the third stage he DQ'd by loading his mags at the safety table. Its not that he was a bad guy but he definitely needed a refresh on the safety aspect of the game. Time passes and memory fades and like many skills,if you don't use it some people lose it.

 

[Petrock]

Qualification to wear a holster lol. What if you wear one at work?

 

[Jon.]

Qualification to wear a holster lol. What if you wear one at work?

I remember a big discussion about this ages ago. The answer seemed to be black badge trumps it all. Even if you carry a gun for a living and have spent a ton more time training with it. (They won’t make money off of you then so it doesn’t count )

And to answer above, why would they move it to every two years when that will cut revenue streams?

 

[LUCK12]

Thanks for all the replies so far everyone. I really enjoyed the course and the mini-match we shot at the end. I don't have an interest in competing on a serious level, I think I was just disappointed to learn that if I didn't end up shooting a match within a year, then I'd be SOL to shoot anything in the future until I retook the course. As someone stated above, IPSC does seem to be geared toward the more serious competitor and not to the casual-out-for-fun type shooter

I really enjoy small town living, but it is a drawback for things like this where the nearest events tend to be 3+ hours away. I'll continue looking, and if something lines up with my shift-work schedule I'll try my best to attend

Try and swap a shift with someone at work , or phone in sick. Life priorities

 

[DiMP]

Try and swap a shift with someone at work , or phone in sick. Life priorities

I've got plans to try to sign up for an event in Cranbrook and Trail this year, one of which is supposed to take place 3 weeks before my 1 year expiry. I've been watching social media and practiscore waiting to see how/when to sign up. I'd have to book holidays (or phone in sick I guess) since shift swaps aren't really a thing in my line of work, but I hear what you're sayin

 

[armycat]

Qualification to wear a holster lol. What if you wear one at work?

I remember a big discussion about this ages ago. The answer seemed to be black badge trumps it all. Even if you carry a gun for a living and have spent a ton more time training with it. (They won’t make money off of you then so it doesn’t count )

And to answer above, why would they move it to every two years when that will cut revenue streams?

Black Badge is not a holster course although many ranges that require a holster course will accept the Black Badge in place of their holster course.

Black Badge courses cover the IPSC rules including a written testand range procedures. Range work includes drawing from a holster, reloading, reloading on the move, lateral movement, moving up and down range, transitioning from standing, kneeling, sitting and prone. Shooting through ports or around barricades and accomplishing this all safely and compliant with IPSC rules.

Depending on your occupation and training level you may have the required practical skills but still wouldn’t know the IPSC specific rules and procedures. There are many that carry firearms for a living that don’t have the skills. Many occupations receive their qualification by shooting from a fixed position on a static range.

 

[juancarlos]

As per IPSC BC Policies and Procedures Manual available on the IPSC BC website:

RE-CERTIFICATION:
If a member has not participated in a Level II or higher competition for:

Over 24 months and less than 36 months from their last match, the

Member must:

1. Purchase the new BBC material from IPSCBC.com

2. Write the Open Book Exam and pass it. Minimum 76%

3. Complete a Level I or higher match with match results submitted to TCC.

Over 36 months and less than 48 months from their last match, the

Member must:

1. Purchase new BBC material from IPSCBC.com

2. Write the Open Book Exam and pass it. Minimum 76%

3. Complete and pass the Qualification Checklist requirements of the BBC .

4. Complete a Level II or higher Qualifier match.

48 months or more, the Member must:

1. Re-take the BBC.

 

[armycat]

As per IPSC Policies and Procedures Manual available on the IPSC BC website:

I believe this is in the Resources part of the IPSC BC which requires a log in to view. I believe this is actually the IPSC BC Policies and Procedures Manual and is specific to BC. As far as I can tell there is no standard nationally. IPSC NB permits recertification if you haven’t shot a match in 2-4 years you must complete the qualification checklist, no match required. After 4 years repeat the course. IPSC Ontario less than 2 years buy a membership, 2-3 years assessment by Black Badge instructor, more than 3 years recertification exercises and written test, over 4 years recertification exercises and written test. If the skills aren’t up to standard on the recertification exercises redo the Black Badge course. Ontario info is based on 2016 website info.

 

[juancarlos]

I believe this is in the Resources part of the IPSC BC which requires a log in to view. I believe this is actually the IPSC BC Policies and Procedures Manual and is specific to BC. As far as I can tell there is no standard nationally. IPSC NB permits recertification if you haven’t shot a match in 2-4 years you must complete the qualification checklist, no match required. After 4 years repeat the course. IPSC Ontario less than 2 years buy a membership, 2-3 years assessment by Black Badge instructor, more than 3 years recertification exercises and written test, over 4 years recertification exercises and written test. If the skills aren’t up to standard on the recertification exercises redo the Black Badge course. Ontario info is based on 2016 website info.

The OP is in BC hence the BC manual. I never said it covered all provinces and no, you do not require to login to access this portion of the IPSC BC website.

https://ipscbc.com/rules/

 

[armycat]

The OP is in BC hence the BC manual. I never said it covered all provinces and no, you do not require to login to access this portion of the IPSC BC website.

https://ipscbc.com/rules/

Thanks for the link, I couldn’t find it. I am a bit surprised that maintaining the Black Badge is not standardized.

 

[pmt]

Thanks for the link, I couldn’t find it. I am a bit surprised that maintaining the Black Badge is not standardized.

I am surprised that maintaining the Black Badge is required.

 

[juancarlos]

Thanks for the link, I couldn’t find it. I am a bit surprised that maintaining the Black Badge is not standardized.

You just scroll down the page to the first document "IPSC BC 2025 Policies and Procedures"

 

[DiMP]

As per IPSC BC Policies and Procedures Manual available on the IPSC BC website:

RE-CERTIFICATION:
If a member has not participated in a Level II or higher competition for:

Over 24 months and less than 36 months from their last match, the

Member must:

1. Purchase the new BBC material from IPSCBC.com

2. Write the Open Book Exam and pass it. Minimum 76%

3. Complete a Level I or higher match with match results submitted to TCC.

Over 36 months and less than 48 months from their last match, the

Member must:

1. Purchase new BBC material from IPSCBC.com

2. Write the Open Book Exam and pass it. Minimum 76%

3. Complete and pass the Qualification Checklist requirements of the BBC .

4. Complete a Level II or higher Qualifier match.

48 months or more, the Member must:

1. Re-take the BBC.

So reading the rules you posted, plus the ones you linked to, if I understand correctly:

Need to participate in a match (level 2? I don't understand the levels/ratings) within one year of completing the BB course. After that first match, then your rules copied apply which gives more time, but requires a written test and participate in a level 1 event

 

[armycat]

So reading the rules you posted, plus the ones you linked to, if I understand correctly:

Need to participate in a match (level 2? I don't understand the levels/ratings) within one year of completing the BB course. After that first match, then your rules copied apply which gives more time, but requires a written test and participate in a level 1 event

IPSC has five levels of matches with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. A level 1 handgun match can have a round count as low as 40 rounds with a minimum of 3 stages and 10 competitors. A level 5 match would have a round count of 450 rounds with 30 stages and a minimum of 300 competitors. There are differences in mandatory staff and approvals at the different levels. Level 4 and 5 matches must have a chronograph stage which is not required at level 1 and is only recommended at level 2 and 3. Depending on number of members and resources there may be some variation but in SK monthly matches are Level 2 and the provincial championship is Level 3.

 

[juancarlos]

So reading the rules you posted, plus the ones you linked to, if I understand correctly:

Need to participate in a match (level 2? I don't understand the levels/ratings) within one year of completing the BB course. After that first match, then your rules copied apply which gives more time, but requires a written test and participate in a level 1 event

Yes, that is pretty much correct. A level 2 match is typically a one day match with approx 7 stages and over 80 rounds (usually closer to 130) and probably the most common you will find around the province. Often clubs will hold two level 2 matches over a weekend, one on Saturday and one on Sunday to make it more worth setup and travel but some people only shoot one day while most tend to shoot both.

If you look at Appendix A1: IPSC Match Levels in the back of the IPSC Handgun rulebook (page 43) it shows the differences in match levels in a table.

As I am sometimes deployed there have been years I wasn't able to shoot a match but as long as I shoot at least one every two years there is no issues or hoops to jump through.