BCA Instructor Certification

RunoutJJ

Professional Banger
Silver Member
I always wondered what are you required to do to become a certified instructor..

I teach a fair amount of students and they all excel (naturally) in pool but i always wondered how one becomes certified by the BCA..
 
I always wondered what are you required to do to become a certified instructor..

I teach a fair amount of students and they all excel (naturally) in pool but i always wondered how one becomes certified by the BCA..

http://www.bca-pool.com/play/

You just have to take a class under an Advanced or Master instructor, take a test, and pay yearly dues to become Recognized. To become Certified, after being Recognized for two years, you have to present a predetermined number of student feedback forms and take another class.

-djb
 
Whatever it is, I hope its better than the ref program. It is laughable at best (if it is the same program that qualifies the refs for BCA vegas events). These guys really don't know the rules or how to enforce them.

A good reference is better than a piece of paper.
 
Insructors

From my experience with BCA certified instructors there are a lot of non qualified teachers on the market. Its a way for the BCA to raise money, and BCA should be worried about the quality of instructors not the quanity of instructors. Almost anyone can become an instructor, not saying there are not great instructors on the market but sure are some shady ones! I agree with Jason, a reference is better than a piece of paper. Too many insructors throwing BCA certification around, I feel BCA has degraded BCA certification and has become a joke in our field. BCA needs to upgrade schooling and become more stringent in handing out these pieces of paper.
 
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Some of us take the program very seriously. I don't certify anyone who I don't believe has demonstrated the basic skills and knowledge of the information, and the ability to communicate that information to their students.

Unfortunately there are some instructors who just want to collect the fees from potential instructors. However, you will rarely find a poor instructor once they reach advanced or master level. They have had to do too much work to reach that level, and been approved by more than one advanced or master instructor.

If you are interested in the program, I would be happy to talk with you.

Steve
 
I always wondered what are you required to do to become a certified instructor..

I teach a fair amount of students and they all excel (naturally) in pool but i always wondered how one becomes certified by the BCA..

Go with the SPF family of instructors....Scott lee and Randy head that group...

less BS to put up with...
 
David...The program has been changed since you were certified. You no longer have to wait two years to upgrade. You just have to teach more.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

http://www.bca-pool.com/play/

You just have to take a class under an Advanced or Master instructor, take a test, and pay yearly dues to become Recognized. To become Certified, after being Recognized for two years, you have to present a predetermined number of student feedback forms and take another class.

-djb
 
Mr. Oelschlager...The BCA Certified Instructor Program has made many significant changes in the past couple of years. Years ago it was true that there were many unqualified instructors out there. That is no longer the case. Just like there are "not so good" room owners out there, so are there "not so good" instructors. Too bad the room owners can't be weeded out, the way the instructors can be! :grin:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

From my experience with BCA certified instructors there are a lot of non qualified teachers on the market. Its a way for the BCA to raise money, and BCA should be worried about the quality of instructors not the quanity of instructors. Almost anyone can become an instructor, not saying there are not great instructors on the market but sure are some shady ones! I agree with Jason, a reference is better than a piece of paper. Too many insructors throwing BCA certification around, I feel BCA has degraded BCA certification and has become a joke in our field. BCA needs to upgrade schooling and become more stringent in handing out these pieces of paper.
 
Go with the SPF family of instructors....Scott lee and Randy head that group...

less BS to put up with... [ than with the BCA?]
I'm not sure what you mean by this. I think Scott and Randy both teach within the BCA program.
 
weeding out

Mr. Oelschlager...The BCA Certified Instructor Program has made many significant changes in the past couple of years. Years ago it was true that there were many unqualified instructors out there. That is no longer the case. Just like there are "not so good" room owners out there, so are there "not so good" instructors. Too bad the room owners can't be weeded out, the way the instructors can be! :grin:

Scott Lee
Mr Liee, I have heard nothing but good things about your group. As for weeding out the not so good pool hall owners its only a matter of time in most cases, most don't stay in the industry very long if they are losing money. Do instuctors have to be teaching to keep certification or at least maintain a certain level of play? I know some instructors who just boast about being BCA certified and don't put time into the sport.

Keep up the good work and push for higher standards to teach.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by this. I think Scott and Randy both teach within the BCA program.

Yes they do but i was not referring to scott and randy.....


JJ....just pack your stuff and show up at his door steps with 1200....and he will make you a world beater lol..... (just kidding but scott is a great instructor)
 
marc,oelslager...Yes, all BCA Certified instuctors, of all levels, must continue regular teaching to maintain their certification. If they wish to upgrade to higher levels of certification, they must teach an annual amount of student hours commensurate with their certification level, as well as attend continuing education programs, run by the BCA Certified Instructor program. The most recent one was held in Vegas last July. The program is not perfect, but it's better than it's ever been, and continues to make improvements every year. We need many more qualified instructors out there! After all we have an audience of 50,000,000+!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Do instuctors have to be teaching to keep certification or at least maintain a certain level of play? .
 
Bob...Yes, we are all BCA instructors...many of which are very good at what they do (including yourself). However, all BCA instructors are not SPF instructors...which I believe was the point Grey Ghost was trying to make.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I'm not sure what you mean by this. I think Scott and Randy both teach within the BCA program.
 
Good post!

I always wondered what are you required to do to become a certified instructor..

I teach a fair amount of students and they all excel (naturally) in pool but i always wondered how one becomes certified by the BCA..


I've wondered the same thing. Anyone have recommendations for someone looking to get started in Southern California. In the BCA instruction "active" list, it shows only one advanced and one master instructor in the state of CA. I believe Bob Jewett was one of them.
Should I contact one of them to get started?

What's the best way to get started? I believe I have the necessary skills (playing & communication) to help others learn and improve their game.

Thanks in advance for advice/recommendations.


Best Regards,
Abe - i4pool
 
From my experience with BCA certified instructors there are a lot of non qualified teachers on the market. Its a way for the BCA to raise money, and BCA should be worried about the quality of instructors not the quanity of instructors. Almost anyone can become an instructor, not saying there are not great instructors on the market but sure are some shady ones! I agree with Jason, a reference is better than a piece of paper. Too many insructors throwing BCA certification around, I feel BCA has degraded BCA certification and has become a joke in our field. BCA needs to upgrade schooling and become more stringent in handing out these pieces of paper.

Marc my friend: When was the last time you attended our BCA Certification School????
SPF=randyg
 
Hmmm

Marc my friend: When was the last time you attended our BCA Certification School????
SPF=randyg

Touche Randy !!

And to Marc: I would also add that I don't believe anyone, at anytime, has ever been injured or killed by poor instruction! With that said, I would tend to believe that anyone the plays pool and then wants to spend nearly $1000 to attend an academy, train with a Master, and become certified must have picked up a few things along the road.

Not many (translation: nobody) gets rich from teaching billiards, and just like anything else, if you find someone who is not helping your game you can move along. No different than finding a good mechanic, good doctor, good restaurant. Recommendations go a long way.

But using a blanket statement about certification and instructors sounds like you lack any real knowledge of the process and what instructors can provide. If you had a bad experience don't lump everyone into the pile, as it really is not fair, and quite frankly is insulting to the instructorss who take the time to provide valuable assistance to thousands of players every single day who come to this forum, and for free I might add.

RJ
 
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I've wondered the same thing. Anyone have recommendations for someone looking to get started in Southern California. In the BCA instruction "active" list, it shows only one advanced and one master instructor in the state of CA. I believe Bob Jewett was one of them.
Should I contact one of them to get started?

What's the best way to get started? I believe I have the necessary skills (playing & communication) to help others learn and improve their game.

Thanks in advance for advice/recommendations.


Best Regards,
Abe - i4pool

Scott, you and Randy should give i4pool some direction towards his goal. LA County alone has 20 million + and there are virtually no Certified Instructors. There are "teachers" who have knowledge in various areas but none that I know of who have structured programs. How can an area with that many people be a teaching wasteland?

Drive Safely.
CB
 
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