With the launch of its Bow Technician Certification Course in spring 2023, the ATA began providing retailers with a rich skillset of technical knowledge. This course was met with such appreciation that the ATA was proud to launch a new Crossbow Technician Certification course in spring 2024.

Each certification course includes an on-demand online component along with an in-person practical where students must demonstrate proper execution of each skill they have learned in the course. This approach allows individuals to watch and complete the videos in their own time and at their own pace, with an opportunity to reference the videos and practice each skill before completing the practical in person. Participants also earn valuable accreditation that can be displayed in their home or shop upon completion of the course.

Course Feedback

Retailers such as Ascend Archery in Davenport, Iowa, were eager to participate in the Bow Technician course when it was announced at the 2023 ATA Show. “We were ecstatic to see the Bow Technician Certification Course when it became available,” said Ashly Ochsner, CEO of Ascend Archery. “In fact, we valued it so much that even though it was sold out at the ATA Show in St. Louis, we booked a trip to the Vegas Shoot specifically for Trevor to gain his certification.”

Ascend Archery is a family-run business managed by husband-and-wife team Ashly and Rachelle Ochsner, along with their son Trevor. The family was already familiar with the USA Archery certifications offered at the ATA Show; both Ashly and Trevor received their Level 2 USA Archery certification at the Show 2 years prior. ATA Show attendees can receive their Level 1, Level 2, and/or Level 3 USA Archery certification each year with USA Archery instructors. The ATA added on-site practicals for the Bow Technician Course at the 2024 ATA Show. Now, when their archery shop opens in August, it will do so with an ATA-certified bow technician on staff.

“I really liked the Bow Technician Course because it makes learning how to set up a bow very smooth and direct,” Trevor said. “As a newer bow technician, it really boosts your confidence in your skills.”

Topics Covered

The Bow Technician Certification course teaches:

• compound bow parts, design, and function;
• understanding draw force curves and arrow speeds;
• safe use of bow shop tools and equipment such as hand tools, draw boards, and bow presses;
• complete compound bow setup, including: - installation of a peep sight, D-loop, arrow rest, sight;
• bowstring and cable replacement;
• cam timing, adjusting draw length and draw weight;
• paper tuning; and
• arrow selection and tuning.

The Crossbow Technician Certification teaches:

• crossbow styles;
• crossbow parts, design, and function;
• understanding proper crossbow shooting form;
• safe crossbow operation;
• safe use of bow shop tools and equipment such as hand tools and bow presses;
• crossbow assembly;
• scope mounting and adjustments;
• string and cable changes;
• cam timing;
• choosing a proper arrow;
• efficient sight-in process; and
• crossbow troubleshooting and equipment problem diagnoses.

“To say I learned some things would be an understatement,” Trevor said. “I went into the course thinking I know mostly everything about how to set up a bow, but I was wrong. There were so many things I learned that don’t seem like a big deal, but can make all the difference when setting up a bow perfectly, the right way.”

Having a bow tech certified through the ATA Bow Technician course will give your shop a huge boost of credibility. “As the primary bow technician, I am what would be considered ‘a bit younger’ in age comparatively throughout the industry as well,” Trevor said. “When customers hand their bow to me, I may appear like their own son or nephew in age, but they can rest easy knowing their bow will be set up perfectly and be the most accurate bow possible for them.”

Cost and Registration

Beginning in June, the ATA added crossbow certifications to the in-person practicals and will continue offering certifications throughout the year. Each course is $600 when purchased individually—or register for both courses at the discounted price of $995 and save over $200 when you use promo code: BOWCOMBO.

Retailers interested in a certification can register for the online course through the Learning Center at archerytrade.org. Once you’ve completed the online component, you can contact Kurt Smith, the ATA’s director of industry relations, at kurtsmith@archerytrade.org to schedule your practical.