Frequently Asked Questions

Renewal Requirements

The maintenance and renewal of this certification are obtained through a combination of continuing
education, work experience, and periodic re-testing. Inspectors certified under prior eligibility
requirements shall have a 24 month grace period to become compliant with changes in this policy
(from policy publication).

Document Renewal procedure (Two (2) years after testing)

  • Submit updated documentation required in Section 7. Required Documentation.
  • Continuing education and Inspections to be documented in Portfolio of Experience

Level 1 In-House, and Level 2 In-House Inspector/Monitor.

24 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) or 24 hours of ACCT-approved formal training and 4 In-House inspections (of which 2 are Periodic Internal Monitorings) during their certification period of two-years to retain inspector certification.

Level 1 Professional, and Level 2 Professional.

32 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) or 32 hours of ACCT-approved formal training and 6 Professional Inspections during the certification period of two-years to retain inspector certification.

Renewal procedure every four (Four (4) years after testing

  • Meet two-year document renewal requirements
  • Pass the current Inspector Certification Exam(s) with a minimum of 80%

Professional Inspector Eligibility

Professional Inspector Certification Requirements

  • Must provide proof of insurance that meets the current requirements as specified by the ACCT Insurance and Risk Management Committee and approved by the ACCT Board of Directors.
  • Provide proof of employment via signed Supervisor’s Attestation.


Professional Level 1

Document the following minimums within the past 36 months

  • Employment: A period of employment of 365 days or more as an employee or owner in the Challenge Course industry. Recent employment history assists in showing an applicant is staying current with industry knowledge and developments as well as maintaining the specific skill set required to inspect.
  • Experience: 75 days Inspection relevant experience includes and is not limited to the following: conducting inspection
    relevant training; engaging in challenge course inspection, installation, maintenance, and/or design; supervising other
    inspectors, managing an inspection department, serving on inspection-relevant entities.
  • Training: 40 hours of training specific to inspection. This must also include attending an 8 hour ACCT Inspector Certification Prep Course.
  • Inspections: 12 Professional Inspections in compliance with current ANSI/ACCT Standards at the time of inspection, performed under the supervision of a qualified person (inspections must take place at a minimum of three (3) different locations or courses).
  • Testing: Pass a Professional Level 1 certification exam with a minimum of 80%.


Professional Level 2

Document the following minimums within the past 60 months

  • Employment: A period of employment of 750 days or more as an employee or owner in the Challenge Course industry. Recent employment history assists in showing an applicant is staying current with industry knowledge and developments as well as maintaining the specific skill set required to inspect.
  • Experience: 150 days Inspection relevant experience includes and is not limited to the following: conducting inspection relevant training; engaging in challenge course inspection, installation, maintenance, and/or design; supervising other inspectors, managing an inspection department, serving on inspection-relevant entities.
  • Training: 72 hours of training related to inspection, installation, maintenance, and/or design; of which at least 48 hours shall be specific to inspection.
  • Inspections: 24 Professional Inspections in compliance with current ANSI/ACCT Standards at the time of inspection, of which at least 16 performed under the supervision of a qualified person (inspections must take place at a minimum of 3 different locations or courses
  • Testing. Pass Professional Level 1 and Level 2 certification exams, each with a minimum of 80%. If the inspector is currently certified as Level 1, the Level 1 test does not need to be retaken.

In-House Eligibility

In-House Inspector/Monitor Certification Requirements

  • Must provide proof of insurance that meets the current requirements as specified by the ACCT Insurance and Risk Management Committee and approved by the ACCT Board of Directors.
  • Provide proof of employment via signed Supervisor’s Attestation.

In-House Level 1

Document the following minimums within the past 36 months

  • Employment: 125 days in the Challenge Course industry
  • Training: 16 hours of challenge course inspection relevant training. This must include attending an 8 hour ACCT Inspector Certification Prep Course.
  • Inspections: 12 documented inspections including pre-use checks, shadowing, periodic monitoring (of which a minimum of three (3) are periodic inspections in compliance with current ANSI/ACCT Standards at the time of inspection, (of which a minimum of two (2) are periodic inspections performed under the supervision of a qualified person.)
  • Testing. Pass an In-House Level 1 certification exam with a minimum of 80%.

In-House Level 2

Document the following minimums within the past 60 months

  • Employment: 275 days in the Challenge Course industry.
  • Training: 32 hours of challenge course inspection relevant training by a qualified person.
  • Inspections: 24 documented inspections in compliance with current ANSI/ACCT Standards at the time of inspection, (of which six (6) are periodic inspections three (3) of which are performed under the supervision of a qualified person.)
  • Testing. Pass In-House Level 1 and Level 2 certification exams, each with a minimum of 80%. If the inspector is currently certified as Level 1, the Level 1 test does not need to be retaken.

General Requirements

  • Act as an agent of a challenge course operator/vendor
  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Document the skill, experience, and training to be considered a Competent Person with regard to worker safety and fall protection
  • Have the ability to inspect challenge course elements in accordance with ACCT Standards
  • vi. Meet visual requirements
    • All applicants must pass an eye exam to provide proof of near and far acuity of 20/30 or better with or without corrective lenses
    • All applicants must take a color perception test. Applicants who test positive for a color perception deficiency must submit a letter of acknowledgment to include a statement of adaptation from their supervisor before testing.

Levels of Certification Exams offered at Testing Events.

In-House Inspectors are those individuals who are providing Periodic monitoring, and internal inspections for the company they are employed through.

  • In-House Level 1: Introductory level of certification for applicants who perform in-house inspections at their currently insured course site.
  • In-House Level 2: Advanced level of certification for applicants who perform in-house inspections at their currently insured course site.
  • In-House Supervisor Endorsement: For those individuals that oversee other inspectors at their company. The Endorsement includes comprehension of quality assurance practices for companies that offer inspections and allow a Level 2 Inspector to supervise an apprentice inspector. The applicant must meet the requirements for Level 2 Certification. Applicant must also provide documented proof of employment as an In-House Inspector, including signed documentation from their supervisor that the applicant meets the requirements for both the Level and the Supervisor Endorsement being sought.

Professional Inspectors are those individuals who are providing Professional inspections while employed for a legally licensed company.

  • Professional Level 1: Introductory level of certification for applicants who perform professional inspections of traditional style challenge courses that are not typically open to the public and do not utilize complex or engineered life safety systems.
  • Professional Level 2: Advanced level of certification for applicants who perform professional inspections of commercially operated challenge courses that utilize specialty engineered life safety products or more complex mechanical systems including electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
  • Professional Supervisor Endorsement: For those individuals that oversee other inspectors at their company. The Endorsement includes comprehension of quality assurance practices for companies that offer inspections and allow a Level 1 or Level 2 Inspector to supervise an apprentice inspector. The applicant must meet the requirements for Level 1 and/or Level 2 Certification. The applicant must also provide documented proof of employment as a Professional Inspector, including signed documentation from their supervisor that the applicant meets the requirements for both the Level and the Supervisor Endorsement being sought.

Raleigh Schedule and Location for Prep Course and Exam

  • The Inspector Certification Prep Course will be from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Thursday, February 6th, 2020, in room 306A
  • The testing with start promptly at 8:00 am and end at 12:00 pm noon Sunday, February 9th, 2020, in room 305A
  • Both rooms are located in the Raleigh Convention Center. Address: 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601

What are the eligibility requirements for Professional Certification levels?

Professional Inspectors are those who are able to provide Annual and Third-Party inspections.

The Third-Party Professional Inspector Certification (hereinafter known as the “Professional Inspector Certification”) is designed for the individual working for a legally licensed business that is properly insured to offer professional inspections as described in the ANSI-ACCT 03-2019 Standard, Chapter 1, Section B.1.2. and Section C of the Qualified Course Professional Guidelines (QCP).

To be eligible to sit for the Inspector Certification Exam, all candidates meet the following:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent

• Meet the following visual requirements:

  • Eye exams must be administered by an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist, Medical Doctor, Registered Nurse or Certified Physician’s Assistant.
  • All applicants must pass an eye examination, with or without corrective lenses, to provide 20/30 or greater acuity both for near and distant acuity.
  • All applicants must take a color perception test. If an applicant is colorblind, this does NOT disqualify the applicant, however, if the applicant is colorblind a letter from the employer’s supervisor stating acknowledgment must be submitted before testing

• Professional Inspector applicants must also provide a portfolio of previous experience with the following minimum requirements:

  • Minimum of 150 lifetime builder days (or equivalent)
  • Minimum of 12 third party inspections conducted under the supervision of a qualified inspector

• Provide proof of employment in accordance with the level and track of certification they are seeking:

  • Professional Level 1 – Minimum of 365 days of documented employment in the Challenge Course/Aerial Adventure Park or Zip Line industry within the past 36 months
  • Professional Level 2 – Minimum of 1,095 days of documented professional employment in the industry within the past 60 months. – Employment must be directly related to challenge courses, aerial adventure courses and /or zip lines or related structures and incorporate various mechanical systems (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc).

• Provide proof of employment via signed Supervisor’s Affidavit. Owners or self-supervised candidates shall provide the Self-Supervised Affidavit.


• Provide a portfolio of previous experience with a minimum of 40 hours of training received from a Third-Party training entity covering challenge course operations, maintenance and inspections

• Provide current proof of insurance in accordance with the track of certification they are seeking. ACCT should be listed as the certificate holder on the certificate of insurance.

  • Professional inspector applicants must provide a certificate of insurance showing a Professional Liability policy of $1,000,000 minimum coverage. Professional services covered by the professional liability policy must be listed in the description of operations on the certificate of insurance.

• Agree to comply with ACCT Code of Ethics

• Meet minimum experience requirements for providing inspections as outlined in C.1 through C.2 .10 of the Qualified Course Professional Guidelines (QCP) Inspectors section. 

Hawaii’s Schedule and Location of the prep course and test.

  • Test Prep Course will be 8am to 5pm on January 22nd.
  • Testing event will be 8am to 12pm on January 23rd
  • Both are in Skyline Conference Room: 12 Kiopaa Street, Pukalani, HI 96768

Levels of Certification Exams to be offered at the Hawaii Testing Event

In-House Inspectors are those individuals who are providing Pre-Use, Monthly, Periodic, and internal inspections for the company they are employed through.

  • In-House Level 1 (Introductory level of certification for applicants who perform in-house inspections at their currently insured course site)
  • In-House Level 2 (Advanced level of certification for applicants who perform in-house inspections at their currently insured course site).
  • In-House Supervisor Endorsement (For those individuals that oversee other inspectors at their company. The Endorsement includes comprehension of quality assurance practices for companies that offer inspections and allow a Level 1 or Level 2 Inspector to supervise an apprentice inspector. Applicant must meet the requirements for Level 1 and/or Level 2 Certification. Applicant must also provide documented proof of employment as an In-House Inspector, including signed documentation from their supervisor tha the applicant meets the requirements for both the Level and the Supervisor Endorsement being sought.

What are the eligibility requirements for In-House Certification levels?

An In-House Inspector performs Pre-Use or Periodic Inspections for their own company.

The In-House Operator Inspector Certification (hereinafter known as the “In-House Inspector Certification”) is designed for those individuals who perform the Operator Operational Inspections for their own organizations as described in the ANSI-ACCT 03-2019 Standard, Chapter 1, Section B.1.3. (daily, monthly and quarterly in-house physical and operational inspections). An In-House inspector by definition is not a Professional Third-Party Inspector. ACCT standards require an annual inspection by an outside qualified third party.

To be eligible to sit for the Inspector Certification In-House Inspector Exam, you will need to ensure you meet the following: 

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
  • Meet minimum experience requirements for providing inspections as outlined in C.1 through C.2 .10 of the Qualified Course Professional Guidelines (QCP) Inspectors section. (C2.7 and C2.8 are waived for In-House inspectors)
  • Meet visual requirements (pass eye exam with a visual acuity of J2 or better and submit official form)
  • Pass written examination(s)
  • Comply with ACCT Code of Ethics
  • Have appropriate level of Liability Insurance

All test applicants must provide proof of employment (via signed Supervisor’s Affidavit) and proper insurance certificate (e.g. of appropriate level) for inspection services. See below for specific category requirements:

  •  In-House applicant must provide a certificate of insurance showing a General Liability policy of $1,000,000.00 minimum coverage.

Level 1 In-House Inspector Certification:

  • 200 days of documented employment in the Challenge Course / Aerial Adventure Park or Zip Line industry within the past 36 months
  • A minimum of 40 hours of training from a qualified third party covering challenge course operations, maintenance and inspections.

Level 2 In-House Inspector Certification:

In addition to traditional challenge course structures, Level 2 In-House Inspector Certification includes commercial grade operations and/or structures using mechanical systems such as hydraulics, pneumatics, compression or resistance, electricity and/or magnetics.

  • Minimum of 365 days of documented employment in the Challenge Course / Aerial Adventure Park or Zip Line industry within the past 60 months
  • Minimum of at least 40 hours of training from a qualified third party covering challenge course operations, maintenance and inspection.

In-House Supervisor Endorsement

The Supervisor Endorsement is for those individuals that oversee other inspectors at their company.  The Endorsement includes comprehension of quality assurance practices for companies that offer inspections and allow a Level 1 or Level 2 Inspector to supervise an apprentice inspector.

Applicant must meet the requirements for Level 1 and/or Level 2 Certification. Applicant must also provide documented proof of employment as an In-House Inspector, including signed documentation from their supervisor that the applicant meets the requirements for both the Level and the Supervisor Endorsement being sought.

What forms am I required to submit?

All new and renewing applicants will be required to submit all of the required forms:

In-House Inspector:  Inspector must provide certificate of company insurance showing a general liability policy of $1,000,000.00 minimum coverage.
Third-Party Professional applicant must provide a certificate of insurance showing Professional Liability of $1,000,000.00 minimum coverage.

When do my forms need to be submitted for the Hawaii Testing??

All forms should be submitted by 12/3/19. If additional forms need to be submitted after the test, applicants will have until 1/10/2020.

What are the Continuing Education Units (CEU) requirements to maintain my certification?

All Levels of In-house and Professional Inspectors must obtain at least 32 continuing education units (CEUs) or 32 hours of ACCT approved formal training during their certification period (2 years) to maintain inspector certification.

Formal training shall consist of:

● ACCT Conference and Symposium attendance
● ACCT ICE Panel approved seminars and conferences
● Third-Party training on related subjects such as product or systems specific manufacturer training; classes related to affiliated skills i.e. welding, blueprint reading, rigging, vertical rope access; contractor’s license; a community college class in construction management, etc. and/or training via other industries on rigging, OSHA, CWA, ASTM, TSSA, NDT, hydraulic, electrical or mechanical systems
● ACCT shall maintain a file on each member and retain copies of all training documentation

If there are courses you would like to attend outside of ACCT to contribute to your CEUs, please send a summary and/or a course syllabus to the Program Manager to be awarded units before attending the course.

Who do I call to ask questions?

Heather Brooks, ACCT Program Manager, is happy to assist you with any questions you may have about this Inspector Certification Program.

Contact Information:

Email: heather@acctinfo.org

Phone: 303-827-2432

11) CUAL ES EL CONTACTO EN COSTA RICA?

PUEDEN CONTACTAR A -VICTOR GALLO TEL. 506- 8383-9724 O DIEGO VALVERDE TEL. 506-8824-1189.

7) DONDE SE LLEVARA ACABO LA CAPACITACION Y A QUE HORA COMIENZA?

LA CAPACITACION TEORICA SE ESTARA LLEVANDO ACABO EN EL JAGUARUNDI LODGE EN MONNTEVERDE. LAS SECIONES PRACTICAS SE ESTARAN LLEVANDO ACABO EN DIFERENTES PARQUES DE LA ZONA. SE ESTARAN COMENZANDO LAS SECIONES A LAS 8 AM TODOS LOS DIAS O SEGÚN AVISO.

10) QUE TIPO DE SEGURO NECESITO PRESENTAR?

EL SEGURO DE RESPONSABILIDAD CIVIL DE LA EMPRESA O PARQUE QUE LOS REPRESENTA ES SUFICIENTE PARA CUMPLIR CON ESTE REQUISITO. SE PIDE UNA COBERTURA DE $1 MILLON PERO SI EN SU JURISDICCION LA COBERTURA ES MENOR TAMBIEN ES ACEPTABLE.

8) LAS COMIDAS ESTAN INCLUIDAS?

SOLO SE ESTARA OFRECIENDO COFEE BREAK LOS DIAS DE SECION TEORICA EN JGUARUNDI LODGE. HAY UNA GRAN VARIEDED DE RESTAURANTES EN LA ZONA Y A CORTA DISTANCIA PARA LOS TIEMPOS DE COMIDA.

9) COMO LLEGO A LA LOCACION SI LLEGO DEL EXTRANJERO?

HAY SERVICIOS DE BUSES PRIVADOS QUE DAN SERVICIO DESDE HOTELES O EL AEROPUERTO HASTA MONTEVERDE. UNO DE ESTOS SERVICIOS ES INTERBUS. CONTACTE A WWW.INTERBUS.COM PARA HACER SU RESERVACION.

2) PUEDO TOMAR SOLO EL CURSO Y NO EL EXAMEN?

SI SE PUEDE TOMAR EL CURSO SIN HACER EL EXAMEN PERO ESTO NO TE CERTIFICA COMO INSPECTOR. EL EXAMEN SE PODRIA TOMAR EN OTRA OCASIÓN (DURANTE LA CONFERENCIA U OTRAS OCASIONES DONDE SE OFRECE EN USA). SI NO VAS A TOMAR EL EXAMEN NO ES NECESARIO LLENAR LOS FORMULARIOS Y SOLAMENTE NECESITAS ESCRIBIR EN CADA UNO “TRAINING ONLY”. SI HAY QUE PAGAR $300.

3) QUE DEBO LLEVAR A LA CAPACITACION?

SU EQUIPO PERSONAL PARA RECORRIDOS DE TIROLESAS EXCEPTO LAS POLEAS (YA QUE ESTAS VARIARAN DE PARQUE A PARQUE), CALIBRADOR, CINTA METRICA Y TORQUIMETRO (SI LO TUVIERAN).

4) QUE PASA SI NO TENGO TODOS LOS DOCUMENTOS LLENOS PARA LA FECHA DEL CURSO?

SE ESTARA DANDO UN PERIODO DE GRACIA DE 1 MES A PARTIR DEL CURSO PARA ENTREGAR TODOS LOS DOCUMENTOS O SI HICIERA FALTA ALGUNO DE LOS REQUISITOS.

5) EN EL PORTAFOLIO A LLENAR, QUE SON LOS “CEU” Y COMO DEBO LLENAR ESTA INFORMACION?

LOS CEU SON “CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS” O SEA CURSOS, CHARLAS WEBINARS, Y CUALQUIER CAPACITACION RELACIONADA A PARQUES DE AVENTURA QUE HAYAS ATENDIDO. ESTO SE CALIFICA POR PUNTOS O POR HORAS DE INSTRUCCIÓN.

6) COMO OBTENGO UNA COPIA DE LOS ESTANDARES DE ACCT?

SE LE ESTARA ENVIANDO UNA COPIA DE LOS ESTANDARES EN ESPA˜NOL UNA VEZ HAYA HECHO EL PAGO CORRESPONDIENTE. ESTE SERA EN FORMATO DIGITAL POR LO QUE ES RECOMENDABLE QUE LO IMPRIMAN Y LO ESTUDIEN ANTES DE LA CAPACITACION.  SE ESTARA CUBRIENDO LA PRIMERA SECCION (DDI) PARA ESTA CAPACITACION.

1) NO TENGO CUENTA DE PAYPAL. COMO HAGO PARA HACER EL PAGO?

PUEDE HACER EL PAGO POR MEDIO DE TARJETA DE CREDITO LLAMANDO A LAS OFICINAS DE ACCT EN COLORADO USA. TEL. +001-303-827-2432. COMUNICARSE CON JOHN VOEGTLIN.

How do I transfer my certificate to another company?

If you would like to transfer your certification to another company; you will need to fill out the application and submit the following forms.  Once the app fee and forms are received it takes 7-14 days for approval.  You will receive an email with your updated certificate.

What is the difference between level 1 and level 2 certifications

If I fail the test how long must I wait to retake the test?

All applicants that fail the test can reapply and take it again at the next public offering or at least 3 months after the original test.

How long after I take the test will I be notified of whether I passed or failed?

All applicants with a completed file will be notified in writing within 45 days of taking the certification exam.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit all required documents.  Applicants will not be given a copy of their test or told what questions they answered incorrectly, if any. All applicants that successfully complete and pass their test(s) and have all required documentation on file with ACCT will be certified and mailed their Certification Packet.

Is this certification applicable outside of North America?

The Inspector Certification Program was created to specifically address  North American regulatory demands. While the test addresses ACCT and ASTM standards, it does not at this time address any additional standards or regulations from outside of North America and may not be recognized by non-North American regulatory bodies.

How often is the test offered?

ACCT will offer the Inspector Certification Exam annually at minimum. This will typically take place at the Annual Conference in Jan/Feb.

What is the difference between in house and third party professional ACCT Inspector certifications?

The Third-Party Professional Inspector Certification (hereinafter known as the “Third-Party Inspector Certification”) is designed for the individual working for a legally licensed business that is properly insured to offer professional inspections as described in the ANSI-ACCT 03-2016 Standard, Chapter 1, Section B.1.2. 

The In-House Operator Inspector Certification (hereinafter known as the “In-House Inspector Certification”) is designed for those individuals who perform the Operator Operational Inspections for their own organizations as described in the ANSI-ACCT 03-2016 Standard, Chapter 1, Section B.1.3.

Why was the certification created?

The Inspector Certification Program was created specifically to address North American regulatory demands.  While the test addresses ACCT and ASTM standards, it does not address any additional standards or regulations from outside of North America and may not be recognized by regulatory bodies outside of North America.