Master the Art of Climbing Instruction with AMGA Certification

The AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Program is designed for climbers who want to become professional climbing instructors for single-pitch outdoor climbing. This program is ideal for:

• Outdoor educators and guides
• Climbing gym instructors looking to transition to outdoor instruction
• Scout leaders, camp staff, and school group leaders
• Experienced climbers who want to teach professionally

The SPI certification is the industry standard for single-pitch guiding and is recognized nationwide.

SPI Course (3-day training):

To enroll in the SPI Course, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of the course
• Have at least 12 months of prior outdoor climbing experience
• Be an active climber with experience in traditional lead climbing and anchor building
• Have led a minimum of 15 outdoor rock climbing routes (any grade) — single-pitch traditional climbs with anchor building are preferred
• Be capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 on top rope

SPI Exam (2-day assessment):

To take the SPI Exam, you must:

• Have successfully completed an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course within the past 2 years (or hold a valid SPI certification if renewing, up to 1 year past expiration
• Have led a minimum of 40 outdoor rock climbing routes, with a variety of rock types and styles. A significant number should be 5.6 or harder.
• Be capable of comfortably lead climbing 5.6 traditional routes (placing your own protection)
• Be capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 on top rope

Additional Notes:

• You may take the SPI Exam immediately after the course if you meet the prerequisites. However, most successful candidates spend 3–6 months practicing the skills learned before attempting the exam.
• First Aid training is not required to take the course or exam. However, to hold a valid SPI certification, you must maintain an appropriate medical certification for the area in which you will work.
• AMGA membership is not required to enroll in the course or exam, but it is required to hold and maintain your SPI certification.

If you’re unsure whether you meet the prerequisites, reach out to us — we’re happy to help you assess your experience level before enrolling.

The SPI Course provides the technical and teaching skills needed to safely instruct single-pitch climbing. Topics covered include:

• Anchor building and site management for instruction
• Belay systems and rescue techniques
• Teaching climbing techniques to students
• Risk management and professionalism in guiding
• Rappelling and lowering systems

This course prepares you for the SPI Assessment, which evaluates your ability to lead and teach in a professional setting.

• The SPI Course is a three-day training program that covers instructional techniques, risk management, and technical skills. It is a prerequisite for the assessment but does not grant certification on its own.
• The SPI Assessment is a two-day evaluation where participants must demonstrate proficiency in the required skills. Passing the assessment earns you AMGA SPI certification.

We recommend gaining additional experience after the course before taking the assessment to improve your chances of success.

To get the most out of the SPI program, we recommend:

• Practicing lead climbing on traditional routes (5.6 and above)
• Improving your anchor-building skills with a focus on multipoint systems
• Reviewing self-rescue techniques and rope management
• Gaining experience teaching or coaching climbing
• Taking a pre-course refresher if you need to brush up on technical skills

Our instructors can provide training recommendations to help you feel confident before your course or assessment.

Rock-About Climbing Adventures hosts SPI programs at Scottsdale, AZ and Enchanted Rock, TX on select dates throughout the year. Upcoming dates include November 2025, December 2025, and early 2026.

There is a 2 week cancellation policy for the SPI Program. If you cancel within 2 weeks of your program you will not receive a refund. Keep in mind the space on these courses is limited, so you are holding a space that someone else could sign up for. Thank you for understanding.