Scope of Practice Statements for Individual CAA Membership Categories

Individual CAA Membership Categories come with a scope of practice. The scope of practice for each category broadly defines the range of activities and services a CAA member in that category is authorized to perform. The Scope of Practice Statements below offer direction on whether a member can lead or participate in avalanche operations or education.

These Scope of Practice statements are intended to broadly state the types of activities members may reasonably perform. Given the breadth of avalanche operations, specific operation-level descriptions are not provided. The scope of practice statements are offered without consideration of additional certifications a member may have. It is recognized a member who is also a provincially registered engineer, or member of a guiding association may conduct a broader range of activities where those additional activities are overseen by other certifying bodies.

If a CAA member is uncertain if they are practicing within their scope of practice, they are encouraged to contact the Chair of the CAA Membership Committee.

Avalanche Practitioners:

a)     Participate in the assessment and communication of avalanche risk

b)     Deliver avalanche risk education programs

c)     Operate within a program for managing avalanche risk

d)     Work under the supervision of an Avalanche Professional

Avalanche Professionals:

a)    Develop, direct, and participate in the assessment and communication of avalanche risk

b)    Develop and deliver avalanche risk education programs

c)    Design and operate programs for managing avalanche risk

d     Supervise Avalanche Practitioners and ensure their work meets professional standards

Avalanche Professionals maintain proficiency in most areas of practice and may specialize to obtain an expert level of proficiency in one or more areas, aligning with their education, training, or experience.

Basic Avalanche Educators:
a) Are permitted to delivery introductory recreational avalanche education content with limited avalanche terrain exposure
b) Can teach introductory recreational avalanche education courses such as the Avalanche Canada Training program AST 1 and CRS courses
c) Work at the introductory level described within Guidelines for Instruction in Avalanche Terrain

d) Are restricted to travel in Simple ATES terrain

e) Are not recognized to provide avalanche services outside of the educational scope defined above (See note 2 below recognizing other certifications.)

Advanced Avalanche Educators:
a) Are permitted to teach advanced recreational avalanche courses such as the Avalanche Canada Training program AST 2 and MAT courses
b) Can work within the advanced level described within Guidelines for Instruction in Avalanche Terrain;
c) Are restricted to travel in Simple or Challenging ATES terrain
d) Are not recognized to provide avalanche services outside of the educational scope defined above (See note 2 below recognizing other certifications.)

Notes:

1. CAA members will act in the public interest by ensuring all work they are engaged in is consistent with established standards and practices, and by only undertaking assignments for which they are qualified, as outlined in the CAA Code of Ethics.

2. More information about how a scope of practice connects with competency-based membership and workplace conditions can be found in the CAA Scope, Competencies and Proficiency document.