Coach's Guide to Skate Canada Coach Membership and Accreditation 2026-27

Coaches must hold one of three Skate Canada NCCP statuses: In-Training, Trained or Certified, at the CanSkate, CanPowerSkate, Regional, Provincial or National level. The Coach Membership Policy sets the minimum for good standing as CanSkate In-Training status or higher, or being a CanPowerSkate Coach.

• Deadline: CanSkate, CanPowerSkate and Regional coaches must certify within three years of their In-Training status. Coaches who miss it may need to retrain, pay additional fees or expenses, and are considered not in good standing.
• Maintenance: certified coaches must renew in the Locker by earning professional development (PD) points under the Coaching Association of Canada's Maintenance of Certification Policy. Coaches who do not renew show "not renewed" and must earn the missing PD points.

Source: Professional Coach Membership Procedure; Coach Membership Policy (last updated 17 July 2024).

A current first aid certificate is required for good standing. It must meet all of these:

• The course is at least 6 hours.
• It is primarily first aid. CPR-only courses are not accepted.
• It includes an in-person, hands-on practical component and a written exam. A blended format (online theory plus in-person practical) is acceptable.
• The certificate expires no more than three years after completion.

Coaches whose licensed profession requires first aid (for example firefighters, nurses, police officers and paramedics) can be exempt by providing current licences or certificates with expiry dates. Skate Canada may also request a letter from the licensing body.

To submit it, email the certificate to Skate Canada with "First Aid" as the subject line and your Skate Canada number in the body.

Source: Professional Coach Membership Procedure.

• Screening is required for coaches 18 and older, every three years, and the coach pays all fees.
• It must be completed through BackCheck's Skate Canada coach portal and show a status of "Clear". Results from other organizations are not accepted.
• BackCheck sends results directly to Skate Canada, which updates the coach's profile when the result is clear.
• Skate Canada may refuse an application or mark a coach as not in good standing based on screening results.
• Coaches must immediately disclose any circumstances that could reasonably change their screening status.
• Coaches under 18 get a temporary expiry date that ends one month after their 18th birthday, allowing time to complete the screening.
• Clubs and skating schools must still run their own hiring process, including reference checks.

Source: Professional Coach Membership Procedure; Coach Membership Policy.

• Code of Ethics: complete "The Code of Ethics: Coaches" eLearning module annually through the Coach Dashboard.
• Respect in Sport Activity Leader Training: complete it through the Coach Dashboard and re-certify every three years.

Both are requirements for good standing, along with registration, NCCP status, first aid and screening. Coaches are expected to create a sporting environment free of harassment, abuse, bullying and neglect, on and off the ice.

Source: Professional Coach Membership Procedure; Coach Membership Policy (last updated 17 July 2024).

Clubs and skating schools must monitor and ensure that all Skate Canada coaches are in good standing while coaching, and that coaches deliver program curriculum in accordance with current standards. They must also confirm insurance for non-coach instructors at seminars or off-ice classes, and still run their own hiring process, including reference checks.

Coaches must show proof of current NCCP status when asked by club board members, skating school representatives or competition volunteers, and must keep their own records current.

The Coach Eligibility Tool does not track professional development points. Those can be checked on the public Locker transcripts using the coach's name and NCCP number.

Source: Professional Coach Membership Procedure; Club and Skating School Operating Requirements (22 July 2025).

Under the Competitions rules (2.2, 2.3), resident coaches must be registered Skate Canada coaches in Good Standing and hold the NCCP status set out in the Coach Accreditation Policy. Non-resident coaches must also meet that policy. A coach who wants to compete must register as a Registrant through a club or skating school.

Under the Coach Accreditation Policy for Skate Canada Qualifying Events (updated 13 August 2025):

• All requirements must be valid before the event and on-site during it.
• The required NCCP status depends on the competition category and event.
• A coach in good standing who is working toward NCCP certification may obtain a one-time exemption during one skating season.
• A coach with NCCP in-training or trained status may get temporary accreditation if their NCCP status aligns with the competition category and the Skate Canada event.
• An exemption request must be submitted to the Section for consideration and approval by Skate Canada.
• For Canada Games and international events, requirements must be met at time of competition entry and on-site.

Source: Skate Canada Rule Book, Competitions (14 July 2026); Coach Accreditation Policy for Skate Canada Qualifying Events.

The Rule Book updates effective July 1, 2026 say:

• Coaches with a CanSkate or PowerSkate NCCP status may now serve as any type of official if they meet the promotion prerequisites.
• Coaches with a Regional or higher NCCP status may only serve as STAR 1-4 Event Assessors, Base Level Technical Officials, Technical Controllers and Technical Specialists.

The Officials rule on conflict of interest (section 4) was also updated for clarity.

Source: Skate Canada Notice Board, Rule Book Updates Effective July 1, 2026.

A non-resident coach is one residing outside Canada. Such a coach may coach on Skate Canada ice for one continuous period of two months or less within a registration year without NCCP status.

Steps:

1. Contact Skate Canada's Safe Sport Manager to start an international screening through Sterling Backcheck.
2. Once cleared, a profile is created. Before coaching, pay the coach registration fee, complete the Code of Ethics eLearning module, complete Respect in Sport Activity Leader Training, and email proof of valid First Aid certification.

The request must be approved by Safe Sport and the Performance Excellence Department before the fee is paid and before coaching begins.

For domestic Skate Canada qualifying events, a non-resident coach who is not a registered Skate Canada coach in good standing must provide proof of valid screening from their home country before travelling.

Source: Professional Coach Membership Procedure; Coach Accreditation Policy for Skate Canada Qualifying Events (13 August 2025).

Failure to comply may lead to disciplinary action, including limited privileges or termination of membership, and a penalty fee may apply (Coach Membership Policy).

Specific points from the procedure:

• A coach who misses the three-year NCCP certification deadline may need to retrain, pay additional fees or expenses, and is considered not in good standing.
• Skate Canada may refuse an application or mark a coach as not in good standing based on screening results.
• Skate Canada generally does not issue refunds once the registration fee is paid.
• If a club or skating school loses in-good-standing status, Skate Canada may appoint coaches or administrators to run the club or school on an interim basis where permitted.

Source: Skate Canada Coach Membership Policy; Professional Coach Membership Procedure; Club and Skating School Operating Requirements.