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Now the the shorter classroom hours is passed, how many students will elect to wait until Sept. 1st to apply? It will be interesting to see how class enrollment changes. I know if I were a new applicant, I would wait until Sept. 1st.

The point of this post it to get a general feeling by other instructors on how much you will reduce your class fees. The students will expect a shorter class time to result in a reduced fee. So how much will you reduce????

Good questions, although I don't believe the bill has completed its journey through the legislative process yet. You might be getting a little ahead of yourself.

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, just try not to count my chickens before they're hatched.

Even though it's not officially law yet (I think it will pass).
I think a lot depends if prices are lower for a shorter class........maybe not I would opt for a shorter class at the same price.(price reduction would be nice though)

Several Instructors in Houston have $69 classes now. One (Tactical Firearms in Katy) is advertising $59 classes. I can't see it going much lower than that.

On a side note, I had to pay $225 to get my required (maybe) NRA Basic Pistol Instructor qualification to renew my CHL Instructor license.

howdy wrote:Several Instructors in Houston have $69 classes now. One (Tactical Firearms in Katy) is advertising $59 classes. I can't see it going much lower than that.

On a side note, I had to pay $225 to get my required (maybe) NRA Basic Pistol Instructor qualification to renew my CHL Instructor license.

The last instructor we used was $69 for both initial and renewal classes.

You are performing the same service in teaching students. The cost of facilities is still there. The same equipment.

I think we need to remember what those fees include. I charge $110 for my class, but it includes all range fees, lunch, snacks, and CHL-16/handouts/etc. So if I take out $10 for lunch because the time is reduced, and the $25 for range fees, and ~$5 for snacks/water, that gets my class down to $70. You could say this is a 'reduction in fees', but really it is a reduction in customer service (convenience). I don't know about the class mentioned above in Katy, whether it includes range fees, etc., and every instructor situation is different. So buyer beware - know what your fee gets you, and what the extras might cost before you buy the class. YMMV

TBM

We paid $100 for our class here in San Antonio. Best money I ever spent. And if that's what it takes for a renewal (pending legislation changes of course) I'll do it again. We were fortunate to have a great instructor and he was worth every cent.

I paid 59 for my renewal class. It included range time. No snacks ... No lunch... No waters...

Hold on to your hats...This is still a work in progress.

Even though Perry is expected to sign SB 864 there is still another bill (HB 48 recap below). If this bill passes then renewals will be a moot point for CHL instructors.

From the NRI-ILA email I received today:
"House Bill 48 by state Representative Dan Flynn (R-Canton) and Senator Donna Campbell (R-San Antonio) streamlines the process for renewal of a Concealed Handgun License by eliminating the continuing education course and handgun proficiency demonstration requirements. Applicants would still be required to renew their licenses every five years, but they would be provided with an informational form regarding pertinent firearms and deadly force laws, which would have to be signed and turned in with the CHL renewal application."

I personally do not plan on reducing my fees for the initial license. The feedback I get from my students is that they appreciate the food & beverages I bring in and also the handbook I print and give to each student. These all cost money and I'm happy to provide them to increase the value of the class and improve their learning experience. If someone is just interested in 'the cheapest class around' I will not miss having them in my class.

HB 48 needs to pass and become law. The last thing I want to do is sit 4 or 5 hours with an instructor who knows less about CHL laws than I do and more than likely spends less time shooting than I do. It's time people assumed personal responsibility for educating themselves. If someone does not have the ability to learn on their own or lack the discipline to do so, then let them seek out additional training.
My last renewal instructor should have paid me as he learned far more than I did.

I don't plan on reducing fees. From what I've read, the bill says 4-6 hours, and I will have 4 hours of instruction plus time for folks to take the test and do paperwork, then shooting time as needed. I am going to move some of the class content to the internet for people to keep learning before or after the course, so what is learned will not decrease, and my costs for conducting the class don't really decrease either.

I'm sure some of the cheapy instructors will drop to $30, but I don't compete on price.

jocat54 wrote:Even though it's not officially law yet (I think it will pass).

It's already passed. It's waiting for Perry's signature.

It will be interesting to see how the fees and class hours plays out with the instructors. TBM and I have been talking about several business ideas around this.

baldeagle wrote:

jocat54 wrote:Even though it's not officially law yet (I think it will pass).

It's already passed. It's waiting for Perry's signature.

Sorry, You are correct. Bad wording on my behalf.