How do I upgrade categories?

Permanent ability upgrades: you can receive a permanent upgrade in an ability sub-category at any time during the season, most often when you have accumulated enough points. The upgrading criteria are set and administered by your provincial or territorial association. Submit your licence to it for updating; if the update is delayed, it may issue a temporary confirmation letter valid for a maximum of two weeks.

Temporary age or ability upgrades: you can be granted a temporary upgrade to a higher or more difficult category with a letter of endorsement, but only in exceptional circumstances and with the support of an approved NCCP coach and your provincial or territorial association. Your licence must always show your correct UCI age category.

• Provincial events: apply in writing to your provincial or territorial association, which issues a letter valid at provincial calendar events only (or as the letter specifies).
• National or international events: you need written approval from Cycling Canada. Submit a Temporary Age and Ability Upgrade Form, approved by your provincial or territorial association, at least two weeks before the competition. Cycling Canada only considers a move to a higher age category in the last year of eligibility of your present category.

Source: Cycling Canada Licence Memo, 1 December 2025 (issuing of 2026 licences).