Interior About
AMGA

Join the AMGA

The AMGA keeps you informed of current issues that effect guiding in the US and internationally and represents you and your profession. Get involved! — Angela Hawse, AMGA Certified Rock Guide and member of the Board of Directors

As a member of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), you are joining a network of professional guides and connecting to a larger community across the country and around the globe. The organization strives to represent its membership by providing support, education, and professional standards.

By becoming an AMGA member, you are joining a team of guides who share similar professional goals. As an organization, the collective voice of your profession is strengthened and the momentum of your craft accelerated. Clients, land managers, and outdoor industry leaders look to the AMGA for excellence, support, and viable solutions. By joining the 1200 plus guides already involved, you become a part of the future of guiding.

The AMGA is your Guide Association.

American Mountain Guides Association Membership Classifications:

To become an AMGA memeber, please fill out the Membership Application (PDF) or contact the AMGA Membership Director at 303.271.0984.

Associate Member:

Eligibility: Open to anyone interested in joining a larger community of rock climbers, alpine climbers and skiers interested in education, instruction and guiding in technical mountain terrain. 
Annual Dues: $40 Student (must provide proof of enrollment)
Annual Dues: $60 non-student
Benefits:

  • Quarterly AMGA Newsletter the Mountain Bulletin
  • Monthly AMGA E-newsletter and E-news updates on important issues in guiding as they arise
  • Discounts on AMGA publications
  • Invitation to attend the AMGA Annual Conference and professional development clinics
  • Eligibility to apply for AMGA climbing instructor level courses (CWI and SPI) and introductoty level guide courses (RIC, AGC and SGC)

Individual Member:

Eligibility: Any Instructor or Guide who works at least part-time as a professional guide or technical climbing instructor. Applicants must submit a resume with a minimum of 40 paid days of guiding in the last two years and 20 days of personal climbsing in the last two years. Two letters of refernce from an employer, fellow guide, or client need to be submitted with the application. 
Annual Dues: $100
New Individual Member Dues: $115
Benefits: Same as Associate Membership plus:

  • Eligible to vote in the annual Board of Directors election
  • Eligible to run for AMGA Board of Directors
  • Discounts on AMGA publications
  • Pro-Purchase 
  • Eligibility to apply for AMGA advanced level guide courses and exams (RGC, RIE, RGE, AAGC, AGE, SMGC, SMGE)

IFMGA Guide:

Eligibility:Guides who have passed the AMGA Rock Guide, Ski Mountaineering Guide and Alpine Guide Exams to become IFMGA Certified Guides.
Annual Dues: $125
Benefits: Same as Individual Membership plus:

  • Pro-Purchase 
  • Eligibility to apply for an AMGA Logo Use Agreement to use the AMGA logo to promote yourself in advertising and marketing 

Certified Guide:

Eligibility:Guides who have passed at least one of the following: AMGA Rock Instructor, Rock Guide, Ski Mountaineering Guide or Alpine Guide Exam.
Annual Dues: $100
Benefits: Same as Individual Membership plus:

  • Pro-Purchase 
  • Eligibility to apply for an AMGA Logo Use Agreement to use the AMGA logo to promote yourself in advertising and marketing 

Certified Single Pitch Instructor:

Eligibility: Guides who have passed an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Exam
Annual Dues: $60
Benefits: Same as Individual Membership plus:

  • Pro-Purchase 
  • Eligibility to apply for an AMGA Logo Use Agreement to use the AMGA logo to promote yourself in advertising and marketing 

Certified Top Rope Site Manager:

Eligibility: Guides who have passed an AMGA Top Rope Site Manager Exam
Annual Dues: $60
Benefits: Same as Individual Membership plus:

  • Pro-Purchase 
  • Eligibility to apply for an AMGA Logo Use Agreement to use the AMGA logo to promote yourself in advertising and marketing 

Certified CWA—AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor:

Eligibility: Guides who have passed a CWA—AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor Exam
Annual Dues: $45
Benefits:

  • Quarterly AMGA Newsletter the Mountain Bulletin
  • Monthly AMGA E-newsletter and E-news updates on important issues in guiding as they arise

Lifetime Membership:

Eligibility: Any AMGA Certified Guide who wishes to support the organization by donating $2500 or more.
One Time Dues: $2500
Benefits: Same as Certified Guide Membership plus:

  • You will receive an inscribed AMGA pin
  • An embroidered AMGA jacket
  • Discounts on AMGA publications
  • Pro Purchase discounts from industry sponsors

Emeritus Membership:

Eligibility: A retired guide or instructor of the mountain community that has distinguished themselves through their contributions of significant value to the guiding profession as well as general mountain safety and knowledge.
Annual Dues: $100
Benefits: Same as Individual Membership.

Accreditation Member

Eligibility: Accreditation is granted to guiding companies, schools, and programs that meet or exceed the high operational standards required during an extensive safety and business review.
Accreditation Review Fee (Every 4 Years): $1000
Annual Dues: $150
Benefits:

  • Full-time guides for Accredited Programs receive a 5% discount on AMGA courses & exams
  • Use of the AMGA Accredited Program logo in marketing/promotional materials
  • Making it easier for climbing services to obtain and retain liability insurance
  • Increased access to commercial permits on public lands
  • All AMGA Accredited Programs will be listed on the Access Fund website