All 9 divisions of PSIA/AASI have requirements for ongoing education. Education credits are intended to increase member’s proficiency and competence, while maintaining a high level of professionalism throughout our association. The Western Division requirement is 12 education credits (2 days) every two years or 6 education credits (1 day) each year. Education Events are posted on our Event Calendar every fall.
Western Division Education Credit Policy :
- All active, certified, (or registered and certified) members must take at least 1 education event every year or 2 education events every two years. Level I Certified members have one year from the date of their certification to complete their education requirements.
- You can check the status of your education credits online at the National Data Base. You will need your member number to access this information. Go to http://www.thesnowpros.org.
- One-day education events are worth 6 credits. Multi-day events are worth 12 credits.
- Education Events consist of clinics, conventions, academies, tech team trainings, fall rally in any of the 9 PSIA/AASI divisions. Ski/Ride exams/Modules DO count as Education Events.
- All Education Credits are valid for 2 years from the date of completion. Taking more than (2) credits (or 2 events) in one season does not extend the Education Event expiration date. For example if you take (4) 1-day events in one calendar year, these credits will expire two years from the date completed.
- Generally Education Credits are posted to your account within a week, however during busy periods this may take longer. If you credit does not show up after 30 days contact the division office to see if there is a problem with your account.
- We welcome your feedback and suggestions for education events. Our commitment to our members is to make every effort possible to insure that the education events and clinics are a valuable experience
NON-PSIA/AASI-W EDUCATION CREDIT PROGRAM INFORMATION
If you are unable to attend a PSIA/AASI education event – you can complete an application that will be reviewed by the Western Education Committee chair person. This form is for PSIA/AASI-W members who want education credit for attending NON-PSIA/AASI education events. This is available for current certified Level I, II and III members. Forms must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event.
Education Event Request Form
PSIA/AASI-W education credit for attending NON-PSIA/AASI education events is available for current certified Level I, II and III members. This program was designed to provide an orderly process for obtaining continuing education credits for participating in events outside PSIA/AASI-W, PSIA/AASI NATIONAL, or other PSIA/AASI divisions. The types of events that could be considered for credit are: USSCA coaches clinics, ski racing camps, sports training education classes, Interski events, group leadership training classes, etc. The training must be an official formal education program offered to the public by an educational organization such as a college, association, company, etc. that normally provides training courses.
Here is a list of just a few of the organizations and courses that would be acceptable to PSIA/AASI — W. for educational credit.
These organizations offer courses on backcountry guiding, teaching and avalanche education
- North American Ski Training Center. NASTC
- Alpine Skills International. ASI.
- American Mountain Guides Association. AMGA.
- American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education. AIARE.
- Expedition Kirkwood.
These organizations offer coaches certification and educational courses, including:
- United States Ski and Snowboard Association. USSA.
- Canadian Ski Coaches Federation. CSCF.
- American Sport Education Program ASEP.
These organizations offer certification and education courses and clinics for ski and snowboard instructors.
- sports physiology.
- Sports psychology.
- Teaching sports skills.
- Coaching children.
- Sports safety and first aid.
These organizations offer certification and education courses and clinics for ski and snowboard instructors
- Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance. CSIA
- Other national ski and snowboard organizations.
These organizations offer adaptive educational and training courses to snow sports instructors.
-
Disabled Sports U.S.A . DSUSA
- Paralyzed Veterans of America. PVA
- Special Olympics
This organization offers courses on avalanche control, first aid and rescue.
- National Ski Patrol. NSP
This is a very partial list of organizations and courses that may qualify for education credit. PSIA-Western has no control or responsibility for the course content, curriculum and safety practices used by these or other organizations in any of the courses you may take. There are many other organizations other than the ones on this list that offer courses that may qualify for education credit with PSIA/AASI-W. All requests for education credit will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Informal and/or private training such as conventional ski lessons and ski school clinics do not meet this requirement even if the group leader is highly qualified, e.g. certification examiner, D-Team member, etc.
A member should submit a PSIA Education Event Credit Request form to the PSIA-W office and the Western Education Committee Chair person at least 30 days before the event to obtain advance approval to participate in the event for PSIA/AASI-W education credit.
Printed material (e.g. flyer, brochure, etc.) provided by the educational organization that describes the program and gives information concerning the dates the program is offered, program fees, etc., must also be provided.
After participating in the education event, the member must return a documentation signed by an official of the sponsoring organization to the PSIA-W office in order to receive PSIA-W education credit for the current season and the following season.
Credit for participation in NON-PSIA/AASI-W education events is determined by the Western Division Education Committee Chair. A one-day event counts as (1) credit for the current season. A two-day or more event will provide (2) education credits.