Choose a membership
Welcome to the Professional Climbing Instructors' Association!
When you become a member, you receive a quarterly e-newsletter, regional and national opportunities for continuing education and training discounts for members.
As a membership-based organization we require the support of an active membership to function. Your contributions do make a difference! The PCIA is a non-profit organization chartered in Colorado, with IRS 501c 3 status.
PCIA Membership Levels
A general membership is open to anyone who has an interest in climbing instruction.
Benefits include:
• access to PCIA outdoor climbing instructor courses
• subscription to PCIA e-newsletter – On Belay.
• discount on PCIA continuing education clinics
• discount at PCIA educational library
• twice a year 25% discount from AlpenglowGear.com
• access to educational resources to prepare for course
• supporting the advancement of climbing education
Annual Fee - $50.00
The youth membership is for individuals less than 18 years old. It was established to foster professional involvement by young climbers, particularly those who work in climbing centers.
Benefits include:
• access to PCIA outdoor climbing instructor courses
• subscription to PCIA e-newsletter – On Belay.
• discount on PCIA continuing education programs
• discount at PCIA educational library
• twice a year access to 25% gear discount from AlpenglowGear.com
• access to educational resources to prepare for course
• supporting the advancement of climbing education
Annual Fee - $25.00
PCIA Certified Member
There are levels of certification attainable through the PCIA. Any current member who passes a certification exam is granted PCIA Certified Member status at the appropriate level.
PCIA Certified Climbing Wall Instructor
PCIA Certified Base Managed & Certified Top Rope Climbing Instructor
PCIA Certified Single Pitch Climbing Instructor
PCIA Certified Lead Climbing Instructor
Benefits of PCIA Certified Membership Level
• All benefits of general membership
• 30% discount at all times through AlpenglowGear.com
• Professional purchase discounts from vendor members including Black Diamond Equipment, Nemo Tents, Osprey Packs, Mad Rock, Outdoor Prolink (professional purchase clearing house for over 50 brands including LaSportiva, Trango, Omega Pacific, Big Agnes, Adventure Medical Kits, Mountainsmith, Outdoor Research, Rab, Gregory, MSR, Cascade Designs, Scarpa, Sterling Ropes, Thermarest, Cloudveil, Mountain Khakis to name a few), with more vendors joining PCIA in 2010!
• Access to regulated lands (CTRCI and CSPCI) on par with certification level
• Able to use appropriate PCIA logo for marketing support
• Marketing support from PCIA
• Option to create mini-website within PCIA.US.org
• PCIA link to member site on PCIA.US.org
Annual Fee: $50.00.
The PCIA seeks instructor trainers who are passionate about teaching climbing. We seek individuals who are motivated to share their climbing knowledge, are highly experienced climbers, and who have the time and desire to be active participants in the evolution of climbing education. Admission into the instructor trainer program is by application and is governed by PCIA's Education Committee.
If you have not yet applied but are an expert in a field of climbing instruction we would love to hear from you. Please download the attached application and return it to us via mail or email.
Annual Fee: $125.00
Supporting Partners
Supporting Partners are individuals, organizations, or corporations who believe in the PCIA mission and want to contribute to climbing education.
Accredited members must become accredited first, and then maintain an accredited-level membership each year
Bronze and Silver Partnerships are primarily for individuals, climbing schools, climbing gyms, small retailers, universities, and non-profit organizations.
Gold, Platinum, and Diamond partners are major donors such as manufacturers, large retailers, and interested individuals.
- Individual Partner - $100.00 - $199.00
- Bronze Partner $200.00 – 499.00
- Silver Partner $500.00 – 999.00
- Gold Partner $1000.00 – 4999.00
- Platinum Partner $5000.00 – 9999.00
- Diamond Partner $10,000.00
Each supporting partner receives the following benefits
• Access to PCIA outdoor climbing instructor courses (individuals only)
• Subscription to PCIA e-newsletter – On Belay.
• Discount on PCIA continuing education programs
• Discount at PCIA educational library
• 30% discount from AlpenglowGear.com (individuals only)
• Access to educational resources to prepare for course
• Recognition with a listing and a link if desired on PciaPro.org
• Access to PCIA organizational best practices manual
• Able to post job openings on PCIA.US.org job site
• Opportunities to market to PCIA membership via PCIA's website, newsletters and contact list
• Supporting the advancement of climbing education
In addition - Gold, Platinum and Diamond partners are recognized in each edition of the e-newsletter ( On Belay ) and featured on PCIA.US.org
Accredited Membership
Accredited Partner $100/year plus initial, one time accreditation fees listed below:
Organization with 1 – 5 instructing staff (leaders and assistants) $400.00
Organization with 6 – 10 instructing staff (leaders and assistants) $800.00
Organization with >10 instructing staff (leaders and assistants) $1200.00