Put Your Skills to the Test With ATA’s Bow Technician Certification Program

From its inception, the differentiating factor between the ATA Bow Technician Certification Program and others has been the requirement of an in-person, hands-on practical assessment to earn the certification. While other programs exist, and information is plentiful across the internet, we believe there is no substitute for demonstrating one’s skills under the observation of an impartial instructor.

The practical assessments for each certification (compound bow, crossbow and recurve) are designed to replicate real-world scenarios as closely as possible, but some aspiring technicians still experience a little “test anxiety.”

In this article, we’ll take a deeper dive into each practical assessment so that future technicians can have confidence in their ability to work through the online course and ace the practical in the four-hour time limit needed to earn their certification.

Compound Bow

The majority of the workload when servicing compound bow archers entails getting a bow in proper specs, fitting it to the archer, and installing accessories. In this practical, technicians will be given a bow (chosen at random from several different manufacturers) and asked to complete a string and cable install, time cams, and install all accessories including a drop-away arrow rest, peep sight, d-loop, and properly leveled (second and third axis) sight. While this isn’t a coaching certification, technicians are required to set the draw length on the bow for their instructor by observing their form and making necessary adjustments. This critical step ensures the archer will be able to achieve proper holding position and a consistent shot sequence. Once the bow has been set up, the student will select a properly spined arrow and head to the paper tuner. As the instructor shoots the bow, the technician will decide on what changes need to be made on the bow or if the archer may need to adjust their form to achieve a consistent result. Once a satisfactory paper tear is achieved, the last step of the assessment is removing all accessories from the bow while taking care not to damage the bow, string or cables.

Crossbow

This equipment category poses some unique challenges, mainly because crossbow designs vary widely from one manufacturer to the next. The goal of this practical assessment is verifying the technician’s ability to help a customer choose a bow to fit their needs, operate that bow safely and efficiently, and complete string and cable changes on it. With safety as an emphasis, technicians will first be asked to inspect a crossbow that may have some damage or needs for service. The technician will use a supplied checklist to complete this inspection. Then, they will assist the instructor in selecting a bow, assembling it, installing the scope and adjusting it properly for the archer, and getting it sighted in for 20 yards. The bulk of the assessment will then be spent changing string and cables and setting cam timing on four different bow styles. This ensures technicians will have confidence in using the bow press with each of these bow styles and understand how the string and cable system can be installed and adjusted for the most accurate and consistent performance.

Recurve

This assessment requires the technician to assist the instructor (their “archer”) in selecting and setting up bows for various use cases. Archer input has a great deal of impact on the tune of a recurve bow, so the technician will also need to provide instruction and demonstration on a fundamentally sound shot process. Technicians will first be asked to help the archer select a bow to be used for recreational or learning purposes. This will consist of a low-poundage takedown model with only a nock point and stick-on rest. The bow will be assembled, set up and then shot with an arrow selected by the technician. After observing the archer for a few shots, the technician will make any necessary adjustments to the bow and/or arrow in order to achieve satisfactory arrow flight. This process will be repeated for a heavier draw weight hunting style bow, a barebow with elevated rest and plunger (shot with string-walking technique), and, finally, a target recurve with stabilizers, adjustable sight, and clicker. Going through the setup and initial tuning process for all these bow types will ensure technicians have the skills and knowledge needed to serve any recurve archer.

Having an ATA Bow Technician Certification tells your customers that you not only possess the knowledge to get them the right gear but you’ve also got the skills to set up that equipment for accuracy and consistency. Technicians with decades of experience who complete the program are able to pick up some different methods and may learn some ways they could do their job more efficiently. Newer technicians get the opportunity to work in a real-life situation and gain confidence in their abilities to perform under pressure.

Interested in becoming a certified bow technician? Our largest practical assessment opportunity of the year happens at the ATA Trade Show and Archery & Bowhunting Supershow in Indianapolis. Practicals are held January 6-9, 2026. Go to archerytrade.org and click on Education to learn more about the certification program or get enrolled today!

Additional questions? Contact me at kurtsmith@archerytrade.org.