The first aid exam consists of two components.  One section is a one hundred question written exam.  The questions on the written exam will be based on the current edition of National Ski Patrol’s "Outdoor Emergency Care" manual.  A passing grade for the exam is 85%.  The second section is a practical exam consisting of several stations that will be set up on the hill or in a "clinic" environment.  Each candidate can expect to go to some stations with a partner and some alone.  Each pair of candidates will need one sled with the first aid equipment necessary for treating patients at each of the stations.  If a candidate does not have a partner then one will be assigned to the candidate at the exam.  This candidate must still bring a sled and appropriate equipment.  PSPA reserves the right to disallow any questionable device.  Discussion about the stations between candidates during the exam will constitute an unquestionable failure.  Bystanders and/or examiners can be instructed to assist in non-critical maneuvers.  The examiners at each station will be observing the candidates professionalism, confidence, scene management, first aid, patient loading and transport.  Notification by a hypothetical radio to the appropriate authority should be made as soon as it is realized that a patient requires care by a patroller. Information about the incident will be gathered through questions asked of the patient or bystander(s).

The stations may include, but are not limited to: long board, long bone fracture, patient assessment, airway management, upper/lower extremity injuries and internal injuries.  The stations may include scenarios with multiple injuries and/or multiple patients.