CUA Guide Card Request

Guide Card Request Forms and Park Entry Protocol for CUA Operators

1. Download the Guide Card Request Form at the bottom of this page, complete, and submit by email to [e-mail].

• Guides will only be issued cards for the activities they have met the certification/training requirements for as shown in the chart below.
• Do not submit copies of CPR certification cards or driver’s licenses with the guide card request. However, the park may request these at any time.
• Additional guide cards may be requested throughout the year by submitting an updated Guide Card Request Form.

1. Individual electronic guide cards will be distributed to authorized CUA contacts via email. Guides are authorized to provide commercial tours once they are in possession of their guide card.
2. When arriving at entry stations, guides should have the following items/information ready to provide to entrance station rangers.
   • Guide card and government-issued ID
   • Number of clients over 16
   • Payment/passes for client’s entrance fees
3. Fees and Passes for CUA Operators
   • Guides leading trips or providing staff training with a valid (printed or digital) guide card do not pay an entrance fee.
   • Guides may not use their personal annual pass to cover entry fees for clients.
   • Clients 16 and older are required to pay $20 per individual or may use an America The Beautiful Park Pass (senior, annual pass, military, etc.) to cover their entrance fee.
   • Individual passes can be pre-purchased at Recreation.gov

 

Authorized Commercial Use Authorization and Guide Required and Recommended Certifications

CUA Activity Type	Required and Recommended Certifications
Bicycle Tours	* CPR and 1st Aid Certification - Required
Environmental Education Tours	* CPR and 1st Aid Certification - Required
Motorized Boating	* CPR and 1st Aid Certification - Required
Non-motorized Boating	CPR and 1st Aid Certification - Required Deep water kayak rescue training - Required Wilderness 1st Aid of Wilderness 1st Responder - Required for at least one guide on each trip ACA Level II Instructor certification - recommended for at least one guide on each trip
Overnight Backcountry Trips	CPR and 1st Aid Certification - Required Wilderness 1st Aid or Wilderness 1st Responder - Required for at least 1 guide on each trip
Painting & Photography Workshops	* CPR and 1st Aid Certification - Required
Road-Based Transportation Tours (group sizes 16 - 25)	* CPR and 1st Aid Certification - Required
Skiing & Snowshoeing	CPR and 1st Aid Certification - Required for low angle skiing and snowshoeing trips Avalanche Awareness Course - Required for low angle skiing and snowshoeing trips Professional Level 1 Avalanche Course or equivalent - Required for moderate angle ski trips Wilderness 1st Aid or Wilderness 1st Responder - Required for at least 1 guide on each moderate angle trip
Stream and Shoreline Fishing	CPR and 1st Aid Certification - Required Wilderness 1st Aid or Wilderness First Responder Certification - Recommended Leave No Trace Certification - Recommended
Towing, RV Appliance Repair,Locksmith	* No Certification Requirements
Water Access	* No Certification Requirements

 

Guide Card Request Form

All guides providing services under CUAs are encouraged to attend one Yellowstone guide training event and utilize the resources found at the following sites.

• Resources for Commercial Guides
• Resources and Issues