After participating in an official formal education program offered to the public by an educational organization such as a college, association, or company that normally provides training courses, a member can apply for PSIA-AASI CEU’s by submitting the below form to the Western division office and attaching:

1 – Documentation of course completion signed by an official of the sponsoring organization.

2 – Printed material (e.g. flyer, brochure, web link) provided by the educational organization that describes the program and gives information concerning the dates the program is offered, program fees, program hours, etc.

Once submitted and approved by the Western Deputy Director, you will be emailed an invoice for payment of $10/CEU* with a max of 12-CEU’s every three membership years. (1 CEU = 1 hour of education). Once payment is received, education credit(s) will be applied to your member account effective the date the course was taken.

The types of events that could be considered for credit are:

  • USSA coaches clinics
  • Ski racing camps
  • Sports training education classes
  • Interski events
  • Group leadership training classes

The organizations and courses that would be acceptable to PSIA-AASI-W for educational credit are:

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

Coaches certification and educational courses:

  • United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA)
  • Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF)
  • American Sport Education Program (ASEP)

Certification and education courses and clinics for snow sports instructors:

  • Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA)
  • Snow Sports Development Inc, mysnowcoach.com
  • Other national ski and snowboard organizations

Adaptive educational and training courses to snow sports instructors:

  • Disabled Sports U.S.A. (DSUSA)
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
  • Special Olympics

Avalanche control, first aid and rescue:

  • National Ski Patrol (NSP)

Non-Snow Sport Certification Organizations:

  • International Mountain Bike of Canada (IMBA)
  • Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association (PMBIA)
  • Raft California – Guide School
  • Skate Instructors Association (SkateIA)
  • United States Skateboard Education Association (USSEA)

Other types of education courses and clinics for ski and snowboard instructors that may be considered:

  • Sports physiology
  • Teaching sports skills
  • Coaching children
  • Sports safety and first aid

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, etc.

PSIA-AASI Western division has no control or responsibility for the course content, curriculum and safety practices used by these or other organizations.  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, Ed Staff member, etc.

Course/event must be instructional/developmental

The goal of the course or event needs to be the personal and/or professional development of the member. The event cannot simply require attendance, but must require participation by the member and feedback from the organization.

Instructors must be certified.

The staff administering the course must be certified by a recognized organizing body, such as PMBIA, AMGA etc.

The course must have clearly defined curriculum and outcomes.

The organization putting on the event should have a published curriculum with clear objectives and desired outcomes.  

In order to qualify for CEU credit, the member must submit a description of their participation in the event.  This description must also describe how their participation in the event contributes to their development as a snowsports instructor.