Certification Summit | Central WAH, PRS, CWI
All CWA Certification Programs are a blend of online content, virtual calls, and in-person training and assessments. You must complete online work, and attend all scheduled meetings to earn your certification. Review all key dates before enrolling.
Join Industry professionals and experts in Orlando, FL for CWA Certification offerings. Click through the certification programs below to learn about course requirements, logistics, and key dates.
Steps to earn Certification
- Complete all online lessons and assignments
- Attend virtual meetings with your Provider
- Pass online knowledge checks
- Pass in-person assessments with your Provider
Location
First Ascent Arlington Heights
- Refund request 30 days in advance of the start date, 95% of total course cost is given.
- Refund request 14 days in advance of the start date, 75% of the total course cost is given.
- Refund requests within 14 days of the start date are reviewed and at the discretion of the organization.
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
CWI Provider (Member Rate)
|
$850.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Work at Height Level 1 (Member Rate)
|
$500.00 |
|
Work at Height Level 1 (Non-Member Rate)
|
$700.00 |
|
Work at Height Level 2 (Member Rate)
|
$500.00 |
|
Work at Height Level 2 (Non-member)
|
$1,000.00 |
|
Work at Height Bundled Level 1 & 2 (Member Rate)
|
$1,000.00 |
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Work at Height Bundled Level 1 & 2 (Non Member)
|
$1,500.00 |
|
Work at Height Provider (Member)
|
$850.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
CWA PRS Level 2 Boulder Direct Entry
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$200.00 |
|
CWA PRS Level 2 Ropes Certification (Member)
|
$700.00 |
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CWA PRS Level 2 Ropes Certification (Non-Member)
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$1,000.00 |
|
PRS Provider
|
$850.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
CWI Provider Renewal (Member)
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$450.00 |
CWI Provider
Key Dates
*There are no grace periods given for the below due dates
- July 6th Online Course Opens
- July 13th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 16th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 20th, 8:00am-4:30pm CT - In person assessment at the CWA Certification Summit
- July 27th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- August 3rd-7th Individual exit interview
Course Overview
As a CWI Provider you will be a representative of the CWA and you must abide by the CWA Certification standards.
The CWI Provider course assesses candidates ability to:
- Assess professionalism
- Assess climbing, technical, and risk management skills
- Assess teaching skills
- Certify CWI Level 1, 2, and 3 on behalf of the CWA
BEFORE ENROLLING
Make sure that you read the Certification Program Policy Manual and meet all of the prerequisites for this course:
CWI Provider
- Applicants must be 21 years of age or older
- CWI Providers have completed and are certified CWA CWI Level 3
- Minimum 200 hours of work as an indoor climbing wall manager
- Can climb 5.9 on lead
- In order to certify candidates you must be a CWA member and Proof of liability insurance coverage
Work At Height
At this certification Summit we will be offering the following certifications:
WAH Level 1
Key Dates
*There are no grace periods given for the below due dates
- July 6th Online Course Opens
- July 14th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 21st, 8:00am-4:30pm CT - In person assessment at Certification Summit
- August 3rd-7th Individual exit interview
Program Overview
The WAH Level 1 course assesses candidates ability to:
- Conduct work at height tasks
- Assist in rescue activities as directed
- Identify and avoid hazards
- Follow the guidance of more experienced WAH workers
Before enrolling:
Make sure that you meet all of the prerequisites for this course:
WAH Level 1 Technicians
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
- Have current first aid certification
- Can climb 5.9 on lead
- Can lift 50 pounds
WAH Level 2
Key Dates
*There are no grace periods given for the below due dates
- July 6th Online Course Opens
- July 14th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 23rd, 8:00am-4:30pm CT -In person assessment at Certification Summit
- July 28th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- August 3rd-7th Individual exit interview
Program Overview
The WAH Level 2 course assesses the candidates ability to:
- Establish working lines behind the wall
- Enact rescues, both accompanied and unaccompanied
- Identify and manage predictable hazards executing sound judgement
- Supervise work at height activities, providing effective feedback
Before enrolling:
Make sure that you meet all of the prerequisites for this course:
WAH Level 2 Technicians
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
- Completed WAH Level 1 successfully
WAH Level 3 Provider
Key Dates
*There are no grace periods given for the below due dates
- July 6th Online Course Opens
- July 15th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 24th, 8:00am-4:30pm CT - In person assessment at Certification Summit
- July 29h, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 30th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- August 3rd-7th Individual exit interview
Program Overview
As a CWI Provider you will be a representative of the CWA and you must abide by the CWA Certification standards.
The WAH Provider course assess the candidates ability to:
- Assess professionalism
- Assess WAH technical skills, rescue skills, and risk management skills
- Certify WAH Level 1 technicians on behalf of the CWA
Before enrolling:
Make sure that you meet all of the prerequisites for this course:
WAH Level 3 Provider
- Applicants must be 21 years of age or older
- WAH Providers have completed and are certified WAH Level 3
- Have current first aid certification of 5.5-6 hrs
- Minimum 200 hours of work in a supervisory and management position in a climbing facility
- Can climb 5.9 on lead
- Signed agreement and attestation
- Proof of liability insurance coverage
Professional Routesetting
At this certification Summit we will be offering the following certifications:
PRS Level 2 - Ropes
Key Dates
*There are no grace periods given for the below due dates
- July 6th Online Course Opens
- July 14th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 21st, 8:00am-4:30pm CT - In person assessment at Certification Summit
- July 21st and 22nd, 8:00am-4:30pm CT - In person assessment at Certification Summit
- August 3rd-7th Individual exit interview
Program Overview
The PRS Level 2 Ropes course assesses the candidates ability to:
- Use positive and appropriate communication skills with stakeholders
- Work on a setting team
- Identify and manage predictable hazards executing sound judgement
- Effectively participate in forerunning on ropes
Before enrolling:
Make sure that you meet all of the prerequisites for this course:
PRS Level 2 Ropes
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
- Completed PRS Level 2 Boulders or Direct Entry successfully (can be concurrently enrolled)
- Able to demonstrate and understand climbing movement up to 5.10
- Recommended to have 150 hours of routesetting experience
PRS Direct Entry
Key Dates
*There are no grace periods given for the below due dates
- July 6th Online Course Opens
- July 14th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 20th, 9:00am-1:00pm CT - In person Boulder assessment at Certification Summit
- August 3rd-7th Individual exit interview
Program Overview
For experienced Routesetters only. You may be eligible for direct entry into an assessment. There will be no instruction and candidates should exceed certification prerequisites. If you are interested in Direct Entry you can apply here. There is a $50 application fee. Candidates whose applications are not accepted may apply their application fee to a full course. Continue below for full course options.
Before enrolling:
Make sure that you meet all of the prerequisites for this course:
PRS Direct Entry
- 1500 hours of experience or more on a routesetting team for roped walls and bouldering with a minimum 750 hours on roped walls
- Has received at least 6 hours of formal work at height training for routesetting from employer, workshops, and/or from mentors
- Can accurately set routes at a variety of grades, in a timely manner, and with minimal forerunning and editing required
- Can transition from routesetting to forerunning routes with a team providing useful and actionable feedback
- Can work efficiently at height using systems compliant with the CWA WAH standards
PRS Provider
Key Dates
*There are no grace periods given for the below due dates
- July 6th Online Course Opens
- July 7th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 14th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 25th, 8:00am-4:30pm MT - In person assessment at the CWA Certification Summit
- August 4th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- August 3rd-7th Individual exit interview
Program Overview
The Climbing Wall Association is excited to announce applications are open for the 2026 CWA Summit Professional Routesetting (PRS) Provider course. The PRS Provider certification is intended for highly experienced routesetters and work at height technicians, and authorizes successful candidates to deliver PRS Level 1 and Level 2 Boulders and Ropes certifications, as well as WAH Level 1.
Before enrolling:
Make sure that you meet all of the prerequisites for this course:
PRS Provider Prerequisites:
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Age 21 or older
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Able to work on a ladder and lift 50 pounds
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PRS Level 2 Ropes and WAH Level 2 Certification
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WAH Provider Certification or concurrent enrollment and successful completion of the WAH Provider knowledge check.
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Proof First Aid certification, insurance, and attestation documents uploaded within 6 months of the Provider course start date.
The PRS Provider course will be offered in combination with a Work at Height (WAH) Provider course. Candidates who have not already completed their WAH Certification should enroll for both PRS and WAH Provider courses.
The PRS Provider Certification is appropriate for head setters and directors of setting who are responsible for training new staff, as it equips them with a pre-built training program. Since the CWA PRS Program focuses on technical best practices and good communication rather than defining “good” routesetting styles, it provides neutral training that can be integrated into any brand ethos. Not only does this certification teach qualified routesetters to deliver CWA Certification programs at their home facility at a fraction of the cost of sending setters to certification events, it gives them an opportunity to teach the next generation of routesetters at gyms across the world.
Note: In order to deliver CWA Certifications, Providers are required to maintain First Aid Certification and be covered by liability insurance.
Continuing Education
At this certification Summit we will be offering the following certifications:
CWI Provider Renewal
Key Dates
*There are no grace periods given for the below due dates
- July 6th Online Course Opens
- July 13th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 16th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- July 27th, 10am-12pm MT - Mandatory virtual discussion
- August 3rd-7th Individual exit interview
Program Overview
As a CWI Provider you will be a representative of the CWA and you must abide by the CWA Certification standards.
The CWI Provider course assesses candidates ability to:
- Assess professionalism
- Assess climbing, technical, and risk management skills
- Assess teaching skills
- Certify CWI Level 1, 2, and 3 on behalf of the CWA
BEFORE ENROLLING
Make sure that you read the Certification Program Policy Manual and meet all of the prerequisites for this course:
CWI Provider
- Applicants must be 21 years of age or older
- CWI Providers have completed and are certified CWA CWI Level 3
- Minimum 200 hours of work as an indoor climbing wall manager
- Can climb 5.9 on lead
- In order to certify candidates you must be a CWA member and Proof of liability insurance coverage
Click below for key dates
Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI)
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- CWI Provider
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- Level 1
- Level 1&2 combined
- WAH Level 3 Provider
Professional Routesetting (PRS)
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- Level 2 Ropes
- PRS 2 Boulders Direct Entry
Continuing Education and Renewals
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- CWI Provider Renewal
For More Information:
8200 South Quebec Street Box 413Centennial, Colorado 80112
United States 720.838.8284