The IGA understands that there are times when work is scarce, sickness and injuries suddenly occur, travelling takes a front seat, or life takes you down a different path. During these times, paying your professional dues could become a lower priority.
No need to worry, we have your back and have a built-in policy to help you through this.
Keeping your certification and therefore your skills up to date and in good standing is an essential part of keeping on top of your professional skills. We encourage all certified guides to pay their professional dues yearly and maintain their skills through professional development, but if you can't do this yearly, here is what you need to know:
- Missing your annual professional dues payment date will incur an automatic $10 late fee.
- You can defer your professional dues payment for up to 3 years without significant penalty (as of the date of membership expiry).
- If your deferral exceeds the 3-year allowable period but is under 5 years, you will need to contact us and follow the steps listed below to have your certificate(s) reinstated.
- If your deferral exceeds 5 years, you will need to retake and pass the course(s) to gain access to your certification(s). If you fall into this category, we are happy to offer you a 20% discount on the courses you retake (only up to 6 years after the first course was completed). Please get in touch with courses@interpretiveguides.org for a 20% discount code (the discount applies to retaking the same course you took in the last 6 years, and does not apply to new or upgraded courses).
Please note that this is for guides with AI, IS, PI, or GM certifications only - if you have a Basic Knowledge certificate, please click here for more information.
Dues unpaid for less than 3 years:
1. Pay this years professional dues, plus $10 late fee.
2. Enter 20 hours of continuing professional development hours that you have completed in the last year, click here to submit your PD hours.
Dues unpaid for more than 3 years and less than 5 years:
Send in a request to reinstate your certification to courses@interpretiveguides.org, along with the following documents and information:
All individuals with a Group Management (GM) certification (3 or 4-season) that has been unpaid for more than 3 years will need to retake and pass the full course. This is essential for the safety and security of the industry and your profession. We are happy to offer you a 20% discount on the course fee if you have taken this course in the last 6 years. Please reach out to courses@interpretiveguides.org for a coupon code.
For all other certifications (Apprentice Interpreter, Interpretive Specialist, and Professional Interpreter) proceed with these steps:
1. Send in a resume, with backup, as outlined below, for the time your certificate(s) was expired. You must have worked as a guide, attended school/training related to the interpretive guiding profession or volunteered as an interpretive guide during this time. If you were away from this profession during this time, you will have to retake the certification course(s).
Your resume must include the following:
- All interpretive guiding-related training and certifications you completed since your IGA certification(s) expired.
- A description of the interpretive guiding work you did during this time, including dates, hours worked, location, and your supervisor while undertaking this work.
- Any volunteer work you completed in interpretation, education, or guiding.
Note: All volunteer and paid work or training can be done anywhere worldwide.
**Backup requirements:
- You must supply a letter of reference from your direct supervisor for each interpretive guiding contract (paid or volunteer) you completed over these years.
- Or, transcripts from colleges/universities while attending a program related to interpretive guiding.
2. Retake the exam(s) specific to your certification and pass with the grade required by that exam. All exams and evaluations are subject to additional fees. Most exams can be administered virtually with an exam proctor.
3. Pay this year's annual professional dues, plus a $10 late fee.
5. Submit 10 hours of professional development for each year not previously submitted.
Only once all steps are completed and approved will your certificate(s) be reinstated.
Dues unpaid for 5 or more years:
Once you've missed 5 years of unpaid dues, certificates become null and void. If you fall into this category and wish to recertify, we'd be happy to offer you a 20% discount on all course fees for any course you have taken within the last 6 years. Please contact courses@interpretiveguides.org for a discount code.