There are four basic licenses in APUL educational system: D - C - B - A. It is necessary to take the prescribed courses and exams to obtain the specific license. Licenses of lower level consist of one course or one course and one exam, whilst licenses of higher level consist of a combination of courses and exams.
APUL is a member of the international association ISIA. APUL licenses are the only in the Czech Republic which correspond to ISIA standards. To obtain a license of a third level, whose holder is also entitled to obtain the ISIA stamp, one should complete APUL B course, the first level of avalanche education, an introduction to ski race coaching and APUL C course of a second discipline. To obtain the fourth level and thus ISIA Card, it is necessary to pass two modules of APUL A course (A1 and A2) including exams, giant slalom test (and optionally the second level of avalanche course).
The APUL license maintains the highest level of quality both in the Czech Republic and abroad.
APUL D license entitles its holder to teach skiing and demonstrate the technique to beginners and intermediate ski school clients. The APUL D license holder is also competent to teach children in children's ski school.
License APUL C entitles its holder to teach techniques of parallel turns and its variants, including shortening the radius of the turns, freestyle basics or controlled ride on a steeper slope. Ski instructor APUL "C" is also competent to teach children in a kindergarten area as well as on ski slopes.
The APUL license on the level of "ISIA stamp" entitles successful graduate to teach advanced skiers on groomed ski slopes of all levels as well as off-piste (bumps or deep snow).The APUL licence holder of “ISIA stamp’ level knows the principles of advanced analysis and sophisticated teaching methods. The content of education at this level is also an avalanche problems or an introduction to ski race coaching.
The holder of the APUL A and "ISIA Card" license is a world-class ski instructor whose skills include precise demonstration of skiing technique, skiing in variable conditions, but also the ability to analyze, argue and lead a professional discussion about skiing technique, physics and biomechanics of skiing. The license holder is also competent to lead a ski instructor clinic and to teach expert skiing at all levels.
APUL license abroad
All APUL ski instructor licenses are recognized abroad. It is crucial that the licensing association is a member of the international association ISIA. Even though APUL licenses are recognized, their recognition is not a guarantee of getting a job at an foreign ski school. We therefore recommend obtaining a higher level license. The ISIA stamp level is optimal for applying for work outside the EU as it is a frequent criterion for obtaining a work visa.
License APUL D corresponds to the world standard license "Level 1" (BASI 1 NZSIA 1 APSi 1, CSIA 1, ...). License APUL C corresponds to the world standard license "Level 2" (BASI 2 NZSIA 2 APSi 2, CSIA 2, ...) or Austrian "Anwärter" level.
The APUL license qualifying for the "ISIA mark" corresponds to the world standard "Level 3" license (BASI 3 ISIA, NZSIA 3, APSI 3, CSIA 3, PSIA 3, ...) or the Austrian "Landesskilehrer" level. The highest license for ski instructors APUL A together with passing the conditions of "ISIA Card" is equivalent to the world full-cert standard.
Validity of licenses and their prolongation
The validity of APUL license is 3 years. After expiration, you can extend it for another 3 years by taking a weekend "prolongation course" (without final exams) or by taking a course of a higher level (e.g. - C license can be extended by completing B course, etc.) You can extend D license ONLY by taking a C course. It is possible to enter the course of a higher level even with expired license. The work experience is not enough for license renewal. You are not supposed to teach in any ski school with expired license (there is a risk of sanction from the Trade LIcensing Office).
Recognition of licenses from other educational institutions