SafeWrap Independent Instructor Network
Teach SafeWrap
& Get Paid
SafeWrap is rapidly becoming the standard for safe, effective restraint across healthcare, law enforcement, and public-facing industries, but the demand for training far exceeds the number of qualified instructors.
As a SafeWrap Independent Instructor, you can become the solution.
You set your own rates and keep 100% of the training fee your clients pay.
If you’re ready to turn your skills into real-world impact, this is your opportunity.
PICK YOUR PATH
There are two certification paths available for Independent Instructors. While in-person certification is the preferred option, online certification makes SafeWrap accessible to instructors anywhere in the world.
Live Certification
Attend one of our upcoming live courses and learn through full immersion with our Master SafeWrap Instructors. Click below for course dates.
Online Certification
Complete the entire certification course from home and earn your certification through our interactive online video evaluation process.
SafeWrap at Church
When Butterfield Church in Arkansas wanted to better prepare its staff to safely manage aggressive or disruptive individuals, they turned to SafeWrap Independent Instructor Josh Clemmer for training.
Watch the video to hear firsthand how the experience equipped their team with greater confidence and safer, more effective response strategies.
FAQs
An Institutional Instructor is an individual seeking SafeWrap certification on behalf of their employing organization, solely for the purposes of training other members within that organization. An Independent Instructor is an individual who participates in the SafeWrap Instructor Certification Program with the intent of marketing and teaching SafeWrap to third-party organizations, helping improve safety within those organizations while being compensated for their services.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and successfully pass a criminal background check before acceptance into the program. While a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is beneficial, it is not required.
No industry-specific experience, such as law enforcement or healthcare, is necessary. This program is designed to equip ordinary men and women with the knowledge and skills to teach SafeWrap to organizations that need safer restraint training.
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Once accepted, candidates must complete the instructor course through one of two certification pathways:
1) a 2-day live SafeWrap instructor course, or 2) the interactive online instructor course.
The live course is preferred by most candidates, as it provides full immersion in the shortest amount of time. The online option is ideal for international candidates or those unable to travel, with all instruction delivered via streaming video and practical skills evaluated through video submission.
Independent Instructors are not eligible to participate in the Gracie Medical Defense (GMD) or Gracie Survival Tactics (GST) Instructor Certification Programs. These programs are reserved exclusively for Institutional Instructors attending on behalf of their employing organization.
The cost for the Online Instructor Certification Program is $1250 (USD), however, the cost for the in-person certification is normally $850 (USD) in consideration of the fact that participants will have to cover their own travel expenses in order to get to the live course.
Upon certification, Independent Instructors are licensed and authorized to market and teach the proprietary SafeWrap system to organizations within their community that are not yet using it. These include, but are not limited to, law enforcement agencies, corrections, probation and parole, juvenile detention, school districts, churches, security companies, event venues, retail organizations, public transportation systems, social services, hospitality organizations, and many other public- and private-sector employers whose staff may need to safely restrain an aggressive individual.
Importantly, Independent Instructors may only train end-users. They are not authorized to certify SafeWrap Instructors.
Independent Instructors have the freedom to set their own training rates, retain 100% of their training fees, and build long-term relationships with local organizations. Since SafeWrap end-user certification is valid for 12 months, many organizations schedule annual recertification courses, creating recurring training opportunities while also providing the opportunity to certify newly hired personnel each year.
The only organizations that Independent Instructors are not authorized to train directly are healthcare organizations, including hospitals, care clinics, behavioral health facilities, Fire/EMS agencies, etc. Workplace violence prevention in these environments typically requires more comprehensive training than SafeWrap alone. As a result, the Gracie Medical Defense (GMD) team must be included in all discussions with prospective healthcare clients.
That said, if an Independent Instructor has a personal relationship with someone who works within a healthcare organization, they are encouraged to introduce that individual to the GMD team. If the introduction ultimately results in a Gracie Medical Defense training agreement with the organization, the Independent Instructor will receive a referral fee for facilitating the connection.
There is no territorial exclusivity for Independent Instructors. The sooner you begin offering SafeWrap training in your community and building relationships with local organizations, the greater your opportunity to establish yourself as the preferred training provider before other instructors enter the market.
Your Independent Instructor license remains active provided you continue to meet all applicable licensing requirements. A new license agreement is not required as part of the standard recertification process.
SafeWrap End-User Certification courses range from 4 to 8 hours and can be customized to meet the operational needs of each organization. The 4-hour Core Certification provides participants with competency in the fundamental SafeWrap techniques. The 8-hour Complete Certification builds proficiency in the full SafeWrap system and includes Solo Survival Skills, enabling staff to safely protect themselves and stabilize a violent encounter until additional personnel arrive and SafeWrap can be applied.
Yes. GST and GMD Instructors must complete the standalone SafeWrap Instructor Certification (online or in person) before they are authorized to provide SafeWrap training to third-party organizations.
SafeWrap instruction within the GST and GMD programs is limited to the industry-specific applications of the system. The complete standalone certification provides comprehensive training on the full SafeWrap system, enabling Independent Instructors to customize the training to meet the unique safety needs of organizations across a wide range of industries.
No. Upon certification, Independent Instructors may obtain a SafeWrap license at no cost, issued either in their personal name or in the name of their training business. This license authorizes them to market and teach the proprietary SafeWrap system to third-party organizations. It also establishes quality control standards and insurance requirements designed to help reduce liability for both the Independent Instructor and Gracie University.
Every Independent Instructor will be listed on the SafeWrap website and searchable by location, allowing organizations to easily find and connect with qualified trainers in their area. Instructors are also provided with marketing materials, including executive summaries and videos, to help educate local organizations on the value of SafeWrap training.
Once interest is established, instructors can conduct a live demonstration for key decision-makers, enabling organizations to make an informed decision about adopting SafeWrap for their staff.
Independent Instructors are authorized to set their own rates for SafeWrap training and retain 100% of the training fees. Pricing may vary based on several factors, including the number of participants, the training location, and the length and type of training provided (e.g., 4-hour Core Certification vs. 8-hour Complete Certification).
Some instructors charge a per-participant fee, while others quote a flat rate for the entire course regardless of the number of participants. Once certified, Independent Instructors receive additional guidance on pricing strategies and industry best practices.
Yes. Independent Instructors are required to have liability insurance whenever they teach SafeWrap.
For new instructors who teach only occasionally, purchasing a Special Event General Liability policy for each individual course is often the most cost-effective option.
As your training business grows and you begin teaching regularly throughout the year, it typically becomes more economical to obtain an annual instructor liability policy that covers all of your courses.
Yes. To ensure SafeWrap training is conducted safely and effectively, all practical instruction must take place on a padded training surface.
Some organizations, such as many law enforcement agencies, already have training mats available. Others may choose to rent mat space from a local school, martial arts academy, or similar facility. Many Independent Instructors also invest in portable grappling mats, allowing them to conduct training at the client's location.
Independent Instructors schedule training at whatever times work best for both the instructor and the client organization. Since many organizations operate around the clock, it is common for training to be divided into multiple sessions to accommodate different shifts while maintaining normal operations. Depending on the client's needs, training may be conducted during weekdays, evenings, or weekends.
The flexibility of the Independent Instructor model allows organizations to schedule training with minimal disruption to their daily operations while enabling instructors to tailor their schedules around their own personal and professional commitments.
Yes. Before any formal SafeWrap training is delivered by an Independent Instructor, the organization must obtain a SafeWrap license from Gracie University. The license grants the organization authorization to use the SafeWrap system, provides access to ongoing program updates and expert witness support if needed, and establishes that the organization assumes responsibility for the implementation and use of SafeWrap by its personnel. This helps ensure consistent application of the system while clearly defining the responsibilities of the organization, the Independent Instructor, and Gracie University.
The only cost associated with the license is the certification card fee for each staff member trained, currently $20 (USD) per person. This fee does not apply to qualifying government agencies and organizations.
Organizations are required to renew their SafeWrap license annually. This annual process allows Gracie University to confirm current organizational information, maintain accurate training and licensing records, and ensure the organization continues to operate under the latest licensing terms while receiving ongoing program updates and support. Beyond maintaining an active annual SafeWrap license and ensuring personnel complete their annual certification or recertification, no additional administrative involvement is required.
When an Independent Instructor is paid by an organization for a SafeWrap certification course, they also collect the applicable certification card processing fee for each participant. After the course, the Independent Instructor submits a roster of all participants through Gracie University's online portal and remits the certification card processing fees collected from the organization. Upon receipt, Gracie University issues each participant a Certificate of Completion and SafeWrap Certification Card. The certification card processing fee is separate from the instructor's training fee. Independent Instructors set their own training rates and retain 100% of those training fees. The certification card processing fee, when applicable, is simply collected on behalf of Gracie University and forwarded as part of the certification process.
SafeWrap end-user certification is valid for 12 months, after which recertification is required. As a result, organizations typically maintain ongoing relationships with their SafeWrap instructors to provide annual training, ensuring existing staff are recertified and new personnel are properly trained each year.
Independent Instructors are not authorized to provide SafeWrap services to healthcare organizations without prior written approval from Gracie University on a case-by-case basis.
While solo certification is permitted, SafeWrap is a two-person restraint system, so we recommend certifying alongside a partner. An additional benefit of teaching end-user courses with two certified instructors is the ability to train larger groups while maintaining the optimal instructor-to-student ratio of 1:9.
Got questions? Contact us today!
Download the Summary
Download a PDF document summarizing the details surrounding the Independent Instructor Network.
APPLY NOW
To apply for the Live SafeWrap Instructor Certification Program, simply register for online certification or live certification using the buttons below. After registering, we will conduct a criminal background check. Once your background check is approved, your enrollment will be confirmed by email. If you do not pass the background check, you will not be authorized to participate and you will receive a full refund of the course tuition.
Live Certification
Attend one of our upcoming live courses and learn through full immersion with our Master SafeWrap Instructors. Click below for course dates.
Online Certification
Complete the entire certification course from home and earn your certification through our interactive online video evaluation process.
Got Questions?
We’d love to hear from you. Click the button to tell us a little more about you and your organization, and we’ll reach out within 24 hours to discuss your safety needs.