Bow Technician Certifications
The Archery Trade Association created the Bow Technician Certification to help retailers add credibility to their business and provide a consistently positive experience for customers.
ATA'S RECURVE BOW TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION COURSE IS NOW LIVE!
About the Program
An advisory team consisting of retailers, bow manufacturers and industry experts identified the foundational skills in each program and acceptable methods to complete them. Courses have a hybrid format with an on-demand online course and a half-day in-person practical assessment where students must demonstrate their ability to execute the skills covered in the online course. This approach allows individuals to watch and complete the videos on their own time at their own pace, and time to reference the videos and practice each skill before the in-person practical. Courses are $600 each, $995 for two, or $1,395 for three.
NEW FOR 2025! Recurve Technician Certification
Practical Assessment Includes:
– Complete recurve bow setup for the following archery styles:
– Recreational Archery
– Traditional Hunting
– Traditional 3D
– Barebow
– Target Recurve
Skills Covered:
– Essential Background Knowledge
– Basics of Proper Recurve Shooting Form
– Recurve bow parts, design, and function
– Understanding proper bow fitment
Bow Technician Certification
Practical Assessment Includes:
– Student will work on one bow at workstation with all tools needed
– Student will complete a bow setup for the instructor serving as the “customer”
– Student will be asked to:
– Replace string & cables
– Time cams
– Set bow to factory axle-to-axle and brace height
– Install drop-away rest, peep sight, d-loop
– Level 2nd & 3rd axis on sight
– Properly adjust draw length and draw weight for the instructor based on application of form fundamentals
– Select an appropriate arrow for the bow setup
– Assist the instructor through a paper tuning session and make necessary adjustments for an acceptable tune
– Remove all accessories from the bow
Skills Covered:
– Understanding compound bow parts and function
– Foundational archery form and how it relates to bow fitment
– Safe use of bow shop tools and fixtures
– String and cable replacement
– Cam timing, adjusting axle-to-axle and brace height
– Installation of arrow rest, peep sight, d-loop
– 2nd & 3rd axis sight leveling
– Bow fitting: adjusting draw length and weight for customers
– Arrow selection
– Basic paper tuning
Crossbow Technician Certification
Practical Assessment Includes:
– Student will be presented with a damaged bow and asked to identify specific problems
– Student will assist a “customer” in selecting a bow appropriate for their physical abilities and use case
– Student will be asked to:
– Assemble a compound crossbow
– Select appropriate arrows for a given crossbow
– Change string & cables, set cam timing, and adjust axle-to-axle on the following bow types:
– Two-cable crossbow
– Four-cable crossbow with adjustable cables
– Four-cable crossbow with non-adjustable cables
– Change string & set brace height on recurve crossbow
– Demonstrate a safe and efficient sight-in process at 20 yards
Skills Covered:
– Understanding crossbow parts and function
– Foundational crossbow shooting form and how it relates to bow fit
– Safe crossbow operation
– How to inspect a crossbow for damage and wear
– Safe use of bow shop tools and fixtures
– Crossbow assembly
– Scope mounting & adjustments
– String & cable changes
– Setting cam timing and adjusting cam lean
– Choosing a proper arrow
– Efficient sight-in process
