UIMLA (Union of International Mountain Leader Associations) is the international federation that governs the International Mountain Leader qualification. BAIML (British Association of International Mountain Leaders) is a member of UIMLA.
On 2nd November 2024 UIMLA, including BAIML, unanimously agreed to a revised 'Standard' for the International Mountain Leader qualification. This added a number of new requirements. You can find this “UIMLA 2024 Standard” here.
For anyone who has not yet begun their training before 1st Jan 2026 this new “2024 Standard” will form the basis for the training, assessment, qualification and membership programme that they will undertake.
For anyone who has already begun their training, they will either complete their IML qualification by the end of 2027 under the “2012 Standard”, or complete the training programme under the new “2024 Standard” into 2028 and beyond. Our Candidate Management System will ultimately record everyone as having gained an IML qualification, irrespective of the Standard used.
Must already hold: Mountain Leader
Registration is an application process and requires approval from Mountain Training UK & Ireland
Training: Summer training is 5 days*, winter training is 5 days* (both required)
Assessment: Timed navigation test (typically part of summer training), summer assessment is 4 days*, winter assessment is 5 days* (a pass at all assessments required)
*Training and assessment course length may vary from 2026 when courses are delivered under the "2024 standard".
Average time from training to passing assessment: 2.6 years
Ideal for: Experienced Mountain Leaders with international trekking experience who want to learn how to lead groups outside the UK and Ireland.
Register -> Record experience -> Book a training course [GIF]
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| To book a summer training course |
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| To book a winter training course |
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To book a summer assessment course |
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To book a winter assessment |
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Training and assessment courses are delivered by our approved providers: Glenmore Lodge and Plas y Brenin. Depending on the course and location, there may be residential and non-residential options. Summer training courses (and the timed navigation test) take place in the UK, all other courses take place in mainland Europe.
There are two elements to the International Mountain Leader training; summer and winter. Each element has its own training and assessment course. You must do the summer training before the winter training, but you can do the winter training before you've done the summer assessment.
International Mountain Leader summer training lasts for five days and will cover:
International Mountain Leader winter training lasts for five days and will cover:
After completing each training course, use the feedback from your course director and the candidate handbook (download below) to identify syllabus areas you need to practise.
BAIML supports aspirant and qualified International Mountain Leaders in the UK and represents them at the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations. BAIML offers a range of workshops for trainee and qualified leaders as well as a quarterly magazine, gear deals/discounts, a monthly newsletter and an insurance deal. After you have completed International Mountain Leader summer training you will be invited to join BAIML as an Aspirant Member for free until the end of the membership year (31st December).
The International Mountain Leader Summer assessment is four days long and is based outside the UK.
The International Mountain Leader Winter assessment is five days long and is based outside the UK.
You will be assessed against the syllabus competencies in the candidate handbook. At the end of each assessment you will receive one of three results:
Candidate handbook last updated: December 2024
