Ride Inspector Certification
Who Needs this Certification
State Regulators, Third-Party Inspectors, Maintenance Supervisors, Maintenance Directors (if applicable at your facility) if required by your state. Review your state requirements for inspecting or operating/running a facility in that state. Manufacturers need this if you inspect attractions for refurbishment, repair, maintenance.
Program Requirements
The Ride Inspector Certification Program is designed to confirm the knowledge of individuals working in the inspection field within the amusement industry. Certification is an outward demonstration of one’s knowledge of general activities and technologies that are an integral part of a daily amusement ride program and his or her participation in such activities and programs. Certification is useful for securing additional business opportunities and jurisdictional accreditation as well as personal development.
There are three levels of ride inspector certification
Level I – Associate Ride Inspector (ARI)
Level II – Certified Ride Inspector (CRI)
Level III – Professional Ride Inspector (PRI)
In order to achieve certification, an individual must provide verification of his or her industry experience and education. In addition, he or she must receive passing scores on the certification exams. The certifications are renewable. In order to maintain the certification, receipt of continuing education units (CEU), attendance in an AIMS-approved curriculum, and involvement in the amusement industry must be documented.
The AIMS Ride Inspector Certification Program is an internationally recognized program for verification of knowledge and participation in the field of amusement ride inspection. When an individual achieves a Level III certification, it will be clear that the person is a valuable asset to the amusement industry. A Professional Ride Inspector is a person who not only has gained knowledge with years of experience, but he or she also unselfishly gives back to the industry from which he or she has benefited.
ASTM International Standards
As there are no national standards for ride inspection, AIMS will instruct on the ASTM standards, state standards and other universally accepted industry practices. Those seeking certifications need to know the specific ASTM standards that apply to their facility and operations to be able to pass the exams.
Certification Information
All certifications are valid for two years
AIMS Associate Ride Inspector Level I (ARI) Certification
Qualifications
Education: Applicant must attest to having a high school diploma, college diploma, or GED (General Equivalency Diploma). Note: if documentation of education cannot be provided, applicant must provide dates of employment in the amusement ride inspection field for a minimum of 36 months.
Experience: Applicant must provide dates of employment in the amusement ride inspection field that equals at least 12 months (36 months if no proof of education).
Examination: Applicant must receive a passing score on the Associate Ride Inspector exam. Students with the above required experience should have enough knowledge to pass the exam. Unsuccessful applicants will be eligible to reapply for the exam 60 days after the initial examination date.
Eye Exam: Applicant must show evidence of passing an eye exam within the previous 6 months. The requirements of the exam are prescribed in the AIMS Inspector Application for Certification.
Courses (CEUs)
Coursework is not required to take this Level I exam to receive your initial certification, only for renewals.
Certificate Renewal
- 4 CEU (40 hours) AIMS - approved curriculum every 2 years (earned during the renewal period) from seminar attendance or AIMS ConnectED online courses
- Eye exam as required by Certification Committee
- Expired Certificates: It is required to retest after a certification has expired 5 years or more
Exams
Online Exams
Available for Level I Only
*Applications will be active approximately 1 month before the exam dates
March 17, 2026 @ 11:00 am ET
March 18, 2026 @ 1:00 pm ET
Exam applications are due by 5:00pm ET on March 12, 2026
May 19, 2026 @ 11:00 am ET
May 20, 2026 @ 1:00 pm ET
Exam applications are due by 5:00pm ET on May 14, 2026
August 18, 2026 @ 11:00 am ET
August 19, 2026 @ 1:00 pm ET
Exam applications are due by 5:00pm ET on August 13, 2026
October 20, 2026 @ 11:00 am ET
October 21, 2026 @ 1:00 pm ET
Exam applications are due by 5:00pm ET on October 15, 2026
Seminar Exams
This exam is available to take at the these seminars:
AIMS International Safety Seminar
AIMS Asia Pacific Seminar
SafeConnect Conference
FEES
- Application Fee to test during AIMS Seminar - $135
- Non-Seminar Application Fee - $175
- On-Time Renewal Fee - $75
- Expired Certification Reinstatement of up to one year - $100
- Expired Certification Reinstatement beyond one year - $80 per certification period plus $100
AIMS Certified Ride Inspector Level II (CRI) Certification
Qualifications
Current Certification: Applicant must hold a current AIMS Level I Associate Ride Inspector Certification OR NAARSO Level II or III Ride Safety Inspector Certification.
Experience: Applicant must provide dates of employment in the amusement ride inspection field that equals at least 36 months.
Eye Exam: Applicant must upload evidence of passing an eye exam within the previous 12 months. The requirements of the exam are prescribed in the AIMS Inspector Application for Certification.
Examination: Applicant must receive a passing score on all Certified Ride Inspector exams:
- Written Exam: Applicant must receive a passing score on a multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank exam covering ASTM standards (provided for exam) and questions regarding the application of a generic ride manual (provided for exam).
- Oral Exam: Applicant must receive a passing score on an oral examination administered by no less than three examiners.
Courses (CEUs)
Applicant must provide, at the time the application is made, verification of receipt of 8 CEUs (80 Hours) from attending amusement industry or other applicable seminars or education.
Certificate Renewal
- 4 CEU (40 hours) AIMS - approved curriculum every 2 years (earned during the renewal period) from seminar attendance or AIMS ConnectED online courses
- Eye exam as required by Certification Committee
- Expired Certificates: It is required to retest after a certification has expired 5 years or more
Exams
Online EXAMS
Online exams are not available for this certificate
Seminar Exams
This exam is available to take at the these seminars:
AIMS International Safety Seminar
AIMS Asia Pacific Seminar
SafeConnect Conference
FEES
- Application Fee to test during AIMS Seminar - $160
- Non-Seminar Application Fee - $195
- On-Time Renewal Fee - $75
- Expired Certification Reinstatement of up to one year - $100
- Expired Certification Reinstatement beyond one year - $80 per certification period plus $100
AIMS Professional Ride Inspector Level III (PRI) Certification
Qualifications
Current Certification: Applicant must hold a current AIMS Level II Certified Ride Inspector Certification.
Experience: Applicant must provide dates of employment in the amusement ride inspection field that equals at least 120 months.
Eye Exam: Applicant must upload evidence of passing an eye exam within the previous 12 months. The requirements of the exam are prescribed in the AIMS Inspector Application for Certification.
Examination: Applicant must receive a passing score on all Certified Ride Inspector exams:
- Written Exam: Applicant must receive a passing score on a multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank exam covering ASTM standards (provided for exam) and questions regarding the application of a generic ride manual (provided for exam).
- Oral Exam: Applicant must receive a passing score on an oral examination administered by no less than three examiners.
- Practical Exam: Applicant must receive a passing score on a practical exam administered on an actual piece of amusement equipment. Two examiners will administer this exam.
Must maintain Associate Membership in AIMS.
The individual must be willing to serve on the AIMS Inspector Examination Committee.
Courses (CEUs)
Courses (CEUs): Applicant must provide, at the time the application is made, verification of receipt of 12 CEUs (120 Hours) from attending amusement industry or other applicable seminars or education.
Certificate Renewal
- 4 CEU (40 hours) AIMS - approved curriculum every 2 years (earned during the renewal period) from seminar attendance or AIMS ConnectED online courses
- Eye exam as required by Certification Committee
- Expired Certificates: It is required to retest after a certification has expired 5 years or more
- Certificate holders may not take the Level I, Level II or Level III exam again in lieu of receiving CEU’s in order to maintain the Level III certification.
Exams
Online EXAMS
Online exams are not available for this certificate
Seminar Exams
This exam is available to take at the these seminars:
AIMS International Safety Seminar
AIMS Asia Pacific Seminar
SafeConnect Conference
FEES
- Application Fee to test during AIMS Seminar - $185
- Non-Seminar Application Fee - $245
- On-Time Renewal Fee - $75
- Expired Certification Reinstatement of up to one year - $100
- Expired Certification Reinstatement beyond one year - $80 per certification period plus $100