To get started on the Climbing Wall Development Instructor qualification you need to meet the following prerequisites:

• You must hold either the Climbing Wall Instructor or the Rock Climbing Instructor qualification.

If you can meet all of the above requirements, here's what to do next:

• Log in to the Candidate Management System
• Register for the Climbing Wall Development Instructor scheme (this costs £65)

Register now

Climbing Wall Development Instructor candidate handbook

Click the picture to view or download the handbook.


Latest version 1.1 uploaded 12/12/2018

Do you have additional needs?

Do you have a physical or mental impairment or disability which may require a provider to make reasonable adjustments so that you can take part in a training or assessment course? Find out more.

Not quite right?

If this doesn't sound like the right qualification for you, consider the following:

• Climbing Wall Instructor
• Foundation Coach
• Rock Climbing Instructor

You could also read through our 'Which scheme is right for me?' page.

Climbing Wall Development Instructor training typically lasts for one day (minimum 8 hours contact time).

Before you attend a Climbing Wall Development Instructor training course, make sure you have done the following:

• You must be registered on the scheme.

You must have an up to date logbook (preferably DLOG) with evidence of the following:

• 50 led routes.
• Climbed at 3 different major climbing walls.
• Belayed a lead climber 50 times.
• 25 lead routes at grade F6a on indoor climbing walls.
• 20 supervising sessions after passing either Climbing Wall Instructor or Rock Climbing Instructor qualifications. At least 5 of these sessions must have personal reflective comments recorded on DLOG.

A variety of cost packages are available depending on what's included; food, accommodation etc. so you can choose one that's right for you.

Use the Climbing Wall Development Instructor Skills Checklist

This document can be used during or shortly after your training course to help you identify areas of the syllabus that may require attention.

The Syllabus

Climbing Wall Development Instructors should be competent in the following key areas, all of which will be covered, to a greater or lesser extent, during your training course.

• Technical Competence (including equipment, belaying and personal skills)
• Management and Decision Making (including planning, managing participants, decision making, knowledge and demonstration of techniques)
• Teaching and Learning Skills
• The Climbing Wall Environment (including access, etiquette and ethics)

Detailed information on each of the above topics can be found in the Climbing Wall Development Instructor handbook (below) and the onus is on you to be competent in all of them by the time you come to assessment - use the Skills Checklist to help with this.