National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC)
Armed policing — Authorised Professional Practice
Summary
The National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC) is a comprehensive program of nationally accredited firearms training designed for police personnel. It encompasses a framework of integrated modules and units that form a cohesive training structure. The NPFTC aims to provide ongoing professional development, ensuring consistency and standardization in training activities. It establishes uniform national procedures and terminology for the police use of firearms and related actions, facilitating the sharing of best practices based on lessons learned. Moreover, the curriculum serves as a foundation for the creation of a professional register of practitioners and managers and aids in developing role profiles at national, regional, and local levels, aligning with the guidelines outlined in the 'Direction on the compilation of armed policing strategic threat and risk assessments (APSTRAs)' from 2019. Access to the NPFTC is restricted to authorized police service members.
Key principles
- 1Framework for continuing professional development
- 2Consistency and standardisation in training activities
- 3Standardised national procedures and terminology for firearms use
- 4Promulgation of good practice based on lessons learnt
- 5Foundation for a professional register of practitioners and managers
- 6Basis for developing role profiles according to APSTRAs
Defined terms
- National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC)
- A programme of nationally accredited firearms training developed within a framework of integrated modules and units.
- Armed policing strategic threat and risk assessment (APSTRA)
- ‘Direction on the compilation of armed policing strategic threat and risk assessments’ 2019.
Full guidance
National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC)
This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
The National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC) is a programme of nationally accredited firearms training. The curriculum has been developed within a framework of integrated modules and units that together represent a whole programme.
a framework for continuing professional development * consistency and standardisation across the range of training activities * standardised national procedures and terminology for police use of firearms and related activities * a vehicle for the promulgation of good practice in response to lessons learnt * the basis for a professional register of practitioners and managers * a basis for the development of national, regional and local role profiles (in accordance with the ‘Direction on the compilation of armed policing strategic threat and risk assessments (APSTRAs)’ 2019
**Note**: access to the NPFTC is restricted to authorised members of the police service.
Do not provide personal information such as your name or email address in the feedback form. Read our privacy policy for more information on how we use this data
What is the reason for your answer?
APP is the authoritative source for UK policing practice and is updated over time. For the current, official version — including any operational detail not reproduced here — go direct.
Read the full APP guidanceSource: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.