What are the exact steps required to become an FA and how much will it cost?
This also depends on the type of program and the discipline you wish to obtain experience in. If applying to general field biology programs, then there are 3 steps required to become a full-fledged FA for EARTHQUEST (Canada) if you lack 3-5 years of practical field experience and the ability to field identify 75% or more of the flora and fauna species on Canadian EARTHQUEST projects. These steps are; 1) the Level 1 General FASST Course, 2) and/or the General AFASST Courses (these courses are equivalent to the Level 1 & 2 bird and plant FAT Courses advertized through our Biological Field School), 3) the Level 1 FASST Course in management/leadership. These are the prerequisites required to becoming an FA for EARTHQUEST (Canada). Interns need only to have the Level 1 & 2 FAT Courses in birds and plants or the equivalent practical field experience from previous jobs. These three steps cost $300.00 US for the Level 1 General FASST Course, a minimum of $200.00 US for 3-5 days of general AFAS
