How to become a certified mountain guide?

[Rlgm12]

I'm just wondering if anyone here knows how you become a mountain guide?
Obviously it takes years of experience and such.
But the process, particularly for blokes here in Aus. Where our mountains are comparatively small. Is it even possible here?
How do the gents who work Everest get to that point? That level of qualification in the field of mountaineering must take years and years.

[RonK]

You start by doing a technical mountaineering course (TMC). New Zealand is the most convenient place to do this.

There are quite a few NZ companies offering TMCs. Alpine Guides, Aspiring Guides, Adventure Consultants to name a few.

But a TMC is just the start, then you would need climbing experience. A lot of experience.

[climberman]

I'm just wondering if anyone here knows how you become a mountain guide?
Obviously it takes years of experience and such.
But the process, particularly for blokes here in Aus. Where our mountains are comparatively small. Is it even possible here?
How do the gents who work Everest get to that point? That level of qualification in the field of mountaineering must take years and years.

The NZMGA outlines the steps required (http://www.nzmga.org.nz/pages/7/guide-training.htm) to be a certified guide through their programme. From there is a step (a lot) to be a IFMGA, the internationally recognised top line for Mountain Guides. There are a number of pathways and intermediary qualifications on the way to this. Very few folks end up being IFMGA guides. It requires a a very strong technical skill set, a solid and ongoing resume, typically centred in the country in which you are seeking to become qualified, and a series of demanding multi day tests / exams / courses. As a guide, to be accepted onto the Ski Guide Pathway for the NZMGA, you would need to be able to:

Ski Guide Prerequisites
To be allocated a place on the Ski Guides Pathway, you must have met the following criteria:
Technical
- Completed a minimum of three seasons winter backcountry skiing or ski mountaineering, of which at least 2 seasons must be in New Zealand.
- Overall have logged minimum 30 quality ski touring/ski mountaineering days.
- Of the 30 quality ski tour days have logged 10 days of winter ski mountaineering of Grade 1 (Logan) peaks which demonstrate competency in the use of crampons, rope and ice axe and have logged minimum 2 ski mountaineering ascents of minimum Grade 2 (Logan) peaks in winter. eg Lendenfield, Eli du Beaumont, Minarets, Brewster, Edgar Thompson, Bannie etc
- Of the 30 quality days, 15 must have been on glaciated terrain
** Ski patrol avalanche control work as part of a well structured snow safety programme can be counted for up to 10 days worth of the minimum 30 quality ski touring/ski mountaineering days required.
- Pass the 1 day Technical Ski examination.
Other:
- Be at least 18 years old when your course starts
- New Zealand resident or have a current work permit.
- Current Pre Hospital Emergency Care Certificate (40 hr) or equivalent.
- Avalanche Course Stage 1 Certificate or overseas equivalent.
- Paid a $500 deposit to the NZMGA.
- Current certificate of medical fitness
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There is no functional Australian equivalent. In Oz a number of Outdoor Guide courses are available but they are not in line with the IFMGA.