Exciting Changes to ASSAP Investigator Training – New Unified Programme from January 2026!

ASSAP is introducing a new unified Investigator Training Programme starting January 1st, 2026. This streamlined online course makes it easier and more affordable for members to get trained for ASSAP-assigned cases or to enhance their own paranormal investigations.

The two levels – ASSAP Accredited Investigator (AAI) and ASSAP Registered Investigator (ARI) – retain the same responsibilities and entitlements as before. But now, everyone takes just ONE course (instead of two separate ones), with differences in modules, participation, and assessment.

The briefing and bullet points.



Key Benefits:

• Lower overall cost to become fully trained
• More training places are available throughout the year

How It Works

For ASSAP Accredited Investigator (AAI)

• Reduced fee and fewer online modules
• Ends with a short written assessment
• Receive a 3-year certificate
• Eligible to join ASSAP investigation teams and handle basics: field observations, measurements, recording info, and occasional witness chats

For ASSAP Registered Investigator (ARI) & Register Entry

• Full course fee and additional online modules
• Ends with a comprehensive written assessment
• Receive a 3-year certificate and provisional entry to ASSAP's Register of Investigators
• Eligible to lead ASSAP teams: manage cases day-to-day, liaise with clients, interview witnesses, collate data/measurements, and write reports

All participants receive the same printed course materials.

Important Notes

Members Outside England & Wales

• Cannot join the full Register due to operational limits
• ARI-trained members may still be contacted about local enquiries to investigate independently

Joining the Full Register of Investigators

• ARIs start provisionally and can be contacted for local cases
• For full entry: Complete an annual in-person training module (may require travel/overnight stay) + willingness to handle cases up to 50 miles from home
• DBS check may occasionally be required

Flexible Options to Upgrade

• Choose your level upfront (AAI or ARI) and pay the matching fee
• Switch from AAI to ARI within first 3 weeks: Pay the fee difference

• After completing AAI:

   

  Timeframe After AAI Certificate	Upgrade Fee
  First 12 months	50% of full course fee
  Remaining 2 years	60% of full course fee

• Existing AAI holders (2022-2025): Upgrade via full unified course for 50% of full fee + £10 (printed materials)

All certifications must be renewed prior to or within 3 months of expiry.

 

Coming Soon: Special Interest Short Courses

Starting Spring 2026, ASSAP will offer online Zoom courses in:

• Ufology
• Cryptozoology
• Research
• And more!

Booking Info:

• Spaces limited to 12 per course – first come, first served
• Announced via ASSAP's social media and website
• No advance reservations – bookings accepted only after announcement
• Place confirmed after payment

Get ready to level up your skills! Watch our channels for course announcements and contact us to express interest.

Questions? Email the Training Coordinator at training@assap.ac.uk 
 

The debrief and understanding 

Introducing the new unified ASSAP Investigator Training Programme. 

Commencing on January 1st 2026, ASSAP will introduce in a new and more streamlined investigator training programme for those members who wish to work on ASSAP assigned cases
or to incorporate ASSAP’s training into their own paranormal investigations.

There will continue to be two recognised levels of investigator, keeping exactly the same defined responsibilities and entitlements as we have with the current AAI / ARI scheme.
Previously, any member who wanted to become eligible to join ASSAP’s Register of Investigators was required to undertake two separate training courses. Two courses obviously meant more time and more expense. Now, any member who wants to join our training programme (irrespective of whether they are
seeking to become an AAI or an ARI) will only have to participate in a single online course with a difference in the amount of participation required and the way in which participants are assessed. The advantages to our members of this new unified training is that overall it will cost less to become fully trained and ASSAP will be able to provide more training places throughout the year.



How it will work
For members who want to become an ASSAP Accredited Investigator (AAI). Participants in this group will pay a reduced fee and will participate in fewer of the online training modules. At the end of their training, they will complete a short written assessment and upon
completion, will receive a certificate of completion, which will be valid for three years. They will be recognised and recorded as an ASSAP Accredited Investigator (AAI). AAI’s will be eligible to join an AASAP investigation team and as part of the team, be expected to carry out the basic requirements of an ASSAP-led investigation. This will include making field observations & measurements, recording information and occasionally talking to witnesses.

For those who wish to become an ASSAP Registered Investigator (ARI) and entry on to ASSAP’s Register of Investigators.
Participants in this category will pay the full course fee and will be required to complete several additional online modules. Upon completion of the training course, there will be a more comprehensive written assessment. Following the successful completion of their training and assessment, ARI’s will receive a certificate of completion valid for up to three years and they will be also be provisionally entered onto ASSAP’s Register of Investigators. 
ARI-trained members will be eligible to lead an ASSAP assigned investigation team and undertake the management of an ASSAP-assigned investigation. Responsibilities will include, day-to-day management of the case, liaising with the client, interviewing witnesses and collating the information and field measurements. They will also be responsible for producing the case report.

All participants, will receive the same printed course material.

For members outside of England & Wales
Unfortunately, due to the way in which ASSAP currently operates, members who live outside of England & Wales are not permitted to join ASSAP’s Register of Investigators. However, ARI-trained members who live outside of England & Wales may still be contacted regarding any enquiries made to ASSAP that arise within their own country or region, which they may wish to consider independently. 

Joining the ASSAP Register of Investigators
All ARI-trained members will be provisionally entered onto ASSAP’s register of investigators and may, from time to time be contacted by our Investigation Coordinator about enquiries within their local area or region. However, to be fully entered onto our register of investigators, an ARI member will be required to undertake an additional in-person training module; they must also be willing to deal with enquiries from further afield, typically up to 50 miles from their home area. The additional in-person training will take place at least once per year, and attendance includes the requirement for the participant to potentially travel and stay overnight at the training location. Please be aware that in some instances members joining our full register of investigators may be sometimes be expected to obtain a DBS check, although this requirement will rarely be necessary.



Options for change
Normally, a candidate will be expected to inform us beforehand which level of training they are requesting – either AAI or ARI and pay the appropriate fee associated with their choice. Members who have previously opted to undertake only the AAI level training; may decide to switch and undertake the full unified training course instead. This can only be done within the first three weeks after they commence training by simply emailing their intention to do so. They will also be required to pay an additional fee, equal to the difference between the amount they have
Already paid and the cost of the full training package.

For members who complete only the AAI parts of the unified training course (including assessment and issue of certificate) and who later wish to undertake the full course and become an ARI; can do so by undertaking a full unified training course – from the beginning. They will be required to pay a fee, that is equal to 50% of the full course fee in the first 12 months following issue and receipt of their AAI certificate or a fee of 60% in the remaining two years that their AAI certificate is valid.

Existing AAI-trained members, i.e., those who completed their AAI training between 2022-2025 and who wish to now undertake their ARI training, may do so by undertaking a full unified training course. They will be required to pay a fee equal to 50% of the full course cost plus £10 to cover the cost of the printed material.

Important note 
All trained members will still be expected to renew their certification prior to, or within 3 months following their existing certificate’s expiration date.
ASSAP will also be introducing additional special interest short training courses in subjects that go beyond our standardised investigator training, including courses in ufology, cryptozoology, research etc. These will commence in the Spring of 2026
and will be delivered online via the Zoom platform.

Please note, training spaces are normally limited to a maximum of twelve participants per course, and places are always offered on a first-come basis. Participation cannot be reserved in advance. Courses are announced via ASSAP’s social media and website, and bookings will only be accepted once a particular
course is announced. A booked training place will only be confirmed after payment is received.