1.  What pre-requisites do I need in order to take the Instruction Beginner CanSkate course?
In order to attend the Instruction Beginner CanSkate course, the minimum requirements are:
  a) Passed all three (dance, skills and freeskate) Preliminary STARSkate tests
  b) Passed at least one Jr. Bronze test (dance, skills or freeskate)
  c) Be at least 16 years of age at the time of the course
  d) Be a current registered member of Skate Canada

2.  Does the Instruction Beginner CanSkate course include the Introduction to Competition Part A?
Yes, the Instruction Beginner Phase 1 CanSkate course includes the Introduction to Competition Part A.

3.  When I complete the CanSkate course, am I qualified to coach CanSkate?
no, after you complete the CanSkate course you are not yet qualified to coach CanSkate.  You will be given a CanSkate Assignment at the course, and this assignment must be successfully completed prior to being able to register as a Skate Canada coach.  Once you receive a CanSkate certificate from your Section you will then be able to register as a Skate Canada professional coach.

4.  Where do I send my CanSkate assignment to be marked?
Once completed, your CanSkate assignment is to be sent to your Learning Facilitator of the CanSkate course.  The learning facilitator will provide you with this information during the course.

5.  What does a CanSkate trained status mean?
A CanSkate Trained status means that the Coach has attended the CanSkate course and successfully completed the CanSkate assignment.  A CanSkate Trained Coach has two years from the time they first register as a coach with Skate Canada to become CanSkate Certified or Primary STARSkate coach trained.

6.  How do I become a CanSkate certified coach?
To become a certified CanSkate coach you must complete the Instruction Beginner Certified CanSkate Coach portfolio, which includes:
  a) Observe three CanSkate sessions with a mentor Coach
  b) Complete the Observation diary pages
  c) Develop a CanSkate group lesson plan and relevant Emergency Action Plan
  d) Teach the group lesson plan in front of your mentor Coach
  e) Outline a CanSkate session on paper

7.  Where do I find resources needed to become CanSkate certified?
The resources needed for Coaches to become CanSkate certified are accessible to download from the Members Only site under the Coaching main menu at www.skatecanada.ca.  A coach must contact their Section office to obtain the name and contact information of an approved mentor coach in their area.
(The portfolio is available on Members Only > Coaching > NCCP > NCCP Instruction Beginner)

8.  I was a CanSkate Coach years ago and stopped coaching, do I need to retake the CanSkate course?
This will really depend on how long ago the course was taken.  It would be recommended that a coach attend an update clinic or audit a course to become familiar with all of the changes to the CanSkate program.

Primary STARSkate

1.  What is the Primary STARSkate Home Study, and what does it involve?
The Primary STARSkate Home Study is the first step after the CanSkate course when Coaches would like to continue their training and become Primary STARSkate Certified.  The Home Study can be ordered when you register for the CanSkate Course, or can be ordered through the Section office.  If the Home Study is ordered when registered for the CanSkate course, the Coach will be given their Home Study at the CanSkate course.

2.  What are the pre-requisites to take the Primary STARSkate Technical Coach course?
The pre-requisites for the Primary STARSkate Coaching Course are:
  a) Must be CanSkate trained or Certified
  b) Completed all three (skills, dance, and freeskate) Junior Bronze STARSkate tests
  c) Successfull completion of the Primary STARSkate Home Study
  d) Must be a registered member of Skate Canada

3.  How do I become Primary STARSkate Certified?
In order to be considered Primary STARSkate Certified one must:
  a) Complete the Primary STARSkate technical course
  b) Register as a Coach with Skate Canada
  c) Complete 50 hours of practice coaching (minimum 40 hours on ice) after the Primary STARSkate technical course
  d) Submit three different 15 minute video lessons at the Primary (prelim or Jr) STARSkate Level:
      a. 15 minute stroking or skating skills lesson
      b. 2 additional 15 min lessons based on the following selections: jumps, spins, interpretive, dance, synchro and pairs

4.  Where do I send my videos for Primary STARSkate?
You must contact Skate Canada for contact information of the National Video Evaluator.  Please provide Skate Canada with the section in which you are currently coaching when requesting the video evaluator information.  The request MUST be emailed to coaching&programs@skatecanada.ca

5.  I have completed all the requirements for Primary STARSkate certification, where do I send my information?
Please send your information to your Section Course Administrator.

6.  Can a Primary STARSkate Certified Coach teach Synchro?
A Primary STARSkate coach may teach a Synchro team, however they may not be able to attend certain events with the team (please refer to the coach accreditation policy in the rule book).

7.  Who can Coach STARSkate?
A coach who has successfully completed their Primary STARSkate technical course may coach STARSkate lessons.

8.  I was a Level 1 Certified Coach ten years ago and would like to start coaching again. What is my next step?
The "old NCCP Level 1" has evolved into Primary STARSkate Certified.  As long as the full certification was achieved, the coach must only meet current registration requirements.  We would recommend that a coach who was out of the sport for a few years attend an update clinic or mentor with another coach.

ISPC

1.  What does ISPC mean, and what is it?
ISPC is the Intermediate STARSkate/Provincial Coach training.  This is considered the "old NCCP Level 2".

2.  What is the first requirement for ISPC?
A coach must have obtained the Primary STARSkate Trained status as a minimum prior to commencing the ISPC program.  A coach must successfully complete the ISPC Home Study prior to commencing the remaining courses.

3.  Can I take any course, after I complete my Home Study?
No.  A coach must first complete the Sport Science and Stroking/Skating Skills course before attending the discipline specific courses.

4.  What do I need to complete the multi-sport modules for ISPC, and which ones?
A coach at this level is no longer required to complete the introduction to competition multi-sport modules (part B) - effective September 13, 2010.

5.  When am I considered an ISPC trained coach?
A coach achieves the trained status once all five technical courses and six technical workbooks of the program have been completed.

6.  Who do I send my workbooks to after I have completed them?
The workbooks should be sent to the learning facilitator who trained you for a particular ISPC course.  The video for the practical component must also be submitted to the learning facilitator who trained you in the discipline you are certifying.

7.  How do I become ISPC certified?
A coach must complete the practical requirements of their chosen discipline in order to become ISPC certified.

8.  I have completed my ISPC requirements for ISPC certified, where do I send my information?
The coach would send the information to the Section Course Administrator.

Level 3

1.  Is there a deadline for Level 3?
There is no deadline for a coach to achieve the NCCP Level 3 certification.  (A coach must be Level 3 certified if they have an athlete attending the Canadian Championships - check the accreditation policy).

2.  Where do I find information on the Competition Development modules?
This information is available on the Provincial Sport websites.  In order to obtain the Level 3 certification, a coach must complete four of the six modules.