Here are a list of requirements to become a state-certified guide in France. The entrance exam: 4 technical tests - on sight, timed, rock climbing (minimum required is 5.10c/d) - various ice techniques (up to 70 *with the french method*, and 90 with the front point method) - mixed terrain, with a 12kg backpack and only mountain shoes (walking up 1500m in two hours, running in talus, climbing and downclimbing up to 5.6/5.7 solo, up to 5.10a roped, steep snow...) - ski (in summer !) You have also to give a long record (I think now it is about 100) of difficult climbs: mountain, mixed/ice, rock, crags, mountain skiing, of rating TD and at least a committed route. They will ask you questions about this record to verify you have done it actually. The exam is not so hard in itself, but mainly because of its competitive form, now the candidates are very good. I have friends who can climb up to 5.11d and are very good in mountains who failed last year. If you succeed, you have to do a summer stay of 5 weeks at ENSA and a shorter winter stay, which concludes by another, more comprehensive exam. Then you are only a *temporary* mountain guide and will have to confirm 3 years later during two other stays (one short in winter and one long in summer), with another record of climbs.