Since 1999, the American Canyoneering Association (ACA) has been dedicated to serving the canyoneering community through excellence in education, including training and certification for professional canyon guides. In 2011 the ACA recognized the need to separate the professional side of canyoneering from the recreational. The American Canyon Guides Association (ACGA) was formed to continue the tradition of high standards and professionalism established by the ACA in the ever evolving arena of canyon guiding and canyoneering instruction.

The ACGA now offers a series of training courses and exams designed to certify guides and instructors to the highly respected, internationally recognized, standards set by the ACA.