Programs

Become A Guide

To become a licensed guide with NYSOGA, you must complete and submit the official application and required fees to the DEC, fulfill prerequisites such as adult CPR, standard first aid, basic water safety, and a physician’s fitness statement, and then register for and pass the guide exam.
Lower Taughannock Falls - Finger Lakes Region

How To Become A Guide

So, you would like to become a licensed guide...

An outline for obtaining your NYS License to Guide

  1. Print the application and other forms using the provided links below
    1. Complete application and submit with payment to DEC
  2. The following are required for obtaining a NYS guide license. It is not necessary to complete all of these requirements before taking the guide exam.
    1. Adult CPR (or equivalent) and Standard First Aid (or equivalent)
      This certification, a balance of classroom and skills practice, is accepted as a prerequisite to becoming a licensed outdoor guide. This certification is valid for 2 years. 
      August 12, 2023
      Click here to register online and payment. Click here to print the registration form for mail-in registration and payment.
    2. b) Basic Water Safety (or equivalent)
      The Water Safety for Guides class generally runs 3-4 hours, fulfills the water safety requirement for the New York State guide license and is a LIFETIME CERTIFICATION. Participants are not required to enter the water for this course.
      2023 Schedule for Water Safety Certification Classes (Class size is limited):
      2023 Class Dates and Locations:
      April 15, June 24, September 9, October 21, November 11, December 9 in Tupper Lake with instructor Sonny Young
      August 12 in Alexandria Bay with instructor Craig Tryon
      Pop-up dates available in Woodgate with instructor Alan Woodruff
      Click here to register online and payment.
    3. Physicians statement of physical fitness
  3. Register with the DEC to take the exams in the guiding disciplines you are interested in providing guide services for.
  4. Following your exam, DEC will notify you of the results. If successful you will be instructed to submitur CPR, First Aid, Water Safety certification cards, any other outstanding prerequisites, and your outstanding licensing fees.
  5. Once processed you will receive your License to Guide from the DEC.
  6. Once you get your NYS Guide License we welcome you to join NYSOGA and help fellow guides promote safe and ethical guiding in New York State.
  7. Each March, NYSOGA hosts a 4-day Winter Rendezvous event. It is possible for aspiring guides to take the 3 certification classes required for the guide license and guide exam during this event. As a bonus NYSOGA offers a guide license prep and review class during the Rendezvous time. (Please note that updated information for the Rendezvous is generally posted to the NYSOGA website during the month of December prior to the Rendezvous.)
    Above are individual links to files you can download and print as part of your preparation for obtaining your guides license. And here is a link to License Guide Program