A word of caution
Without trying to discourage people from this idea, let me caution that whenever I have seen a certification program for ANYTHING come along, it invariably turns into a business, meaning only those who can afford to take the courses can get 'certified', and those who can't afford it (and sometimes the course prices get insane, as with the AMGA) find their business drying up, not because they're bad at whatever it is, but because they can't pay to get certified. I know many qualified mountain guides who with thirty years of experience and good record get passed over for work because some kid shows up with a newfangled 'certificate', meaning he took a class, but may have zero experience dealing with real situations.
Having tossed out that wet blanket, I do think a comprehensive reference book of standards agreed on by a panel of expert riggers and engineers would be an invaluable resource for every rigging shop. It wouldn't need to be made readable like the "Rigger's Apprentice"; it could be as boring as "Bowditch" as long as it had the necessary information.
Just a thought....
Ben
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