The requirements for all levels of certification are based on the Snowboard Teaching System (STS) and are found in the latest version of the AASI National Standards.
The Level III certification process in AASI NRM involves the following criteria:
- You must be a current certified Level II Snowboard member of AASI NRM or other region. If you are a member of another region, you must seek permission from your home region before participating in the event.
- Complete and pass the online Level III Professional Knowledge exam with a minimum score of 83% per section at least 48 hours prior to your prep clinic.
- Attend and participate in a three-day Level III Preparation Clinic
- Pass all the Level III on-snow assessment modules
- You must complete and pass the online Level III written exam with a minimum score of 83% on each module at least 48 hours prior to your prep clinic.
- You must attend an asssessment prep clinic during the same season as your assessment event or the season before your assessment event.
- If you fail the exam, you do not need to retake the prep clinic, written test before taking the assessment again. However, the prep clinic, written test only remain “valid” for the season you took it and the season after that.
- It is required that you take the prep clinic in NRM, as other regions have different formats for their assessment evnts and prep clinics.
- This three-day event will cover the requirements for becoming a Level III certified snowboard instructor. You will receive specific feedback regarding your strengths and deficiencies in the areas of riding, teaching, and knowledge. This feedback is important for determining which areas you will need to focus on in your training for the on-snow assessment.
- Two educational books are required for Level III: Snowboarding Technical Manual & Teaching Snowsports. Though both the Freestyle Technical manual and Teaching Children Snowsports are highly recommended as resources. These are all available on the PSIA-AASI National Website.
- Level III assessment events are offered as a 3 day block of modules that can be taken all 3 days at once or individually. They are set up to be MA/Tech Understanding, Teaching, Riding respectively to build on each other and to help candidates be most successful. Any part of the Level III assessment events can be retaken individually if not passed. Assessments events (whether passed or failed) count toward a member’s credit hour requirement. Written assessments are now offered online.
- Level III candidates are evaluated through a series of assessment activities that showcase their ability to blend Technical, Teaching, and People Skills Fundamentals in a professional manner. Candidates should have experience teaching at the expert level and demonstrate synthesis and evaluation of instruction concepts. Successful candidates will apply tactics and fundamentals in assessment activities, interviews, and scenarios to show their experience teaching and demonstrating for students in all terrain and on small to medium freestyle features.
- This assessment is normally offered once per season.
- Participants should have mastery in riding and the teaching application of the entire AASI NRM Snowboard Task List and the AASI NRM Snowboard Challenge List.
- Level III candidates will be assessed and scored based on the latest version of the AASI Certification Standards.
Related Documents
- AASI Certification Standards
- AASI Certified Level III Assessment Forms
- AASI Certified Level III Professional Knowledge Exam
