Understanding the difference between Coach Status and Coaching Certification helps coaches, candidates, parents, and athletes make informed decisions and meet the requirements to participate safely and professionally in equestrian sport.
What They Are — in Plain Language
Coach Status This is your active licence to coach. It demonstrates that you’ve met essential safety and screening requirements and allows you to coach and evaluate in EC programs.
It includes:
Safe Sport training
Background screening and references
Valid insurance
Registration in MyEC systems
There are two levels of Coach Status:
Registered Coach Status – For coaches in training
Licensed Coach Status – For certified coaches with recognized credentials
Think of Coach Status like a driver’s licence — it needs to be active and up-to-date to coach.
Coaching Certification This is your NCCP credential. It is earned by completing the required training and passing your coaching evaluation in your chosen context (e.g., Instructor, Competition Coach, Competition Coach Specialist).
After certification:
You’ve demonstrated your coaching skills and competencies
You hold a nationally recognized credential
Your certification stays valid as long as you meet ongoing requirements (such as professional development and maintaining Coach Status)
Think of Coaching Certification like a diploma — it reflects your training and evaluation achievement.
Why Both Are Required
To be recognized as an active coach in Equestrian Canada (EC) programs, you must hold:
Active Coach Status, and
Coaching Certification appropriate to your context
Holding both ensures you are screened, trained, and qualified to deliver or evaluate EC programs such as Rookie Riders and Learn to Ride & Drive.
How They Work Together
You can work toward certification while holding Registered Coach Status, but your Certified Coach identity is only fully recognized if you also hold Licensed Coach Status.Whether you’re a coach, a candidate preparing for certification, or a parent or athlete looking for a safe and qualified professional, it’s important to know the difference between Coach Status and Coaching Certification.
Coach Status ensures safety, screening, and currency — and must be renewed regularly.
Coaching Certification demonstrates your qualification and coaching competencies.
These are two separate requirements that work together to make sure equestrian coaching in Canada meets the highest safety, screening, and training standards.
Coach Status
Like a driver’s license — must be current and renewed to stay active
The screening process: Safe Sport training, background checks, insurance, and references
Two levels: Registered & Licensed
Must be active to coach or evaluate in EC programs
Coaching Certification
Like a diploma — earned for life after evaluation*
The education process: NCCP training and evaluation
EC NCCP Certification in your chosen context
Must be paired with active Coach Status to be recognized
*Requires PD points + active Coach Status to remain valid
Quick Comparison
Requirement
What It Is
How Long It Lasts
Coach Status
Active licence demonstrating safe sport training, screening, and insurance
Must be renewed annually
Coaching Certification (NCCP)
National coaching credential from training + evaluation
Valid as long as you maintain PD and Coach Status Renews every 5 years
Need Help?
For details on how to apply for Coach Status, maintain certification, or update your profile, see:
Coach Status Program details (EC)
Resources for Certified Coaches (AEF)
FAQ
Do certified coaches have to purchase the Coach Status (licensed or registered)?
Yes.
NCCP certification is earned by completing the required training and evaluation. However, to be recognized as an active coach by Equestrian Canada and AEF, coaches must also hold an active Coach Status.
Coach Status confirms that your screening, Safe Sport requirements, and insurance are current.
As of 2025 and onward, both:
Licensed Coach Status, and
Appropriate NCCP Certification
are required to coach at all EC-sanctioned events.
Do I need to have a valid Provincial Sport Organization (PTSO) membership to qualify for a Coach Status?
Yes.
An active PTSO membership (such as AEF) is required to apply for and maintain Coach Status. Membership status is verified at the time of application, issuance, and renewal.
It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure their PTSO membership remains current.
Do all requirements need to be completed before applying for Coach Status?
No.
Coaches may apply for Coach Status before completing all requirements. However:
All outstanding requirements must be completed within 90 days of purchase.
Coach Status will only remain active once all documents are submitted and approved.
When is the vulnerable sector search required?
A Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) is required only once for coaches born before March 1986.
This requirement is based on RCMP records indicating that the most recent pardon for a sexual offence corresponds to a date of birth of February 28, 1986.
Key notes:
The VSS may take up to three months to process
Candidates must present themselves in person at a police station
Is an EC Sport Licence required for applying for the Coach Status?
Yes.
Coaches must maintain an active EC Sport Licence to apply for and hold Coach Status. Licence validity is verified during application, issuance, and renewal.
Any level of Sport Licence is acceptable for Coach Status. Coaches are encouraged to select the licence appropriate for their broader activities (e.g., competition participation, horse recordings).
What coaching qualifications are accepted for Licensed Coach Status?
Applicants for Licensed Coach Status must demonstrate validated coaching expertise through one of the following:
NCCP coaching certification
Recognized formal coaching training
Post-secondary equine education
20+ years of coaching experience
If you are NCCP-certified, your credentials are automatically recorded in ECampus.
For non-NCCP pathways, documentation must be uploaded during the Coach Status application.
Currently recognized formal training includes:
IGEQ Levels 1–3
CanTRA Coach, CTRII, CTRSI
Canadian Pony Club – Level A
CHA Instructor Certifications (English & Western, Levels 2–Master)
Coaches applying based on 25+ years of experience must complete a Certification Exemption Request Form with EC and pay a one-time processing fee of $200.
Coach Status is valid for one year from the date of issuance, provided all required documents remain current.
If any required document (e.g., first aid certification) expires:
Coach Status becomes inactive
Status is reinstated once updated documents are approved
The original expiry date does not change
Do healthcare professionals need to provide a first aid certificate?
If you work in a healthcare or first-aid-related profession (e.g., paramedic), you may submit a letter from your employer confirming that your first aid qualifications are current. Letters should be emailed to EC at coaching@equestrian.ca
I’m certified but not listed on EC’s “Find a Coach” directory — why?
Common reasons include:
Inactive Coach Status Only coaches with an active Coach Status appear in the directory.
Consent not provided Coaches must grant permission for EC to display their information.
I completed courses in ECampus but my NCCP points aren’t showing — why?
Consent to share your information with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) not given. You may have forgotten to check the box that gives EC permission to share your information with CAC. Please follow these steps:
in the right top corner click on your name > click on Edit My Profile
Review the NCCP professional development points
Review terms of use o Enter your NCCP/Locker account number
Click “save”
Please note that the system is updated once per month, if after completing the steps above and after one month your points are still not showing in your account, please contact us at coaching@albertaequestrian.com or EC at coaching@equestrian.ca.
