Continuing Education FAQ
Have a question about Continuing Education requirements? You’re not alone. Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below.
Q: What is the Continuing Education (CE) Program and what happened to the IRC?
A: In the 2017-18 season, AIARE moved to an annual (once a season: Oct 1- Sept 30) Instructor refresher requirement. In the 2018-19 season this became AIARE Instructor Continuing Education (CE). Beginning with the 2018-2019 season, Instructors must meet this annual requirement with course offered by AIARE at least every other year. For non-AIARE CE years, Instructors can choose from a growing list of professional development opportunities.
Q: What are the approved non-AIARE CE courses?
A: Find a current list of courses here. You can use a non-AIARE course to meet your annual CE requirement every other year.
Non-AIARE courses that can count as AIARE CE are reviewed on a regular basis. If you have a course you would like us to consider, please send a course description or syllabus to liz@avtraining.org. General guidelines for acceptable courses are those that are open to any AIARE Instructor to enroll (i.e. not in-house employee training) and enhance any skills used by avalanche educators – teaching, risk management, forecasting, decision making, equity and inclusion, etc.
Q: Can I count courses I have taken previously towards the CE requirement?
A: The spirit of the Continuing Education program is to promote regular professional development and currency with curriculum. Courses count towards meeting the annual requirement for the year that they are taken.
Q: I have all the certifications listed for non-AIARE courses, and I don’t see any course offerings that enhance areas I would like to focus on.
A: Tell us what you want to focus on! The intent of the Continuing Education program is to continue to add to and diversify our course offerings in order to provide educational value to our diverse Instructor pool. This program makes it easier to bring in outside experts from different fields to offer rich professional development to both new and highly experienced instructors alike. Please let us know what you would like to see in the Continuing Education lineup by emailing feedback@avtraining.org.
Q: Does the PRO2, or CLT course I plan to take this season fulfill the CE requirement?
A: Yes! All PRO 2 courses, regardless of provider count as AIARE offered CE. The CLT also counts a CE.
Q: What happens if I miss a season?
A: If you have become inactive, please contact us at contact@avtraining.org to review your situation and devise a plan to become an active Instructor again.
Q: How do I submit a record of my non-AIARE CE course?
A: Please keep track of your CE for last season and this season (2020-21 and 2021-22) in such a way that you can provide a record of your continuing education when you pay your dues and sign the code of conduct next September 1, 2022. You are welcome to make a copy of this spreadsheet or download it as an Excel sheet to use as a template to track your CE.