AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course and Assessment in the Gunks
The AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Program (SPI) is the only nationally and internationally recognized single-pitch climbing instructor certification program. The SPI Program teaches climbing instructors to proficiently facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a single pitch setting. This course has been created to fit within the AMGA Rock Discipline training program.
- It significantly improves the instructor’s skill sets and integrates into the next level of training, the AMGA Rock Guide Course.
- The program is for current, active rock climbers who want to teach rock climbing to novices in a single-pitch setting.
- The SPI Course is a 27-hour training course that usually runs as three consecutive nine-hour days or day classes with evening sessions.
- The SPI Assessment is a minimum of 16 hours run over two days.
- SPI certification lasts for three years as long as the candidate maintains a current AMGA Membership and First Aid Certification.
- After three years, current SPIs can retake the SPI Assessment to regain their SPI certification.
- Taking any higher level AMGA Course also recertifies the SPI certification for another three years.
How to Sign Up & Important Info
To sign up for any AMGA Course or Assessment in the Gunks, you must become a member of the AMGA (Professional Level) and register for the course you would like on the AMGA website.
- In addition, you MUST also fill out the Mountain Skills online registration form.
- Afterward, select either the SPI Course or SPI Exam and make a payment to reserve your spot.
- The AMGA SPI Course is $650, and the Exam is $475.
- Price includes Mohonk Preserve/Minnewaska Day Pass fees.
- The cancellation policy for SPI courses or exams is 30 days.
Upcoming SPI Course/Assessment Dates
2025 AMGA SPI Courses – $650
- April 4th-6th
- May 2nd-4th
- June 6th-8th
- July 11th-13th
- August 1st-3rd
- September 5th-7th
- October 3rd-5th
- November 7th-9th
- December 5th-7th
2025 AMGA SPI Assessments – $475
- April 24th-25th
- May 28th-29th
- September 24th-25th
Interested in an AMGA Affinity Program? CLICK HERE
AMGA SPI Course
Prerequisites:
- You have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags.
- You are at least 18 years old at the time of the course.
- You have at least 12 months prior climbing experience.
- You are an active climber with traditional lead climbing experience (leader placing pro).
- You have led a minimum of 15 traditional rock climbing routes (any grade).
- You are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.
NOTE: The above prerequisites are absolute minimums. Without having at least this amount experience you are unlikely to make best use of the training.
AMGA SPI Assessment
Prerequisites:
- You are a current member of the AMGA.
- You have successfully completed an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course.
- You have led a minimum of 40 traditional routes, most of which should be 5.6 and on a variety of rock types.
- You are able to comfortably lead 5.6 traditional routes, which means you place protection.
- You are able to comfortably climb 5.8 on top rope.
- The SPI Assessment can be taken directly following the SPI Course if the candidate successfully completed the course and meets the assessment prerequisites. However, it is highly recommended that the SPI Course candidate take time practicing and consolidating the skills learned on the course before assessment (6-12 months).
- You do not need First Aid training to take the course or assessment. However, it is your responsibility to hold appropriate medical certification for the location that you are working in.