Single Pitch Climbing Instructor Certification

The PCIA Single Pitch Climbing Instructor™ certification is granted to an individual who completes the Base and Top Managed Climbing Instructor requirements and can demonstrate basic lead climbing skills at a 5.6 standard. It may be completed as part of the 5 day Outdoor Climbing Instructor Series or assessed at a later date.

Single Pitch Climbing Instructor™ Course Pre-Requisites
• You are currently at least age 18.
• Are a PCIA Certified Top Managed Climbing Instructor, a PCIA Certified
Base Managed Climbing Instructor enrolled in the Top Managed Climbing Instructor Module or certified as an AMGA Top Rope Site Manager.
• You possess the personal equipment necessary.
• You are capable of comfortably leading 5.6 routes that require use of artificial gear to protect the climb and to construct anchors.
• You have lead a minimum of 20 traditional climbs at a 5.6 standard or greater illustrating a diversity of terrain and rock type.

Single Pitch Climbing Instructor™ Course Length
The PCIA SPCI module is taught concurrently with the Top Managed Climbing Instructor module. No additional time is required.

Single Pitch Climbing Instructor™ Certification
Aside from the meeting the pre-requisites a candidate need to complete a demonstration lead climb as part of their Top Managed Climbing Instructor component skills to achieve this upgrade.

Single Pitch Climbing Instructor™ Certification Challenges
The Single Pitch Climbing Instructor™ Certification may be challenged. Experienced candidates who can provide evidence of formalized instruction in climbing management and significant field experience are allowed one attempt to challenge. Candidates will be required to take a one day exam that assesses the core skills of base and top managed instruction, single pitch instruction and educational delivery. The requirements for exam challenges are: Completion of AMGA Single Pitch Course or equivalent. A person who currently holds an AMGA Top Rope Site Manager certification may upgrade to PCIA Single Pitch by demonstrating their leading ability. Greater than 3 years experience of working at least 40 days per year of managing rock or ice climbing sites. These sites should include a diversity of single pitch sites that utilize both natural and artificial anchors, or An individual may petition the PCIA to be allowed to challenge the exam based on a resume showing significant experience and evidence of formalized instruction. (ie. An individual with several years of personal climbing background who instructs rock climbing 20 – 30 days per year and has taken at least seven days of formalized technical courses through highly recognized providers).

Single Pitch Certification Maintenance

A PCIA Single Pitch Climbing Instructor™ Certification certification can be maintained in multiple ways:
1. A 16 hour (2 day) recertification course may be taken anytime within three years of the last date of certification.
2. Certified individuals also have the option of participating in approved continuing education courses as well. Recertification by continuing education requires a minimum of 10 hours focused on technical skills and 6 hours focused on education skills.
3. Completion of an equivalent single pitch exam or and AMGA Rock Instructor course also meets recertification requirements.
4. Certified individuals may petition the PCIA for credit for activities that are not pre-approved.

Single Pitch Climbing Instructor Reciprocity
The PCIA recognizes the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor award or equivalent certifications from other countries for reciprocity.

Find a course: You can click here to go to our calendar, which is sortable by date and course type.