Choose a membership

Welcome to the Professional Climbing Instructors' Association!

When you become a member, you receive a quarterly e-newsletter, regional and national opportunities for continuing education and training discounts for members.

As a membership-based organization we require the support of an active membership to function. Your contributions do make a difference! The PCIA is a non-profit organization chartered in Colorado, with IRS 501c 3 status.

PCIA Membership Levels

General Member

A general membership is open to anyone who has an interest in climbing instruction.

Benefits include:

•  access to PCIA outdoor climbing instructor courses

•  subscription to PCIA e-newsletter – On Belay.

•  discount on PCIA continuing education clinics

•  discount at PCIA educational library

•  twice a year 25% discount from AlpenglowGear.com

•  access to educational resources to prepare for course

•  supporting the advancement of climbing education

Fee - $99.00 for a three year membership or $50 a year.

Optionally, you can choose to renew every year rather than every three. This costs more but may be a better option for you.

Youth Member

The youth membership is for individuals less than 18 years old. It was established to foster professional involvement by young climbers, particularly those who work in climbing centers.

Benefits include:

•  access to PCIA outdoor climbing instructor courses

•  subscription to PCIA e-newsletter – On Belay.

•  discount on PCIA continuing education programs

•  discount at PCIA educational library

•  twice a year access to 25% gear discount from AlpenglowGear.com

•  access to educational resources to prepare for course

•  supporting the advancement of climbing education

Annual Fee - $35.00

PCIA Certified Member

There are levels of certification attainable through the PCIA. Any current member who passes a certification exam is granted PCIA Certified Member status at the appropriate level. Your membership is upgraded automatically to Certified status when you pass any of our exams, no extra measures need be taken on your part to change your upgraded membership status.

PCIA Certified Climbing Wall Instructor

PCIA Certified Base Managed & Certified Top Rope Climbing Instructor

PCIA Certified Single Pitch Climbing Instructor

PCIA Certified Lead Climbing Instructor

Benefits of PCIA Certified Membership Level

•  All benefits of general membership

•  30% discount at all times through AlpenglowGear.com

•  Professional purchase discounts from vendor members including (program is active when link is live):

Outdoor Prolink (professional purchase clearing house for over 50 brands including LaSportiva, Trango, Omega Pacific, Big Agnes, Adventure Medical Kits, Mountainsmith, Outdoor Research, Rab, Gregory, MSR, Cascade Designs, Scarpa, Sterling Ropes, Thermarest, Cloudveil, Mountain Khakis to name a few).  Applications are approved by Outdoor Prolink after you submit employment information.

Nemo Tents - e mail PCIA office for order forms, complete form and return to PCIA for processing
Osprey Packs - e mail PCIA office for access codes, then go to http://outdoorpro.ospreypacks.com/
Mad Rock - e mail PCIA office for order forms, complete form and return to PCIA for processing
Misty Mountain Threadworks - e mail PCIA office for order forms, complete form and return to Misty Mountain for processing
Black Diamond Equipment - Click on Black Diamond's Professional Purchase link, submit required documentation.  Approval from Black Diamond will be e mailed to you upon completion of application and proof of PCIA certification and employment as a climbing instructor.

PCIA is working with more vendors who will support PCIA in 2011!

•  Access to regulated lands (CTRCI and CSPCI) on par with certification level

•  Able to use appropriate PCIA logo for marketing support

•  Marketing support from PCIA

•  Option to create mini-website within PCIA.US.org

•  PCIA link to member site on PCIA.US.org

Fees are the same as general member: $99.00 for three years or the annual fee of $50.00.

Provider Membership

The PCIA seeks instructor trainers who are passionate about teaching climbing. We seek individuals who are motivated to share their climbing knowledge, are highly experienced climbers, and who have the time and desire to be active participants in the evolution of climbing education. Admission into the instructor trainer program is by application and is governed by PCIA's Education Committee.

If you have not yet applied but are an expert in a field of climbing instruction we would love to hear from you. Please download the attached application and return it to us via mail or email.

Annual Fee: $100.00, which includes the general membership.

Supporting Partners

Supporting Partners are individuals, organizations, or corporations who believe in the PCIA mission and want to contribute to climbing education. To view and support our partner level members, please visit the Supporting Partners page.

Accredited members must become accredited first, and then maintain an accredited-level membership each year

Bronze and Silver Partnerships are primarily for individuals, climbing schools, climbing gyms, small retailers, universities, and non-profit organizations.

Gold, Platinum, and Diamond partners are major donors such as manufacturers, large retailers, and interested individuals.                      

• Individual Partner - $100.00 - $199.00
• Bronze Partner $200.00 – 499.00
• Silver Partner $500.00 – 999.00
• Gold Partner $1000.00 – 4999.00
• Platinum Partner $5000.00 – 9999.00
• Diamond Partner $10,000.00

Each supporting partner receives the following benefits

•  Access to PCIA outdoor climbing instructor courses (individuals only)

•  Subscription to PCIA e-newsletter – On Belay.

•  Discount on PCIA continuing education programs

•  Discount at PCIA educational library

•  30% discount from AlpenglowGear.com (individuals only)

•  Access to educational resources to prepare for course

•  Recognition with a listing and a link if desired on PciaPro.org

•  Access to PCIA organizational best practices manual

•  Able to post job openings on PCIA.US.org job site

•  Opportunities to market to PCIA membership via PCIA's website, newsletters and contact list

•  Supporting the advancement of climbing education

In addition - Gold, Platinum and Diamond partners are recognized in each edition of the e-newsletter ( On Belay ) and featured on PCIA.US.org

Accredited Membership

Accredited Partner $200/year plus initial, one time accreditation fees listed below:

Organization with 1 – 5 instructing staff (leaders and assistants)      $400.00

Organization with 6 – 10 instructing staff (leaders and assistants)     $800.00

Organization with >10 instructing staff (leaders and assistants)         $1200.00