SNOWBOARD
SNOWBOARD LEVEL 4
The APSI snowboard level four qualification is aimed at the career instructor who wants to teach advanced lessons at all performance levels. This qualification is suitable for experienced, working, level three certified instructors who may also wish to specialise in their snowsport school (e.g. coaching programs, private lessons or follow the pathway to become a trainer or manager).
There are two 5-day courses which must both be completed before attending the exam along with accrual of 150 professional instructing hours and 30 in-house training hours with a professional snowsports school.
COURSE INFORMATION
There are two 5-day courses (Block A, and Block B) and together they cover the skills to teach adults and children advanced riding techniques. Level 4 training focuses on; class handling, safety, technical information, rider analysis, freeriding, freestyle and demonstrating ability, all based around the performance of steering, carving and pure carving as used in the APSI teaching system.
The Snowboard Teach, Demos & Freeride (Block A) course covers all demonstration and freeride tasks along with advanced teaching scenarios, movement analysis and theory components.
This Snowboard Level 4 Race & Freestyle (Block B) course covers the freestyle and racing components (and includes the Competency Based Freestyle assessment*).
COURSE PREREQUISITES
EXAM INFORMATION
The Snowboard Level 4 Exam is conducted over three days and utilises both the station assessment type for riding and demonstration tasks, group scenario assessment type for teaching tasks, a timed Snowboard-Cross or Snowboard GS course, along with indoor theory assessments.
Candidates must pass all components to achieve the APSI Snowboard Level 4 Certification. The components assessed during the examination process include:
For all station assessments, candidates complete the task twice, and the best mark of the two is recorded.
The Race component may be conducted as a Snowboard GS or Snowboard-Cross style timed speed test. Candidates have two starts (or 3 if a run is not completed), with the fastest time recorded. The passing time for men is within 7% of examiners time, women 12% of examiners time, 35 years and older an additional 2% of examiners time.
The Theory exam is held in-house within your Snowsports School with the date communicated by your Training Manager.
There is one National Exam each year, typically held in September and rotating between resorts, as well as an early season exam for candidates that are resitting components. Please refer to the APSI Course & Event Calendar for details.
*Competency Based Freestyle assessment:
Freestyle demonstrations will be assessed during the Level 4 Block B course using a continuous assessment model. In 2026, Candidates who do not achieve competency during the Block B course, or who are re-sitting the component, have two options to complete the Freestyle component as follows:
The Competency Based Freestyle is new for 2026. Please see the FAQs for more information.
EXAM PREQUISITES
IF UNSUCCESSFUL
If a candidate is unsuccessful in one or more components of the exam, they may resit those components at a future exam, subject to resit fees.
All successfully completed components are retained. These remain valid for up to three years, and may be extended if the candidate attends a relevant APSI course to maintain their pass status.
REGISTRATIONS FOR ALL EVENTS CLOSE 7 DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT STARTS. If places are still available within 7 days of commencement, you may be able to book by contacting the APSI office. A late booking fee of 10% of the event fee will apply.
Please ensure you read and understand APSI terms & conditions include cancellation policy prior to registering for an event.
CBFS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is CBFS?
A: “Competency Based Freestyle”. The freestyle component of the Level 4 Exam will be assessed “competency based” and during the Level 4 Block B Course or at a Freestyle
Development Day (with continuing assessment).
Q: Have the Level 4 Freestyle components standards changed?
A: No, this year, the freestyle components will be assessed against the same criteria as 2025 (as per your Level 4 Training Guide). We are simply changing the environment where we assess you.
Q: Why are you changing the environment?
A: We are moving to more of a “jam session” environment to assess this component. Historically, we have seen candidates perform better under these conditions.
Q: What is a Freestyle Development Day (with*/without continuing assessment)?
A: This one-day Freestyle Development Day is designed to create a safe and fun learning environment while progressing you to the next level in your freestyle pathway. There will be a focus on reducing the fear factor by implementing psychological strategies, ongoing coaching, deliberate practice strategies, video analysis and a relaxed supportive freestyle environment fostered by your peers. This day will best cater to those who are looking to maximise their time in the park and want to hit a variety of features.
CBFS Ongoing Assessment* - For candidates who are in the Level 4 Freestyle pathway (already completed Block B), this day will also be used as an ongoing assessment for the Competency Based Freestyle Component.
Q: How many Freestyle Development Day (with continuing assessment) can I attend each year?
A: This format is designed so you can attend any freestyle development day throughout the season to improve and be put forward as competent. For 2026, there will be one of these scheduled in each state with a view to increase this in 2027.
Q: I am already in the process of my level 4 and am re-sitting this component. How does the new structure apply to me?
A. The changes to the freestyle component will be rolled out over two years. Year one will still see the standard examination format as well as a Freestyle Development Day as an option for all candidates. Year two, all candidates will be in the CBFS system.
Q: When will I get my Freestyle competency result?
A: You will get your competency as a “yes” or “no” at the end of your Level 4 Block B course, or at the end of a Freestyle Development Day (with continuing assessment).
Q: I don’t think I'm ready to be assessed during the Level 4 Block B Course. Can I choose not to be assessed?
A: The course is designed to help you improve your skills and give you the knowledge to train further in each of these areas. CBFS is designed as an “ongoing assessment”, not an “optional assessment”. You will get constant feedback so you will know where you are at in regard to having a competent range of skills. You will be assessed anyway, then can come to a FDD when you are ready.
Q: There are normally at least two examiners at an exam, though I will only be assessed by one examiner on the course. How will the APSI maintain consistency and non-bias?
A: Each task will be videoed throughout the course to allow the technical committee to
review all competent and not yet competent candidates.
Q: Can I resit this component in Japan?
A: Yes (subject to available features and minimum numbers)