Frequently Asked Questions

IRVA Frequently Asked Questions

Learn about remote viewing, how to get training, and how the International Remote Viewing Association (IRVA) supports the community.

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Information notice: The material on this page is educational in nature and is not intended as medical, legal, or financial advice. Remote viewing is an experimental discipline and no specific outcomes can be guaranteed.

What Is Remote Viewing?

Remote viewing (RV) is a structured mental process by which a person attempts to obtain information about a distant or otherwise hidden target using non-ordinary perceptual means under controlled conditions.
Unlike informal psychic practices, remote viewing uses carefully designed experimental protocols, blind or double‑blind tasking, and written or recorded session data to minimize guesswork and front‑loading.
Targets can include locations, objects, events, people, and abstract information that are shielded from ordinary senses by distance, time, or intentional concealment. Taskers usually encode targets as neutral numbers or coordinates so viewers do not know what they are attempting to perceive in advance.
No. Some viewers may subjectively feel as if they are at the target, but remote viewing does not require leaving the body and focuses instead on recording verifiable information about the target.
Many studies and training programs suggest that most people can learn basic remote viewing skills with appropriate instruction, practice, and feedback, though individual talent and consistency vary widely.
Some remote viewing experiments have explored future targets, but such work is experimental and subject to many additional uncertainties. IRVA encourages a cautious and ethical approach to any claims about predicting future events.

History & Scientific Background

Modern remote viewing emerged in the 1970s from research at SRI International and related laboratories, where physicists and psychologists investigated anomalous cognition using controlled protocols that later became known as RV.
Declassified documents show that several U.S. government and military programs explored remote viewing and related phenomena for intelligence and analysis purposes over a period of roughly two decades.
Multiple laboratories have reported statistically significant results in controlled anomalous cognition experiments, though the mechanisms are not understood and debate continues within the broader scientific community.
IRVA supports careful, transparent research into remote viewing and related phenomena and encourages members to evaluate claims using critical thinking, empirical data, and ethical standards.

About IRVA

The International Remote Viewing Association (IRVA) is a non‑profit, member‑supported organization dedicated to promoting the responsible practice, development, and study of remote viewing worldwide.
IRVA welcomes experienced remote viewers, researchers, trainers, students, and anyone with a sincere interest in the subject, regardless of background or skill level.
IRVA hosts conferences, online events, and educational programs, publishes the Aperture journal, maintains archives and resources, and facilitates communication between practitioners, researchers, and the public.
IRVA is method‑neutral and includes practitioners from many remote viewing lineages and training approaches. The organization promotes respectful dialogue and cross‑fertilization of ideas rather than endorsing a single school.

Learning Remote Viewing

Many people begin by studying introductory material, then taking a structured course or workshop and practicing with feedback targets. IRVA provides educational resources and links to training opportunities.
IRVA Ed, IRVA’s education initiative, offers online courses, lectures, and practice programs taught by experienced remote viewers and researchers.
Like any complex skill, remote viewing improves with regular practice. Many viewers aim for at least one or two structured sessions per week, along with review and feedback.
Self‑study can be a good start, but most people benefit from guided feedback, coaching, and working within a community so they can avoid common pitfalls and develop good habits early.

IRVA Ed Courses

IRVA Ed is IRVA’s educational platform offering curated courses, lecture series, and practice programs covering remote viewing fundamentals, applications, and research.
Visit the IRVA Ed page at irva.org/irva-ed-courses to browse current offerings, view descriptions, and register for upcoming sessions.
Yes. IRVA Ed includes entry‑level courses that assume no prior experience, as well as intermediate and advanced programs for viewers who already have training.
Some IRVA Ed offerings provide a certificate of completion or documented participation; check the individual course description for details.

IRVA Membership

Membership helps support IRVA’s mission and gives you access to member‑only events, discounts on conferences and courses, archives, and networking opportunities with experienced remote viewers and researchers.
IRVA offers membership several levels- Associate, Tasker, Sustainer, Lifetime and Pro. visit our Membership page here to learn more.
IRVA Members typically receive access to member‑only communications, event discounts, selected archives, and opportunities to participate in practice groups and online activities.
Yes. IRVA is an international organization and welcomes members from any country where participation is legally permitted.

IRVA Pro Membership

IRVA Pro is a professional‑level membership designed for experienced remote viewers, trainers, and researchers who wish to be more actively involved in the community and in IRVA initiatives.
Pro members may receive enhanced directory listings, priority consideration for presenting at IRVA events, additional promotional opportunities, and deeper involvement in working groups and projects.
IRVA Pro is intended for individuals with significant experience in remote viewing practice, training, or research. Specific qualification guidelines are posted on the IRVA Pro information page.

IRVA Conferences & Events

IRVA conferences feature presentations by researchers, trainers, and experienced viewers; panel discussions; live demonstrations; networking sessions; and opportunities for informal discussion and collaboration.
IRVA has hosted both in‑person and online conferences, and some events include hybrid options. The format for each year is announced on the conference page.
Yes. Current IRVA members generally receive discounted registration rates for conferences and selected special events.
When licensing permits, IRVA makes conference recordings available for purchase or as part of membership benefits. See the current conference page for specifics.
Visit the events section at irva.org/irva-conference to receive announcements about conferences, webinars, and practice opportunities.

Aperture Journal

Aperture is IRVA’s journal of remote viewing and related topics, featuring articles, interviews, session examples, and historical and research material.
Current and selected past issues are available to members, with some back issues offered through the IRVA store at irva.org/aperture.
IRVA welcomes proposals for well‑documented articles, case studies, and historical pieces. Submission guidelines are posted on the Aperture page.

Research & Ethical Guidelines

IRVA facilitates dialogue between researchers and practitioners, hosts presentations on current studies, and may support collaborative projects that meet appropriate scientific and ethical standards.
IRVA encourages honesty in claims, informed consent for participants, respect for privacy, avoidance of harm, and transparency about the limitations and experimental nature of remote viewing.
IRVA does not certify or guarantee specific operational services. Individual practitioners are responsible for their own professional conduct and any claims they make to clients.

Account & Support

Creating an account makes it easier to manage registrations, access recordings, and view your purchase history, and may be required for some IRVA Ed offerings.
Log in to your IRVA account and update your profile details, or contact IRVA support if you need assistance changing an email address that no longer works.
Use the contact form at irva.org/contact for membership, event, or technical questions. IRVA volunteers aim to respond as promptly as possible, but response times may vary.