Welcome! This guide will walk you through the steps to become EC NCCP certified in equestrian sport.
STEP 1: Choose Your Coaching Context and Purchase Your AEF Membership
- Instructor: Focuses on foundational riding and horsemanship for beginners.
- Competition Coach (CC): Prepares riders for entry-level competitions.
- Competition Coach Specialist (CCS): Coaches competitive athletes at the national level in a specific discipline.
Learn more about the contexts here.
Purchase your AEF Membership here.
STEP 2: Complete Your Learn to Ride/Drive Certificate
If required for your context, this is a prerequisite and may take some time to complete.
- Manuals: Purchase Learn to Ride manuals here, including the Stable Management manual (strongly recommended for exam prep).
- Assessors: View the live list of approved assessors here. If no one is available in your area, check back regularly for updates.
- Booking: Contact the assessor directly to schedule your assessment. Once confirmed, follow the application process on our website here.
Want to Challenge a Level?
You can challenge a level by:
- Completing all written exams up to the level you’re challenging
- Completing Stable Management for that level
- Riding only the highest level challenged
You’ll receive only the highest certificate passed (e.g., Level 8 if successful). The fee is $25 per certificate. Assessors may also charge additional fees—please confirm with them in advance.
STEP 3: Complete Required Training Modules
- NCCP Make Ethical Decisions Online Evaluation
Complete this online evaluation in The Locker - Concussion Awareness Module
Access through your My-EC account - Prevention of Maltreatment in Sport
Also completed through your My-EC account - Registered Coach Status
This is the minimum requirement to be evaluated. If you already hold Licensed Coach Status, that is also accepted.
STEP 4: Book Your Evaluation
Two options are currently available:
- In-Person Evaluation
- Cohort Evaluation (online group format)
- Please note that some Equestrian-Specific modules are built into the Cohort.
Find out more about these evaluation options here.
Additional Information
Training Platforms by Module Type
- Multisport Module – Alberta Sport Calendar: NCCP MULTI-SPORT CALENDAR | Alberta Sport
- Equestrian-Specific Modules: https://www.equestrian.ca
Additional Resources
Stay Updated: Sign up for our Coach e-News to receive coaching program updates here. We typically send only two to three emails per year.
Coaching Handbook and Resources (CHAR): This online, self-paced tool helps candidates understand the process and steps to become an NCCP instructor/coach. Request access to CHAR here – available to AEF members only.