The Professional Ropes Course Association has become an ANSI Member and Accredited American Standards Developer for the Ropes Challenge Course industry, effective December 2, 2005. This defined means that the PRCA has an accredited process that allows for fair and equal representation in developing standards.

Talking Points
The PRCA was founded in 2003, for the purpose of supporting the challenge course industry by setting standards for the industry, both minimum and better practices. After consult and support of many industry professionals and programs, including pioneer of the industry Karl Rohnke, the leadership of the PRCA moved forward. The PRCA filed for American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation in July 2005 and underwent a public review period, and numerous levels of ANSI review and commentary. Then, the PRCA underwent a public review period called a Public Identification Notification System (PINS) to inform the industry and other governing agencies such as OSHA, NFPA, and state agencies. This was published on the PRCA website and industry listserves, as well as the ANSI website and newsletter to some 2,000 members.

The PRCA was formally accredited by ANSI on December 2, 2005. Since that time, two public review periods of current PRCA standards, one informal and one formal, have been conducted and feedback has been received and is currently under review by the PRCA Consensus Body, in accordance with ANSI accredited procedures. The PRCA began this process with clarification from ANSI that no other association was currently active in pursuing this level of accreditation for the challenge course industry. The PRCA is the first association to achieve this credential.

The first set of installation standards was issued in 2003 and open calls for contribution made on two industry listserves for input. This call included invitations to many well known builders in our industry. The second set of standards came out in 2004 and this version also included invitations to many of the very well known builders today via listserves and personal invitations. The 3rd Edition was released in 2005, and included standards for installation, inspection, operations and ethics. Facilitator certification standards are also included.

The PRCA has always sought to have a great variety of input from a number of sources while setting standards. For many of the standards, specific organizations' input has been solicited, as well as systems set up for any interested party to be a reader. Such opportunities have been announced to the entire industry through newsletters, industry listserves, and direct e-mails. This includes AEE, ACCT PVM’s individually, listserves (AEE / ROPES), Hibbs Hallmark, Stratus Insurance, K&K Insurance, Markel Insurance, WEA, BSA, ACA, and ANSI.

The PRCA has a growing membership both nationally and internationally. Additionally, PRCA standards have been recognized as the industry standards in court cases over the past couple years and have proven creditable and effective.

The PRCA started with builders AND programs alike, and now serves many facilitators, builders, as well as insurance representatives, attorneys, course managers, owners, university professors who teach in this area, K-12 school, teachers, park district personnel, camp personnel, and others interested in challenge courses.

Four major insurance companies who insure challenge courses also have begun to adopt the PRCA standards. They are also under consideration for use in legislative and regulatory arenas.