AMGA Rock Instructor
Rock Instructor Exam | Important Update
2019 is the final year of the AMGA Rock Instructor Exam. Over the past several years AMGA has seen a significant decrease in the number of students applying to the RIE (numbers have been dwindling year to year and in 2018 we had two RIEs scheduled and both were canceled due to lack of interest/applicants). On the flip side, we have seen a large increase in the number of students pursuing the Advanced Rock Guide Course/Assistant Exam, which has a greater Scope of Practice than the RIE and is a higher level of training.
2020 | Multi-Pitch Instructor Update
In 2020 the RIE will be replaced with the Multi-Pitch Instructor Course & Exam – Read Updates and FAQS HERE
Rock Instructor Program Information
You are expected to have a strong recreational climbing background with an acquired knowledge of knots, belaying, anchors, protection strategies, and climbing systems. It is assumed that you can lead the climbs listed on the submitted resume and that you are physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for a week of outdoor activity.
To get your Rock Instructor Certification, you must complete:
- The 10-day Rock Guide Course (RGC)
- The 6-day Rock Instructor Exam (RIE)
- Current CPR Certification
- Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification or higher that meets the Minimum Guidelines and Scope of Practice for a WFR
During the Rock Instructor Exam you will be examined on climbs through Grade III and up to 5.10a/A0. You will learn or refine your skills in risk-management, industry standards, route finding, technical skills, terrain assessment, rescue scenarios, and client care.
This is the entry-level course for the Rock Guide and Alpine Guide programs and the Rock Instructor Certification. The Rock Guide Course (RGC) was designed for aspiring guides who have a strong rock climbing background and for instructors who are interested in improving their skills and increasing knowledge. The RGC trains aspiring guides on routes up to Grade III and 5.9 while emphasizing risk management and client rewards. You are expected to arrive with a strong recreational climbing background with an acquired knowledge of knots, belaying, anchors, protection strategies, and climbing systems. It is assumed that you can lead the climbs listed on the submitted resume and that you are physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for a week of outdoor activity. The RGC includes indoor and outdoor classroom time, practice sessions, and climbing on a variety of rock routes. Recreational climbing skills and judgment are screened as part of the daily activities. The course is designed to introduce some of the recommended methods common to rock guiding through sessions and practical application. The goals of the six-day Rock Instructor Exam (RIE) are to assess and certify rock-climbing instructors who demonstrate a high level of expertise consistent with the standards introduced in the 10-day Rock Guide Course and to further the general education of the students. During the exam you are expected to carry out guiding assignments given by the examiners. You serve as guides to the examiners and to the other participants on routes chosen for their complex guiding challenges. While acting as the guide, you are responsible for route planning, client orientation, risk management, and normal guiding practices. Route assignments and client profiles are usually given the night before. You are responsible for obtaining information about the assigned route as well as alternative routes if the original objective proves infeasible. During the RIE you will be examined on climbs through Grade III and up to 5.10a/A0. While these routes are multi-pitch, they are relatively straightforward and may not involve complex approaches and/or descents. Time factors, while important, are not as pressing on these routes. A strong emphasis is placed on risk management while maximizing client rewards.Rock Guide Course
Prerequisites:
Format:
Rock Instructor Exam
Prerequisites:
Format:
Expectations:
Assessment Areas:
Rock Instructor Programs Schedule
- For the complete AMGA Course Schedule, click here
- LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MULTI-PITCH INSTRUCTOR COURSE & EXAM
| Program Type | Code | Location | State | Dates | Tuition | Status | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Guide Course | R8 RGC 21 (A) | Boulder | Colorado | 6/8/21 - 6/17/21 | $2,950.00 | Waitlist | Waitlist |
| Rock Guide Course | R8 RGC 21 (B) | Boulder | Colorado | 6/8/21 - 6/17/21 | $2,950.00 | Waitlist | Waitlist |
| Rock Guide Course | R22 RGC 21 (A) | Boulder | Colorado | 10/5/21 - 10/14/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R22 RGC 21 (B) | Boulder | Colorado | 10/5/21 - 10/14/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R11 *WMNS* RGC 21 | Boulder | Colorado | 9/14/21 - 9/23/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R16 *WMNS* RGC 21 | Boulder | Colorado | 9/28/21 - 10/7/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R12 RGC 21 | North Conway | New Hampshire | 9/14/21 - 9/23/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R14 * RGC 21 (A) | Boulder | Colorado | 9/21/21 - 9/28/21 | $3,700.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R14 * RGC 21 (B) | Boulder | Colorado | 9/21/21 - 9/28/21 | $3,700.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R27 RGC 21 (A) | Joshua Tree | California | 11/2/21 - 11/11/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R27 RGC 21 (B) | Joshua Tree | California | 11/2/21 - 11/11/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R17 RGC 21 | Seneca Rocks | West Virginia | 9/28/21 - 10/7/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R18 *Veterans* RGC 21 | Leavenworth | Washington | 9/28/21 - 10/7/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R24 RGC 21 (A) | Smith Rock | Oregon | 10/12/21 - 10/21/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R24 RGC 21 (B) | Smith Rock | Oregon | 10/12/21 - 10/21/21 | $2,950.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R28 *RGC 21 (A) | Red Rock NCA | Nevada | 11/4/21 - 11/11/21 | $3,700.00 | Open | Apply |
| Rock Guide Course | R28 *RGC 21 (B) | Red Rock NCA | Nevada | 11/4/21 - 11/11/21 | $3,700.00 | Open | Apply |
| Multi-Pitch Instructor Course/Exam | R9 MPIC 21 | Boulder | Colorado | 6/22/21 - 6/29/21 | $2,800.00 | Open | Apply |
| Multi-Pitch Instructor Course/Exam | R19 MPIC 21 | North Conway | New Hampshire | 9/29/21 - 10/6/21 | $2,800.00 | Open | Apply |
Weather and condition dependent, this program may also utilize Lumpy Ridge in Estes Park, Colorado.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 6 students
Weather and condition dependent, this program may also utilize Lumpy Ridge in Estes Park, Colorado.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 6 students
Weather and condition dependent, this program may also utilize Lumpy Ridge in Estes Park, Colorado.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 6 students
Weather and condition dependent, this program may also utilize Lumpy Ridge in Estes Park, Colorado.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 6 students
AMGA Women's Rock Guide Course | Sponsored by The North Face
The AMGA Women's Rock Guide Course | Sponsored by The North Face, is the first RGC at the AMGA specifically for women, taught by all women members of the AMGA Instructor Team. Scholarship assistance ($2000.00 per student) is available. Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses (beyond the scholarship for tuition).
In addition to the standard application materials, applicants to this program need to complete a scholarship application by the application deadline of March 8. More information can be found at https://amga.com/womens-rock-tnf/.
Please click here for all the details about this unique opportunity.
Please contact Jesse Littleton, AMGA Guide Program Manager, ([email protected] 303-271-0984) for assistance.
AMGA Women's Rock Guide Course | Sponsored by The North Face
The AMGA Women's Rock Guide Course | Sponsored by The North Face, is the first RGC at the AMGA specifically for women, taught by all women members of the AMGA Instructor Team. Scholarship assistance ($2000.00 per student) is available. Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses (beyond the scholarship for tuition).
In addition to the standard application materials, applicants to this program need to complete a scholarship application by the application deadline of March 8. More information can be found at https://amga.com/womens-rock-tnf/.
Please click here for all the details about this unique opportunity.
Please contact Jesse Littleton, AMGA Guide Program Manager, ([email protected] 303-271-0984) for assistance.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to instructor ratio; max 6 students
This is a 2:1 student to instructor ratioed program and is 8 days rather than 10.
Weather and condition dependent, this program may also utilize Lumpy Ridge in Estes Park, Colorado.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Student Karen Hilton works her way up the Bastille Crack in Eldorado Canyon during the 2016 RGC in Boulder. Photo by student Brandon Phillips.
This is a 2:1 student to instructor ratioed program and is 8 days rather than 10.
Weather and condition dependent, this program may also utilize Lumpy Ridge in Estes Park, Colorado.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Student Karen Hilton works her way up the Bastille Crack in Eldorado Canyon during the 2016 RGC in Boulder. Photo by student Brandon Phillips.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 6 students
Student Kate McHugh leading Western Saga during the 2016 RGC in Joshua Tree. Photo by Azissa Singh.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 6 students
Student Kate McHugh leading Western Saga during the 2016 RGC in Joshua Tree. Photo by Azissa Singh.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 6 students.
Students Arthur and Diane leading with Instructor Angela Hawse below. Photo by Instructor Alain Comeau.
This program is only open to VETERANS of the US Military who wish to use their GI Bill funds to pay for the course. This course is run through the American Alpine Institute (an AMGA accredited business), who are accredited and approved to accept GI Bill funding.
In order to participate on this Alpine Guide Course, you must:
2) Apply to the program, pay the non-refundable $65.00 application fee, and submit all of the required application materials (resume, WFR/CPR, and AMGA approved avalanche training certs) to show that you meet the prerequisites for the AGC
4) Once your materials have been reviewed, you will be eligible to become enrolled in the course if space is available (like all AMGA programs, entrance is competitive and we may receive more applications than we have spaces available - meeting the prerequisites is not a guarantee of enrollment, please review the process for application review here)
5) If accepted into the program, you will be sent a document describing how to complete the enrollment process and use your VA benefits to pay for the program. You cannot be officially enrolled until you have completed the VA Benefits Survey and Enrollment Agreement through the American Alpine Institute.
If you have any questions about this course, the application review/enrollment process, how to use your VA benefits, or anything else related to this program, please contact Jesse Littleton ([email protected]).
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 6 students.
A student leads the way during the 2016 RGC at Smith Rock. Photo by Instructor Pete Keane.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
3:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 6 students.
A student leads the way during the 2016 RGC at Smith Rock. Photo by Instructor Pete Keane.
This is a 2:1 student to instructor ratio program and 8 days rather than 10; max 4 students.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted.
AMGA’s COVID-19 Operating Plan is updated periodically and as needed due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It will be updated to include winter programming specifics soon.
-
AMGA has extended our relaxed cancellation policy through winter 2020-2021
-
It is strongly recommended that you purchase Trip Insurance to protect your tuition investment and other associated costs with your program.
This is a 2:1 student to instructor ratio program and 8 days rather than 10; max 4 students.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted.
AMGA’s COVID-19 Operating Plan is updated periodically and as needed due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It will be updated to include winter programming specifics soon.
-
AMGA has extended our relaxed cancellation policy through winter 2020-2021
-
It is strongly recommended that you purchase Trip Insurance to protect your tuition investment and other associated costs with your program.
Weather and condition dependent, this program may also utilize Lumpy Ridge in Estes Park, Colorado.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
2:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 4 students
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
2:1 student to Instructor ratio; max 4 students
