Coach status and coaching certification are two core components that share our vision of ensuring a safe environment for all equestrians.
Coach Status vs. NCCP Coaching Certification
Coach Status and Coaching Certification are two independent rankings that work in tandem to verify all safety, screening, and coaching education requirements have been met. Only coaches who are EC NCCP certified AND licensed are permitted to deliver and/or evaluate the Rookie Riders and Learn to Ride & Drive programs.
Coach Status is like a driver’s license; it must be current and renewed in order to instructor/coach. It is the screening process.
Coaching Certification is like a diploma; after successfully passing the evaluation, the instructor/coach is certified for life*. It is the educational process.
* EC NCCP coaches/instructors are required to submit professional development points and have an issued Coach Status (License) to keep their certification current.
Coach Status
The Coach Status Program is the core commitment to Safe Sport and the Responsible Coaching Movement to recognize and identify active coaches within the equestrian community.
What does it mean to be or work with a licensed or registered instructor/coach?
Instructors/coaches who hold an active Coach Status:
have completed safe sport training
are thoroughly screened
are appropriately insured
hold coach certification, or are actively engaged in coach training.
Levels
There are two different levels of screening currently available.
Registered Coach Status: Instructors or coaches who are engaged in coach training but haven’t completed their certification process yet.
Licensed Coach Status: Instructors or coaches who have completed one type of certification, such as NCCP, CHA, Pony Club A, International Trainer Passport, etc.
Coaching Certification
We are dedicated to providing instructors/coaches the necessary tools to make the equestrian experience safe and enjoyable for all participants, horse and human, and to develop excellence in horsemanship.
The Equestrian Canada (EC) National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is developed in partnership with:
What does it mean to be or work with an EC NCCP certified instructor/coach?
The EC NCCP is important as:
It is the only Canadian equestrian sport coaching and instructor certifying program.
It is recognized nationally and internationally for the safety standards.
It provides a structure whereby instructors/coaches can enter and progress as they improve their instructor/coaching expertise.
It improves the level of performance and competence of Canadian equestrian instructors/coaches and their students
FAQ
Do certified coaches have to purchase the Coach Status (licensed or registered)?
The NCCP certification is earned upon completion of the educational process; coaches must then ensure they remain up to date with all the requirements. Equestrian Canada only recognizes coaches as active if they hold a Coach Status (Registered or Licensed) according to the following guidelines:
2021 – No formal requirements at EC sanctioned events. Registered Coach Status recommended.
2022 – Registered Coach Status mandatory at all EC sanctioned events.
2023 – Licensed Coach mandatory at all EC sanctioned Platinum and Gold events. Registered Coach mandatory at EC sanctioned Silver and Bronze events.
2024 – Licensed Coach mandatory at all EC Sanctioned Events.
2025 – Licensed Coach and Certification required at all EC Sanctioned events.
Do I need to have a valid Provincial Sport Organization (PTSO) membership to qualify for a Coach Status?
Yes. To obtain a Coach Status, coaches must maintain an active PTSO membership. Membership validity will be verified at the time of application, issuance, and renewal. It is the responsibility of the coach to ensure that their PTSO membership does not lapse.
Do all requirements need to be completed before applying for Coach Status?
No. Candidates can apply for a Coach Status before completing all of the requirements. However, it is important to note that candidates have only 90 days from the purchase date to complete the requirements. We highly recommend completing the first aid training and vulnerable sector search (when applicable) before applying.
When is the vulnerable sector search required?
A vulnerable sector check is a police information check plus a check to see if a person has a record suspension (pardon) for sexual offences. The search is a one-time requirement only if the candidate was born prior Jan. 1, 2022. An Access to Information Request from the RCMP says that the date of birth belonging to the youngest person with a pardoned sexual offence is Feb. 28, 1986. There are no pardoned sexual offences for candidates born after Feb. 28, 1986. A vulnerable sector search may take up to three months to complete and you must present yourself at the police station. Check this resource from the Coaching Association of Canada for more information on criminal record check and vulnerable sector searches.
Is an EC Sport Licence required for applying for the Coach Status?
Yes. To obtain a Coach Status, EC NCCP Instructors/Coaches must maintain an active EC Sport Licence. Sport Licence validity will be verified at the time of application, issuance, and renewal. It is the responsibility of the coach to ensure that their EC Sport Licence does not lapse. Any level of Sport Licence is permitted for the purpose of holding a Coach Status; coaches are encouraged to purchase the Sport Licence required for other activities (e.g. Horse Recordings, competition, etc.). Check this link for more information on EC Sport Licences.
What are the types of coaching certification accepted by EC for applying for the Licensed Coach Status?
Licensed Coach Status applicants must have validated and recognized expertise through any of the following:
Coaching certification (including NCCP), or
Recognized formal training, or
Post-secondary equine education, or
Over 15 years of coaching experience (over 20 years in 2023).
If you are an NCCP Coach, your record will be automatically recorded in your ECampus. The following is a list of formal training that is currently recognized by Equestrian Canada. A copy of your certificate must be uploaded
IGEQ INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 1
IGEQ INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 2
IGEQ INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 3
CanTRA Coach
CTRII – CanTRA Intermediate Instructor
CTRSI – CanTRA Senior Instructor
Canadian Pony Club – A
CHA Standard Instructor – English: Level Two
CHA Standard Instructor – English: Level Three
CHA Standard Instructor – English: Level Four
CHA Standard Instructor – English: Master Instructor
CHA Standard Instructor – Western: Level Two
CHA Standard Instructor – Western: Level Three
CHA Standard Instructor – Western: Level Four
CHA Standard Instructor – Western: Master Instructor
If you are applying based on over 15 years of coaching experience, you are required to complete a Certification Exemption Form upon Coach Status enrolment. Please note there is a one-time processing fee of $200 for Certification Exemption.
How do candidates prove they have coaching insurance?
The Certificate of Insurance form should be filled out by the candidate’s insurance company. The candidate will be responsible for uploading the filled form to their ECampus as proof of insurance.
How long are the Coach Statuses valid for?
All Coach Statuses are valid for one year from the date they are issued. Please note that any Coach Status is only active if all the documents submitted are up to date. Look at this scenario as an example:
A Coach Status is issued on April 10, 2022
It is valid until April 10, 2023, only if all documents are up to date until that date
First aid certificate expires on Oct. 10, 2022; the Coach Status is no longer active
On Nov. 10, 2022, a new certificate is uploaded into ECampus and approved by EC
Coach Status is restored and valid until April 10, 2023
On April 10, 2023, a new Coach Status will need to be purchased to keep the status valid
Do health care related workers need to provide a first aid certificate?
If you are already working in a first aid field (e.g. as a paramedic), you may substitute a letter from your employer confirming that your first aid skills are up to date.
I’m certified but I’m not listed on EC Find a Coach, why?
There are a couple of reasons:
Inactive or non-existent Coach Status a. EC only recognizes instructors/coaches as active if they hold a valid Coach Status. Only active instructors/coaches are listed in their directory. OR
Find A Coach consent not given a. You may have forgotten to check the box that gives EC permission to share your information in their directory. Please follow these steps:
Login to your My-EC > click on ECampus > in the right top corner click on your name > click on Edit My Profile
Review your profile information and ensure it is correct
I completed courses on my ECampus, but my points weren’t added to my locker, 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:
Login to your My-EC > click on ECampus > 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.
