Accreditation of prior learning with Mountain Training
Candidates who have completed a Mountain Leader or Hill and Moorland Leader training course, may be assessed at a 'lower' level, as long as they are registered for that qualification. For example, if you have completed Mountain Leader training, you may attend a Hill and Moorland Leader or Lowland Leader assessment without needing exemption from training, as long as you are registered for that qualification and have sufficient relevant experience. The same is true for Hill and Moorland Leader trainees, who may attend a Lowland Leader assessment without applying for exemption from training.
NB. If you decide to take an assessment for a scheme you have not been trained for, you still need appropriate experience in that terrain as each presents its own challenges, particularly with regards to access and common hazards.
Exemption
For the majority of our qualifications it is possible for exceptionally experienced candidates who feel they have a deep understanding of the competencies outlined in the syllabus to apply for exemption from training.
Training courses offer an important opportunity to develop skills and an understanding of the minimum standard required at assessment. Training course delivery includes specialised subjects which might be unfamiliar to even the most experienced walkers/climbers/mountaineers. Key themes include ‘Leadership and decision making’ and ‘Teaching and learning’, for example. Our qualification training courses are interesting and enjoyable from which candidates derive considerable benefit and pleasure. Please remain mindful of this when considering applying for exemption.
Please note that exempted candidates are fully responsible for making themselves aware of the relevant qualification assessment competencies and preparing themselves accordingly.
To apply, individuals MUST exceed the relevant assessment course prerequisites, for climbs or quality days, by a margin of at least 25%. The assessment course requirements are detailed in the relevant qualification handbook. This is a minimum requirement for exemption. Please note successful applicants will commonly have significantly more.
Given the nature of our qualifications, relevant instructing/leadership experience will likely support application but will not negate the need to have the experience outlined above.
Whilst attendance on a non Mountain Training approved training course can be very useful and will be taken into account when considering exemptions, the main criteria is the quality, depth and breadth of your personal UK and Ireland based climbing/walking/mountaineering experience.
If you have undertaken alternative training (e.g. equivalent military scheme training, local accreditation or site specific training, or an alternative qualification in another country) please disclose this at the point of application and upload evidence to the ‘Files’ section in your DLOG.
All exemptions incur a non-refundable application fee, further details can be found below. Exemptions must be approved by Mountain Training and show on your tahdah account before you book and attend an assessment course. Assessment attendance will not be accredited if you have not attended a training course or have not been successfully granted exemption.
Qualifications
This information covers the qualifications listed below. Please see the bottom of this page for exemption from training information for the Winter Mountain Leader, International Mountain Leader, Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor and Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor.
Syllabus and prerequisite experience requirements for each qualification can be found in the relevant candidate handbook:
Climbing Wall Instructor and Abseil Module
Rock Climbing Instructor
Climbing Wall Development Instructor
Rock Climbing Development Instructor
Lowland Leader
Hill and Moorland Leader
Mountain Leader
Candidates based in England or Cymru
If you are a candidate based in England or Cymru and would like to apply for exemption from training for one of the qualifications above please follow the steps below:
- Set up a Mountain Training account and register for the qualification. You must be a member of a mountaineering council, such as BMC, Mountaineering Scotland or Mountaineering Ireland, at the time of registration, to find out why click here.
- Read the relevant syllabus to ensure you have a thorough understanding of the competencies outlined. You will be assessed in these competencies during assessment.
- Enter at least 25% more than the minimum number of quality days/climbs required at assessment for the relevant qualification. This experience should be recorded in the DLOG of your Mountain Training account. Please see here for further information about DLOG.
- Once you have completed the above, call 01690 720272 (the office is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm) to pay the £70 exemption application fee. This fee can be paid by credit or debit card. Once this has been paid your DLOG will be reviewed by a Technical Officer. The Technical Officer will consider the information presented and subsequently accept or reject the application. Please note this can take up to 10 days. In the case of rejection feedback will be given. There is no appeal process.
If you have any questions about this exemption application process please contact info@mountain-training.org.
Candidates based in Scotland
If you are a candidate based in Scotland and would like to apply for exemption from training for one of the leadership schemes above please follow the steps 1-3 above. You will then need to request an exemption from training application form from scotland@mountain-training.org. You will need to submit a completed exemption from training application form and exemption application fee (as detailed on form). Once this has been submitted and paid, your application will be reviewed by a Technical Officer. The Technical Officer will consider the information presented and subsequently accept or reject the application. Please note this can take up to 21 days. In the case of rejection feedback will be given. There is no appeal process. If you have any questions about this exemption application process please contact scotland@mountain-training.org.
Candidates based on the island of Ireland
If you are a candidate based on the island of Ireland and would like to apply for exemption from training for one of the leadership schemes above please follow the steps 1-3 above. You will then need to complete an exemption application form and send this, along with an exemption application fee of £70/€70 to Mountaineering Ireland. The application form and Mountaineering Ireland address can be found here. Once this has been submitted and paid, your DLOG will be reviewed by a Technical Officer. The Technical Officer will consider the information presented and subsequently accept or reject the application. In the case of rejection feedback will be given. There is no appeal process. If you have any questions about this exemption application process please contact jane@mountaineering.ie.
Winter Mountain Leader (all candidates)
Exemptions from training will only be given to exceptional candidates with considerable experience in Scottish winter conditions. There is no exemption from assessment. The scheme handbook can be downloaded from here. If you would like to apply for exemption from training for the Winter Mountain Leader please follow the steps below:
- Register for the Winter Mountain Leader and ensure your registration is approved. Please see here for further information about the registration process.
- Request an exemption from Winter Mountain Leader training application form from scotland@mountain-training.org.
- Submit a completed application form, with appropriate fee and evidence of experience (as detailed on application form). Once this has been submitted and paid, your application will be reviewed by a Technical Officer. The Technical Officer will consider the information presented and subsequently accept or reject the application. Please note this can take up to 21 days. In the case of rejection feedback will be given. There is no appeal process.
If you have any questions about this exemption application process please contact scotland@mountain-training.org.
International Mountain Leader, Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor and Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (all candidates)
It is not possible to obtain exemption from training for these schemes.
