PA's Practitioner Certification program has been designed to meet the needs of the many individuals and programs that have requested certification. There are three different levels of certification available. As the Adventure field has grown, the use of challenge courses and related programming has gained wide acceptance and popularity. The applications of an Adventure approach are well integrated into many different settings from camps and schools to therapeutic agencies and corporate trainings to name only a few.

Determining acceptable or recommended levels of training for a particular program can be very challenging.

• How much training is considered reasonable or necessary?
• What are the recognized core competencies that must be attained?
• What additional training might be necessary for an individual who is responsible for managing a program?

PA's Practitioner Certification has been designed to help answer some of these important questions. We recognize that the need for certification will vary with the individual and the program. For this reason, we are offering three levels of certification, which are described below. We also understand that certification alone does not address every safety and quality issue. However, properly applied, certification can be very helpful in promoting safety, quality, and good professional practice.

Level 1 - Challenge Course Technician

Certification at this level will be offered to individuals who have completed 7 days or 70 hours of training and have demonstrated competence in basic program knowledge and technical skills. This level is designed for individuals who operate standard introductory activities, low challenge course activities and initiatives, and standard high challenge course activities. Candidates must be able to document a minimum of 25 program days of experience and successfully complete a written and practical test to demonstrate the required competencies.

Level 2 - Challenge Course Facilitator

This level of certification requires additional training as well as broader program knowledge, theoretical understanding, and technical skills. In addition to the competencies of Level 1, Level 2 certification requires training in challenge course rescue procedures, the ability to safely operate climbing towers, and other more complex high challenge course activities. Candidates at this level are required to document: 11 days or 110 hours of training, a minimum of 100 days of program experience, and must pass a written and practical test.

Level 3 - Challenge Course Manager

This certification is designed for program directors, course managers and others who have program management responsibilities. Candidates must have completed and hold current Level 2 certification to be eligible for Level 3. Prior completion of Adventure Program Management: Critical Knowledge for the Challenge Course Manager (formerly Developing and Maintaining Program Excellence) is also required, and candidates must be able to document a minimum of 200 Program Days of Experience.

Please note:

Certification testing is not a traditional Project Adventure workshop. There is no review or teaching component included, therefore, professional development credit (PDPs, CEUs, Graduate Credit) is not available. Participants are expected to come prepared for written and practical tests. Interested candidates must complete an application that documents prior training and programming history, which will be used to determine admission to the program.