(Course ID FRMS-PG-0002)
Image of the National Firearms Examiner Academy seal
The application period for admission to the 2026-2027 session of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) is open to all qualified candidates. In addition to personal qualifications, trainees must be assigned to an established firearms section within federal, state and local agency laboratories. Agencies must have an experienced firearm and toolmark examiner on staff to guide and prepare their trainee with mandatory assignments and a research project prior to graduation from the program. The trainer will also be required to continue with a formal training program once the trainee completes the NFEA program.
The NFEA provides training for apprentice/entry level firearm and toolmark examiners to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. It is important to note that the NFEA is not a certification program. The academy curriculum is composed of the fundamentals of firearms & toolmark examinations and serves as a basis for the trainee, under supervision, to develop into a qualified firearm and toolmark examiner. The application deadline for the 2026-2027 session of the NFEA is July 20, 2026, with selections made soon after. It is anticipated that the class will begin October 12, 2026, pending funding from ATF. Please note the training schedule may be adjusted based on the receipt of funding.
Tentative dates: October 12, 2026, through September 24, 2027.
All training costs and lodging expenses will be fully funded by ATF. The applicant’s agency is responsible for funding two round trip-travel expenses to Ammendale, Maryland, for Phase II and Phase IV. Food per diem coverage is contingent upon the availability of funds.
Additional information and the application form can be located at:
Please direct questions to:
Jodi Marsanopoli
NFEA Program Manager
nfeatraining@atf.gov
