You will be required to go to several to progress to the level of Consultant. And, of course, all travel and cost of training is at your expense. You will be paid the Examining Fee at workshops you assist with. Consultant - Basically the same as Associate except that you have been approved to apprentice with a Master Specialist who will teach you how to lead a workshop on your own. This usually requires several certifications.
Some people take years, others move up rather quickly.
A Master Specialist must make the recommendation to AFAA that you are ready to move to the level of Certification Specialist. No travel compensation. Certification Specialist - There are Specialists for each type of program that AFAA offers. I am trained to teach the Step, Primary and KickBoxing Certifications and programs. This means that I have been through training, networking and apprenticing for each of these, and of course hold AFAA's certification for each to be able to be considered for training as a Specialist.