Certification & Currency Requirements

AT A GLANCE

Our certification program is designed to be accessible to people from all walks of life—whether you're from a remote jungle village with limited financial means or a bustling city in a developed nation, there's a path forward for you. To support this, we offer two distinct avenues: a traditional Course Certification Route, and a more flexible, experience-based Mentorship Pathway.

CERTIFICATIONS EXPLAINED

ASSISTANT JUNGLE GUIDE

Description

The Assistant Jungle Guide certification program is designed for those who want to take a non-traditional route into certification and a Jungle Guide and build a solid foundation in jungle operations, safety, and expedition awareness.

This certification is mandatory for those wishing to enter into the Jungle Guide Mentorship Program who are not already Certified Jungle Guides. This course delivers essential baseline knowledge to get you started, to ensure you are prepared, and to ensure your mentor has a baseline of knowledge to build on.

This certification is not required for those planning to attend a full Certified Jungle Guide course, as these foundational topics are included there.

CERTIFIED JUNGLE GUIDE

Description

Certified Jungle Guides may lead training and expeditions in Jungle, Tropical and Rainforest Regions not exceeding their certification and competency level. They may mentor non-certified guides in knowledge and skills-testing preparation for certification.

They may wear or otherwise display International Jungle Guides Association logos and media in a professional manner and context on clothing, marketing material and digital marketing platforms, as approved by the association.

They may participate in International Jungle Guides Association curriculum development in discussion with Certified Jungle Guide Instructors. They may lead training and expeditions on behalf of the association, as employed by the association to do so. Certified Jungle Guides must adhere to the International Jungle Guides Association currency requirements.

Certification Currency

Curriculum minimum components (jungle specific):

Planning and Preparation
Risk and Emergency Management
Indigenous Communities and Cultural Awareness
Movement and Navigation
Equipment and Camp Craft
Medical Preparedness
Communication and Coordination

Knowledge testing:

Candidates must first successfully complete an approved knowledge curriculum course through either the International Jungle Guides Association, an International Jungle Guides Association Certified Jungle Guide Instructor or through an approved Training Partner to include the following jungle region specific subject matter. This knowledge may be delivered through an online or digital course platform or in-class / in-person.

Skills testing:

Candidates must then successfully apply tested knowledge and jungle specific practical leadership skills through either the International Jungle Guides Association, an International Jungle Guides Association Certified Jungle Guide Instructor or through an approved Training Partner, in an approved field setting over a multi-day expedition scenario. Field testing may be delivered in-person only. Course schedule and curriculum and testing must be association approved.

Candidates that have successfully completed both knowledge and skills testing will be granted Certified Jungle Guide status.

Hybrid testing:

Combined Knowledge and field testing may be conducted as approved by the International Jungle Guides Association.

Challenging Certification Requirements:

Candidates may challenge knowledge testing by contacting the International Jungle Guides Association for more information on requirements for proof of competency. Skills testing can only be done in person as approved by the International Jungle Guides Association, by an International Jungle Guides Association Certified Jungle Guide Instructor or through an approved Training Partner.

Certification fee: USD$150. Valid for three (3) years.

Recertification and Currency Requirements:

Certified Jungle Guides must maintain a high degree of professionalism, respect for nature, peoples, cultures and clients. They will adhere to International Jungle Guides Association Rules, Regulations, Policies and Ethos. They will operate solely within their experience, physical capability, competency and certification level.

Recertification

Certified Jungle Guides must recertify every three (3) years from the date of certification issuance, only through the International Jungle Guides Association. To be eligible, two expeditions must have been lead over the past 3 years of certification. Recertification fee: CAD$150. Recertification fee includes annual membership dues, recertification administration, and three (3) years of certification.

First Aid Currency

Certified Jungle Guides must maintain valid and applicable first aid training certification relative to their operation, as offered and available in their respective region(s) of operation. Proof of first aid certification must be available upon request by the association, and included in any certification application, or recertification application.

Regular spot checks or audits

In order for the International Jungle Guides Association to maintain international credibility among its certified guides, instructors, staff and training partners, all persons holding certification, approvals or training partner status must be available and willing to undergo regular random spot checks whether in person or otherwise, by the International Jungle Guides Association, or designated person(s) thereof.

Failure to comply with Association Currency Requirements may result in the member(s) being stripped of certification.

Clear process to address non-compliance:

Written warning → Probation → Certification suspension or expulsion.

CERTIFIED SPECIALIST JUNGLE GUIDE

Description

Certified Specialist Jungle Guides may lead training and expeditions in Jungle, Tropical and Rainforest Regions not exceeding their certification and competency level. They may mentor non-certified AND Certified Jungle Guides in their Specialization(s).

They may certify candidates in their specialization(s) if instruction is delivered under the supervision of a Qualified Certified Jungle Guide Instructor, delivered by an authorized training partner or the International Jungle Guides Association.

They may participate in International Jungle Guides Association curriculum development in discussion with Certified Jungle Guide Instructors. They may lead specialist training and expeditions on behalf of the association, as employed by the association to do so. Certified Specialist Jungle Guides must adhere to the International Jungle Guides Association currency requirements.

Certification Currency

Each Specializations’ delivery method will differ in curriculum. Each course curriculum will be approved by the Association. Delivery methods may be one or a combination of the following:

Knowledge testing:

Candidates successfully complete an approved knowledge curriculum course specific to the specialization through either the International Jungle Guides Association, an International Jungle Guides Association Certified Jungle Guide Instructor or through an approved Training Partner. This knowledge may be delivered through an online or digital course platform or in-class / in-person.

Skills testing:

Candidates successfully apply knowledge and skills specific to the specialization through either the International Jungle Guides Association, an International Jungle Guides Association Certified Jungle Guide Instructor or through an approved Training Partner, in an approved field setting over a multi-day expedition scenario. Field testing may be delivered in-person only. Course schedule and curriculum and testing must be association approved.

Hybrid testing:

Combined Knowledge and field testing may be conducted as approved by the International Jungle Guides Association.

Challenging Certification Requirements:

Certification fee: USD$125 per Specialization.

Recertification and Currency Requirements:

Certified Specialist Jungle Guides must maintain a high degree of professionalism, respect for nature, peoples, cultures and clients. They will adhere to International Jungle Guides Association Rules, Regulations, Policies and Ethos. They will operate solely within their experience, physical capability, competency and certification level.

Recertification

Certified Specialist Jungle Guides must recertify every three (3) years from the date of certification issuance, only through the International Jungle Guides Association. To be eligible, two expeditions must have been lead OR two(2) specialist courses must have been taught over the past 3 years of certification. Recertification fee: USD$150. Recertification fee includes annual membership dues, recertification administration, and three (3) years of Specialized certification, to include multiple specializations.

First Aid Currency

Certified Specialist Jungle Guides must maintain valid and applicable first aid training certification relative to their operation, as offered and available in their respective region(s) of operation. Proof of first aid certification must be available upon request by the association, and included in any certification application, or recertification application.

Regular spot checks or audits

Failure to comply with Association Currency Requirements may result in the member(s) being stripped of certification.

Clear process to address non-compliance:

Written warning → Probation → Certification suspension or expulsion.

SPECIALIST CERTIFICATIONS

The following are specialist certification courses currently available through the International Jungle Guides Association, offered as Jungle specific teachings relevant to Jungle guiding and exploration in Jungle, Tropical and Rainforest environments.

SURVIVAL
JUNGLE FIRST AID
ADVANCED JUNGLE FIRST AID
INDIGENOUS CULTURAL AWARENESS (DELIVERED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CULTURE/TRIBE/GROUP ETC)
INDIGENOUS SKILLS (DELIVERED SEPARATELY FOR EACH CULTURE/TRIBE/GROUP ETC)
INTERPRETIVE GUIDING
RISK MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY PLANNING

New Specializations may be added in discussion with the Association.

CERTIFIED JUNGLE GUIDE INSTRUCTOR

Certified Jungle Guide Instructors may lead training and expeditions in Jungle, Tropical and Rainforest Regions not exceeding their certification and competency level, to include training and certifying Certified Jungle Guides and Certified Jungle Guide Instructors, as approved on a case by case basis by the association. They may educate, mentor and assess candidates in knowledge-testing and skills-testing.

They may participate in International Jungle Guides Association curriculum development, Rules, Regulations and Ethos development in discussion with Association Directors and Training Partners. They may lead training and expeditions on behalf of the association, as employed by the association to do so. Certified Jungle Guide Instructors will maintain a high degree of professionalism, and strive to lead as an example of association rules, regulations and ethos.

Certification:

Eligibility:

Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years as a Certified Jungle Guide, 1 year of which must be under the supervision of a Certified Jungle Guide Instructor. Candidates must apply to the International Jungle Guides Association in writing to prove eligibility to become a Certified Jungle Guide Instructor. They must be able to prove Jungle specific experience, professionalism, competency and a thorough understanding of the International Jungle Guides Association rules, policies and ethos. Candidates may be subject to a face-to-face interview or interviews.

Knowledge testing:

Candidates must first successfully complete an approved knowledge curriculum course through either the International Jungle Guides Association, an International Jungle Guides Association Certified Jungle Guide Instructor or through an approved Training Partner. This knowledge may be delivered through an online or digital course platform or in-class / in-person.

Skills testing:

Candidates must then successfully apply tested knowledge and jungle specific practical leadership and instructional skills through either the International Jungle Guides Association, an International Jungle Guides Association Certified Jungle Guide Instructor or through an approved Training Partner, in an approved field setting over a multi-day expedition scenario. Field testing may be delivered in-person only. Course curriculum and testing must be approved.

Candidates that have successfully completed both knowledge and skills testing will be granted Certified Jungle Guide Instructor status.

Hybrid testing:

Combined Knowledge and field testing may be conducted as approved by the International Jungle Guides Association.

Challenging Certification Requirements:

Candidates may challenge eligibility requirements by contacting the International Jungle Guides Association for more information on requirements for proof of competency.

Recertification and Currency Requirements:

Certified Jungle Guide Instructors must maintain a high degree of professionalism, respect for nature, peoples, cultures, students and clients. They will exemplify International Jungle Guides Association Rules, Regulations, Policies and Ethos. They will operate solely within their experience, physical capability, competency and certification level.

Recertification

Certified Jungle Guide Instructors must recertify every three (3) years from the date of certification issuance, only through the International Jungle Guides Association. To be eligible, two(2) courses must have been taught over the past 3 years of certification. Recertification fee: USD$250. Recertification fee includes annual membership dues, recertification administration, and three (3) years of certification.

First Aid Currency

Certified Jungle Guide Instructors must maintain valid and applicable first aid training certification relative to their operation, as offered and available in their respective region(s) of operation. Proof of first aid certification must be available upon request by the association, and included in any certification application, or recertification application.

Regular spot checks or audits

Failure to comply with Association Currency Requirements may result in the member(s) being stripped of certification.

Clear process to address non-compliance:

Written warning → Probation → Certification suspension or expulsion.

TRAINING PARTNERS

The International Jungle Guides Association reserves the right to allow certified persons or entities operated by or employing certified persons, to operate in a professional capacity under the banner of the association, in order to earn monetary profits from expeditions, trainings and or certifications as overseen and offered through the International Jungle Guides Association.

Training partners may advertise, profit from and lead training and expeditions in Jungle, Tropical and Rainforest Regions not exceeding their certification and competency level, to include training and certifying Certified Jungle Guides and, on a case by case basis, Certified Jungle Guide Instructors. They may educate, mentor and assess candidates in knowledge-testing and skills-testing.

Eligibility

Training partners will be approved only through the International Jungle Guides Association.

The application process can be discussed by contacting the association in writing.

Fees

Training Partners will pay an annual fee of USD$500 to maintain active training partner status.

Regular spot checks or audits

Failure to comply with Association Currency Requirements may result in the member(s) being stripped of certification and or training partner status.

Clear process to address non-compliance:

Written warning → Probation → Certification and or Training Partner status suspension or expulsion.

ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR

Association Directors a respected leader in the jungle guiding community, dedicated to advancing excellence, safety, and credibility in our profession. Chosen and trusted by fellow members, Directors commit to collaboratively shaping the association’s vision while being held to the same rigorous standards and ethics required of all IAJG-certified guides. Their leadership exemplifies our commitment to professionalism, fairness, and integrity as they oversee global standards, curriculum development, compliance, and member support—ensuring IAJG remains a trusted authority in responsible jungle tourism.

Eligibility:

Certified Specialist Jungle Guides and Certified Specialist Jungle Guide Instructors who have held certification for three (3) years, have proven participation in association curriculum discussion and development are eligible to apply to become a Director.

Eligible applications may be made to the International Jungle Guides Association in writing. Applications will be addressed at the next available Directors meeting.