Whether you are considering becoming a climbing instructor, certain of your path to being a climbing professional, or just looking to apply the AMGA SPI skillset in your personal climbing, the SPI Course and Assessment will provide you with professional level technical and interpersonal skills.

AMGA SPI Course

The Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Program teaches climbing instructors to proficiently facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a single pitch setting. The SPI is the only internationally recognized single pitch climbing instructor certification program in the United States. It was developed to fit in the AMGA Rock program.

Benefits:
- It significantly improves the instructor’s skill sets and integrates into the next level of training, which includes the AMGA Rock Guide Course and the Multi-Pitch Instructor certification.
- The program is for current, active rock climbers who have a real desire to teach rock climbing to novices in a single pitch setting.
- The SPI Course is a 27 hour training course plus ~ 3 hours of pre-course eLearning that normally runs as three consecutive nine-hour days or day classes with evening sessions.
- The SPI Assessment is a minimum of 16 hours run over a two-day period.
- Certification lasts for three years as long as the candidate keeps current AMGA Membership and First Aid Certification.
- After three years current SPI’s can re-take the SPI Assessment to regain the SPI certification.
- Taking any higher level AMGA Course also recertifies the SPI certification for another three years.
- You are a Professional Member of the AMGA.
Candidates meet the pre-requisites for enrollment in an SPI Course if they:
- Are or register as a Professional Member of the AMGA.
- Have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing on single pitch crags.
- Are at least 18-years old at the time of the course.
- Have at least 12 months prior outdoor climbing experience.
- Are active climbers with traditional lead climbing experience (leader placing pro).
- Have traditionally led a minimum of 15 rock climbing routes (any grade).
- Are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.
The above prerequisites represent absolute minimums, and most candidates exceed them. Candidates who do not meet these minimums are unlikely to fully engage in the course or make effective use of the training. Individuals who are unsure whether they meet the prerequisites are encouraged to seek guidance from an AMGA Certified Multi-Pitch Instructor, Rock Instructor, Rock Guide, or Mountain Guide prior to enrolling in an SPI program.
Please submit an SPI Course Climbing Resume to BRMG by email at spi_documents@blueridgemtnguides.com by the time of the program.

Students/candidates will receive a "not pass" final mark if they are deficient in performance, fail to meet the program prerequisites, fail to complete eLearning, or breach the AMGA code of conduct & ethics.

AMGA SPI Assessment with Blue Ridge Mountain Guides

AMGA SPI Exam

- The SPI Exam is held over two days and is at least 16 hours.
- During the exam candidates are evaluated in nine categories while applying skills learned during the course and while guiding and instructing assessment clients.
- Day one is composed of operating technical systems and demonstrating climbing movement.
- Day two consists of candidates continuing to demonstrate technical systems or climbing as well as instructing assigned teaching segments.
- Evaluation categories include: Professionalism, Risk Management, Terrain Assessment, Technical Systems, Application, Instructional Ability, Client Care, Climbing Movement, and Mountain Sense.
Candidates may enroll in an SPI Exam after successfully completing an SPI Course and meeting the Exam prerequisites, including required post-course resume experience, and within two years of course completion. Most successful candidates spend an additional 3–6 months practicing, teaching, and refining their skills prior to taking the SPI Exam.
Candidates meet the SPI Exam pre-requisites if they:
- Are a current member of the AMGA.
- Have successfully completed an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course within the past 2 years. For those renewing, their SPI certification must be valid or within 1 year expiration.
- Have traditionally led a minimum of 40 rock climbing routes, including at least 15 completed after the candidate’s most recent SPI program. A large number of these should be at the 5.6 grade (or higher), in various locations and on a variety of rock types. Refer to the SPI Exam resume requirements on page 35 for full details.
- Are capable of comfortably lead climbing (leader placing own protection) on any 5.6 traditional route. Candidates will demonstrate their leading ability on a variety of routes during the assessment.
- Are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 with a top rope belay. Candidates will demonstrate their top rope climbing ability during the assessment.
- You do not need First Aid training to take the course or assessment. However, it is your responsibility to hold appropriate medical certification for the location that you are working in.
Please submit your SPI Assessment Climbing Resume to BRMG by email at spi_documents@blueridgemtnguides.com by the time of the program.
Students/candidates will receive a "not pass" final mark if they are deficient in performance, fail to meet the program prerequisites, fail to complete eLearning, or breach the AMGA code of conduct & ethics.

The SPI Course has a sunset time of two years. If a course graduate has not successfully passed an SPI Exam within two years of course completion, they must retake the SPI Course prior to pursuing an SPI Exam.
There is no minimum time requirement between successful completion of the SPI Course and participation in the SPI Exam, provided all assessment prerequisites are met.
Most successful candidates practice and consolidate skills for three to six months prior to assessment.
AMGA SPI Course Tuition
$650.00 per person (2027 $695)

AMGA SPI Assessment Tuition
$475.00 per person (2027 $525)

*WV locations +6% sales tax
*Great Falls, VA +$20.00 park fee or applicable America the Beautiful Pass (present or pay at park entry)
Purchasing a copy of Rock Climbing: The AMGA Single Pitch Manual (How To Climb Series) prior to the course can help prime you to take as much away from the program as possible.

BRMG will also have copies available for purchase at the current Amazon rate with cash or Venmo at the start of the course.
The below Google Drive folder hosted by the AMGA is the comprehensive location for the most up to date program information.
AMGA SPI Program Resource Folder
Groups of 7+, AMGA Programs, and AIARE Courses
At the time of booking, a 50% deposit is due. Deposits are refundable 90 days or more prior to your program start. NC State Park Fees are charged at the time of booking and are non-refundable and non-transferable. Your deposit is transferable once within the calendar year if requested 30 days prior to the scheduled program start. Once a deposit is transferred to a new booking, the full program cost is due and is non-refundable and non-transferable. Within 30 days of all scheduled programs, the full program cost is due and is non-refundable and non-transferable. In the event of severe weather or other circumstances out of BRMG’s control, or if parks and forests close or are not able to issue permits, it may be necessary to reschedule or change the location or objective of your trip.