The contents of your Competency Portfolio should be as brief as possible, while at the same time containing sufficient detail to prove you are competent in the knowledge and skills required to be an Avalanche Practitioner. Review the resources above before beginning your application. 

The Competency Portfolio provides an overview of who you are, your role in avalanche work, and what you do within that role on a daily basis. You are showing how you meet the proficiency level for the required competencies. You are required to show how you met the competencies in a professional avalanche related role. Recreational experience and non-avalanche related experience will not be assessed. 

The Competency Portfolio template shows you which competencies must be addressed, and which also require evidence. To show you meet the competencies, you must answer every question in the yellow boxes. Enter your answers in the pink box. If there is pink left on your application, it is not complete.

• Using the Competency Portfolio document, start by inputting your avalanche-related work and experience into the top section labelled 'Avalanche History'. Complete all columns for each role you held. This is a summary of your career. You do not need to go into detail about how you meet any competencies in this section. You do not need to include any recreational activities or non-avalanche related work.
• Next, work your way through the document by answering all of the questions in the yellow boxes.
  
• Make sure every pink box has an answer written in it. If there is pink left, you have not completed the application.
• You only need to address the competencies listed in the competency portfolio table. 

If you have any issues downloading the competency portfolio, please contact Membership Services

Evidence files provide a verifiable way to prove you meet the required proficiency level of critical competencies. Not all competencies require evidence.

Templates are not provided for your evidence files; you must create or collect the evidence files in the format most appropriate for each.

• For each competency needing evidence, create a digital evidence file that supports what you say in your Competency Portfolio. Save each file with a unique name/number (ex. Evidence1 - log book, Evidence2 - SW map).
  
• Ensure you note in the pink box labelled 'Name of evidence file for competency' which evidence files are being used for each competency. 
• In the application form, there will be space to upload your evidence files. Ensure the numbers match your reference in the competency profile. 
  
• A single piece of evidence may be used for more than one competency, if appropriate. You do not need to provide a unique piece of evidence for every competency. Please try to use each piece of evidence for as many applicable competencies as possible. This reduces the amount of work required by you and the assessment team.
• Please note, there is a maximum upload of 30MB. If your application is larger than this, please compress files and check that you have only included necessary files
• If you are unable to get a piece of evidence from an employer due to confidentiality, please contact Membership Services.

Here are some examples of types of evidence you can use.

Applicants will be asked to explain their reason for applying to become an Avalanche Professional on the online application form. We recommend that you prepare and save your responses to the following questions in a text document, then copy and paste your responses into the online application form field once you begin the process.

1. Why do you want to be a member of the CAA? 
2. Why should you be a member of the CAA?

Each application must be accompanied by a minimum of two references from a CAA Avalanche Professional. References must complete the online Avalanche Professional application reference form (right click to share link - only Avalanche Professionals have access to this form).

As indicated by the Avalanche Professional competency profile, certain competencies must be validated by someone familiar with the applicants work. Validation is done by references when they complete the online reference form.

References from ITP instructors that only know applicants from teaching ITP courses will not be accepted for applications. If you do not have a reference from an Avalanche Professional, please contact Membership Services.

References must read and attest to the applicant's "Competency Portfolio" portfolio document when they complete the online reference form. Please ensure that you provide the referee with this document when requesting their support. References do not need to verify an applicant's entire portfolio. 

It is your responsibility to make sure their reference letters have been submitted. Reference letters may be submitted after submitting your membership application; however the application will remain incomplete until the reference has been received. Your application will not be reviewed until your reference is received.

• Confirm all questions have been answered and there are no pink sections left. 
• Double-check you have provided evidence for all competencies that require it and that your evidence files are correctly labelled and linked in the Competency Profile. 
• Proofread everything for spelling and grammatical errors.
• Your reference should also review your application and ensure you are showing you meet all the required competencies. If your reference is not able to review your application and attest to your meeting all the competencies, you should find another reference. 

• Submit your portfolio using the online application form.
• You will be asked to upload your Competency Portfolio, evidence files and course certificates. 
• It is your responsibility to ensure that you have uploaded all of the documents needed by your portfolio.
• The total maximum upload is 30MB, if your application is too large, please compress any files possible.

If you begin the online application form and close the web browser, or time-out before completing the full application, your work will not be saved. Have all documents above ready before proceeding.

Please note: It is recommended that you restart your computer and/or clear your browser history before beginning the online application form.

Application review

Processing times for applications depend on a number of factors. The committee aims to process applications within 3-4 weeks, however applications where referees or applicants need to be contacted for supplementary information often take longer.  

Registration

Following approval, you will be notified and invoiced. Paying the invoice will complete the process of becoming an Avalanche Practitioner. Annual dues cover December 1 - November 30. Half dues are charged for memberships starting from June onward. Dues invoices must be paid within 30 days of invoicing to complete the application to avoid being a member not in good standing. 

Once an applicant has successfully become an Avalanche Practitioner, they take on all the responsibilities associated with this membership class. All Avalanche Practitioners are expected to follow:

• CAA Code of Ethics
• Scope of Practice Statement
• meet the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines