AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course and Assessment  

​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. This program is the industry standard for facilitating outdoor rock climbing. It is also a beneficial program to complete prior to moving into the AMGA Guide Track Programs. 

The SPI Program consists of a 3 day course and separate 2 day assessment. Candidates should meet the required prerequisites prior to attending the course or assessment. 
 
About the Course:

• It significantly improves the instructor’s skill sets and integrates into the next level of training, the AMGA Rock Instructor Course.
• 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 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 SPIs 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.

 
3-Day Course Prerequisites:

• You are a Professional Member of the AMGA.
• You have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags.
• You are at least 18 years old at the time of the course.
• You have at least 12 months prior climbing experience.
• You are an active climber with traditional lead climbing experience (leader placing pro).
• You have led a minimum of 15 traditional rock climbing routes (any grade). BRMG requires that you submit a course resume to our office via email prior to the course. 
• You are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.

SPI Course Resume Template: Download 
 
The above prerequisites are absolute minimums. Without having at least this amount of experience, you are unlikely to make the best use of the training.
 
2-Day Assessment Prerequisites:

• You are a current member of the AMGA.
• You have successfully completed an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course.
• You have led a minimum of 40 traditional routes. Most of which should be 5.6 and on a variety of rock types. BRMG requires that you submit an assessment resume to our office via email prior to the assessment. 
• You are able to comfortably lead 5.6 traditional routes, which means you place protection.
• You are able to comfortably climb 5.8 on top rope.
• The SPI Assessment can be taken directly following the SPI Course if the candidate successfully completed the course and meets the assessment prerequisites. However, it is highly recommended that the SPI Course candidate take time practicing and consolidating the skills learned on the course before assessment (3-12 months).

SPI Assessment Resume Template: Download 
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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.

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