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SPI Provider Program

SPI Provider Program

Become an SPI Provider

About

Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Providers are a vital component of the AMGA. Based throughout the country, SPI Providers teach AMGA SPI Courses and facilitate SPI Exams.

As representatives of the AMGA and providers of the SPI curriculum, we look for:

  • Dedicated educators with comprehensive teaching and/or mentoring experience 
  • Capacity for group facilitation and commitment to helping students succeed 
  • Expertise with technical climbing systemsThe ability to articulate written and verbal feedback
  • Commitment to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments
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The process of becoming a Provider is a partnership between the applicant and the AMGA—the training program is taught and facilitated by the AMGA. The course and assessment occur concurrently and takes place over 5 days.

Upon graduating the provider program, SPI Providers are not employees of the AMGA, but rather endorsed by the AMGA to offer SPI programs through approved host providers. Host providers are the guide services or program outfits that hold the commercial liability and necessary land use or special use permits for the operation. Tuition is collected by the host provider and annual dues are paid to the AMGA along with a per student licensing fee per program. Providers are compensated by the host provider.

Steps to Become an SPI Provider:

  1. Apply to the 5-day Provider Training Course and Exam (See prerequisites and How to Apply information below).
  2. Participate in Provider Training Course & Exam – Candidates who pass become a Provisional Provider (teaching SPI Courses at the 6:1 student to provider ratio).
  3. Teach or co-teach a minimum of 4+ SPI Courses within 2 years to meet the teaching requirements. This, combined with performance standards expected of AMGA SPI Providers will make candidates eligible to apply to the Provider Exam.
  4. Apply for the 3-day Provider Final Exam – Candidates who pass will then be approved to teach SPI Courses, facilitate SPI Exams & administer SPI Certifications at the 6:1 student to provider ratio.

Program Overview

01
SPI Provider Training Course and Exam
5
Days
02
SPI Provider Exam
Approved to teach SPI Courses
03
SPI Provider Exam
3
Days
SPI Provider
CWI Provider
Approved to teach CWI Courses and facilitate CWI Exams
Approved to teach SPI Courses and facilitate SPI Exams

Program Details

SPI Provider Training Course and Exam
Description

This demanding 5-day training program hosts long days with a mix of lecture-style and hands-on sessions. This course is for new providers starting the process of becoming an SPI Provider.

A minimum score is needed to pass this program which has a rolling assessment format ongoing with performance scores averaged through the program. There is no standalone exam, but ongoing education and evaluation each day using the current SPI evaluation rubric. Candidates who do not pass must reapply and participate in the program again - there are no make-up opportunities available.

Candidates will alternate between provider and student roles, with performance evaluated across two key focus areas:

  1. Delivery of content both teaching and demonstrating curriculum sessions
  2. Facilitating guided practice and managing risk of students conducting the skills


We are looking for candidates to demonstrate mastery of all SPI skills and curriculum with capacity for group facilitation. We expect to see the ability to step into the provider role and teach “how to teach” each SPI curriculum topic, rather than simply teaching the skill as you would to a novice. Your ability to discuss “why” you are doing certain things while demonstrating will be evaluated. A strong command of verbal and written feedback will be required. Please plan to give and receive positive and constructive feedback on the spot in the group setting. We are looking for candidates to be able to provide exceptional educational experiences, while acting as a mentor for other climbing professionals.

Once accepted, prepare for the program:

  • Complete pre program assignments and e-learning tasks
  • Plan to create SPI Course itineraries relevant to your location
  • Develop lesson plans for each of the 19 curriculum sessions listed in the program handbook
  • There is a heavy emphasis on lesson planning and delivery. Once accepted to the program, consider shadowing an SPI Course if you have limited context and experience with the program
  • Practice presentation of your lessons prior to the program
  • Come prepared to instruct fellow guides and manage large group risk exposure
  • This program has a 75% pass rate
  • Risk management and instructional technique are two of the main deficit areas for candidates
Prerequisites
  • Minimum training level required: 
    • AMGA Rock Guide, AMGA Multi-Pitch Instructor, or AMGA Rock Instructor
  • Minimum instructing experience:
    • 150 days instructing rock climbing
    • Document at least 50 of these days in the resume template
  • Experience in group management, experiential education, and staff training is preferred
  • Able to onsight lead 5.9 traditional climbs at the time of the training course 
  • Current AMGA Member
  • Current CPR Certification and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification or higher
  • SPI Providers are required to be in compliance with AMGA Scope of Practice


How to Apply:

Applications will be considered complete by submitting the following items via the application portal prior to the application deadline:

  1. Essay Questions: Answer 5 out of the 6, limit 250-500 words per question
    • What will make you an effective provider and what elevates you above other candidates?
    • What would you bring that would be valuable to the Climbing Instructor Program?
    • How do you provide an atmosphere that makes you approachable for instructors both professionally and personally?
    • Share a time when you received tough feedback from a supervisor or boss?
    • Describe key elements related to facilitating effective one-on-one feedback, and debriefs on a program.
    • Provide a written example of feedback telling a student they did not pass their movement.
  2. Professional Resume:
    • Candidate MUST include the number of days instructing at each job and number of days guiding at each job.
  3. Climbing instruction and teaching resume:
    • Applicants must use the resume-template provided by the AMGA
    • Document 10 - 5.9 (or harder) traditional climbs within the past year
    • Document minimum 50 days of rock climbing instruction
    • Optional - Applicants may document more than 50 days if they exceed the minimum documentation requirements
  4. Example Lesson Plan:
    • Choose an SPI Course curriculum session from the SPI Program Handbook
    • Refer to the lesson plan section and use the template on pages 20-21 in the Falcon Guide Rock Climbing: The AMGA Single Pitch Manual
    • You may be expected to teach this session during the program
    • If accepted to the program, you will be expected to create lesson plans for all 19 SPI curriculum sessions outlined in the SPI Program Handbook prior to the program start.
  5. Ensure your myAMGA account information is up to date:
    • Upload current certification forms for WFR and CPR
    • Fill out or update your AMGA Health Statement including emergency contact
    • Update your Basic Information including apparel sizes and Public Profile information including current contact information
  6. $75 non-refundable application fee

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SPI Provider Exam
Description

This program is for provisional providers who have passed the initial SPI Provider Training Course/Exam and have taught or co-taught at least 4 SPI Courses. This is the final step in becoming an SPI Provider.

This demanding 3 day program hosts long days with a mix of lecture style and hands-on teaching sessions. The assessment process will be ongoing and we aim to average your performance through the program. This program aims to foster the development of SPI Provider’s ability to create an environment that minimizes unnecessary exam stress and brings out the best in SPI candidates.

Provider candidates have already demonstrated competency with the SPI Course curriculum, format, and evaluation writing. This program specifically focuses on elements of the SPI Exam, including but not be limited to: 

  • Risk management strategies for facilitating SPI Exams at the 6:1 maximum ratio
  • Exam format and itinerary facilitation strategies and styles
  • Defining the SPI certification “standard” and preferred styles within the curriculum
  • Written and verbal feedback delivery, including evaluation writing and scoring
  • Pre and post program communication - welcome emails, opening and closing orientation topics and facilitation techniques
  • Strategies for coaching SPI Exam candidates vs. risk management intervention

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Prerequisites
  • Has passed the 5 day Provider Training Course and exam
  • Once the Provisional Provider (graduate of the training course and exam) has taught, or co-taught a minimum of 4 SPI Courses within a 2 year timeframe, they will meet the teaching requirement for applying to the 3 day Provider Assessment. 
  • Upon completion of the 4th course the provider has 1 year to apply to the Provider Training Assessment.
  • If the Provisional Provider fails to meet this teaching requirement in the two year time frame they will lose their Provisional Provider status and be required to re-apply to and pass the 5 day Provider training program.
  • Able to onsight lead 5.9 traditional climbs at the time of the training course
  • Current AMGA Member
  • Current CPR Certification and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification or higher
  • SPI Providers are required to be in compliance with AMGA Scope of Practice

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SPI Provider Exam Application Instructions:

Applications will be considered complete by submitting the following items via the application portal prior to the application deadline:

  1. Essay Questions: answer ALL essay questions limit 250-500 words per question:
    • What are the tools and techniques used to manage risk in a scenario where:
    • You have candidates lead climbing
    • You have candidates working with volunteer clients
    • What are two ways you can best prepare a student for their assessment during their course?
    • What are your top 3 elements that make up an effective SPI Exam orientation on the morning of day 1?
    • You have a candidate whose score was substandard on day 1 of the exam and will be very hard to rebound from on day 2. How do you handle this situation? Describe a few techniques that might help this student along with learning even if it may be hard for them to pass?
  2. Lesson Plan
    • Submit a lesson plan you have developed throughout the process of teaching SPI Courses. A lesson plan that you are most proud of and includes written notes about how it has evolved over time as they taught the topic. Notes section limited to 250 words.
  3. Minimum SPI Course Experience
    • Submit a list of courses you have taught or co-taught. A minimum of 4 SPI Courses are required to qualify for the Provider Exam. Include the following:
      • Program dates, location, number of students, and co-provider if applicable
      • Provide a description of each program within 200 words 
        • Include notable outcomes, challenges, specific weather or venue impacts, and any accidents or near misses. 
  4. Conditional Enrollment Consideration:
    • If you have not completed the required 4 course minimum prior to the application deadline, you may be eligible for a conditional enrollment.
    • Follow the necessary application instructions and share your plan and outline how you intend to complete the missing requirements. 
    • If you are accepted under a conditional enrollment, you will be required to complete the requirements prior to the start date of the SPI Provider Exam. Priority enrollment is reserved to people who meet the prerequisite at the time of the application deadline.

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SPI Provider Program

Contact the AMGA national office to apply to our Provider Programs.

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