Coaching Association of Canada

Chartered Professional CoachWhy is it that the CAC offers the ChPC designation and Registered Coach license (rather than, for example, Sport Canada)?

The CAC is dedicated to enhancing the profession of coaching. As the educational and professional body for coaches in Canada, the CAC grants the official designation of ChPC and the Registered Coach license to professionals in the field of coaching.

The CAC provides multiple services to coaches and promotes the integral role coaches play in the success and effectiveness of sport programs and athlete development in Canada. The CAC also regulates coaching and protects the public interest by ensuring its coaches abide by the highest standard of professional and ethical conduct.

What constitutes “Major Games”?

Major Games can be classified as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, Commonwealth Games, or the highest level of competition in your sport, e.g., World Championships.

How do I qualify to become a ChPC coach?

A coach must achieve specific levels in the National Certification Coaching Program (NCCP) or post-secondary education, and coaching experience to be considered for the ChPC designation. The requirements depend on the pathway chosen. Please visit our Eligibility Requirements page for more information.

What is the difference between the ChPC and a Registered Coach?

The ChPC is a professional designation that has requirements in three areas: education, experience, and ethics. The Registered Coach is a license that includes ONLY the ethics requirements, which are:

  • Reference checks
  • Police Information Check
  • Declared ethical conduct
  • Signed License Agreement

Is a post-secondary education required to attain the ChPC designation?

A degree or diploma from a post-secondary institution is not required. There are four pathways, and one of the pathways enables coaches to achieve their ChPC designation by achieving NCCP certification. Please visit our Eligibility Requirements page for more information.

Who can be a reference for application to be a ChPC or Registered Coach?

References are accepted from your NSO (National Sport Organization), your PTSO (Provincial or Territorial Sport Organization), your LSO (Local Sport Organization), or a ChPC in good standing. The references must be past or current employers who can verify your work experience.

I am an NCCP coach. Do I need to apply to attain the ChPC designation or Registered Coach license?

NCCP refers to your coach education and training. The ChPC designation may include NCCP, but it also includes education through experience, references who validate your work experience, and an Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC). So, yes, you need to apply.

How do I become a ChPC or Registered Coach?

There are 3 steps:

  1. Complete the online application that resides in the Locker
  2. Obtain proof of knowledge and experience, a recent and valid Police Information Check, and two references (past or current employers)
  3. Sign the ethical conduct declaration and License Agreement

Is my NCCP number the same as my Professional Coaching number?

Yes, your National Coaching Certification Program number is your professional coaching number and the Locker is the one central database for your educational and Professional Coaching needs. This means that your Locker profile contains all your NCCP, ChPC or Registered Coach information, making the application process more efficient.

I forgot my login credentials. What do I do?

Your login credentials are the same as those you use to access the Locker. You can either use your email or your NCCP# with your password. If you forgot your NCCP#, you can use the Lookup my NCCP# function. If you forgot your password, you can use the Forgot Password? function. (NOTE: These functions only work if you have a current and valid email address on your account.) Or you can email coach@coach.ca or call 613-235-5000 ext. 1 for assistance.

What benefits does the CAC give to coaches who obtain and maintain the eligibility requirements of the ChPC designation and Registered Coach license?

ChPCs and Registered Coaches are entitled to liability insurance, health/dental group benefits, legal counsel, and more. Get the details here.

I submitted my application a while ago and still have not heard anything back. What do I do?

Please contact procoach@coach.ca. There is a chance that your application may have been entered but is missing information that you still need to fill in. We will do our best to find what you need to complete your application and have it passed on to the License and Registration Committee.

I hold a Registered Coach license. How do I obtain my ChPC designation?

If you are currently a Registered Coach, in good standing and you wish to transition to become a Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), you can do so at the time of your renewal by clicking on the Renew and Transition button on your Locker account at no extra cost. A coach must achieve post secondary education or National Coaching Certification Program and coaching experience in order to be considered for the ChPC designation. For details visit the Eligibility Requirements page.

Who can be a reference for my transition to a ChPC?

References are accepted from your NSO (National Sport Organization), your PTSO (Provincial or Territorial Sport Organization), your LSO (Local Sport Organization), or a ChPC in good standing.

How do I renew my Registered Coach license?

Login to the Locker

  1. Click the Professional tab on the left side of your screen
  2. Click on the Renew button and follow the onscreen prompts
  3. Submit a recent and valid Police Information Check (if you current one expired)
  4. Sign the ethical conduct declaration and license agreement

What is the deadline to renew my Registered Coach license?

The annual deadline to renew your Registered Coach license is the anniversary date that you were granted the license. A recent and valid Police Information Check is also required, at minimum, every three years to maintain a status of being in good standing. (TIP: Your anniversary date and your Police Information Check expiry date can be found under the Professional tab of your Locker account.) Visit our Fees page for more information.

How do I remain in good standing?

To be in good standing, you must:

  • Renew your dues annually before your individual renewal deadline (i.e., one year from the date you were granted a license)
  • Have a recent and valid Police Information Check on file (TIP: Your anniversary date and your Police Information Check expiry date can be found under the Professional tab of your Locker account)
  • Sign a Code of Conduct annually
  • Declare your ethical conduct annually
  • Sign the agreement annually

What is a "recent" and "valid" Police Information Check?

One of the following is considered a "recent" and "valid" Police Information Check:

At a minimum, a Canadian Police Information Centre (C-PIC) check or a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSS, VSV, VSC) from your local Canadian police office that has been issued within the last 6 months. Ask them to submit the information check in its original form by mail to the Coaching Association of Canada, Professional Coaching Department, c/o House of Sport, RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON K1H 7X7;

An Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC) through Sterling Talent Solutions that has been issued within the last 6 months; or

An E-PIC from one of Sterling Talent Solutions’ international partners that has been issued within the last 6 months or a Globex or Interpol record check.

I forgot my login credentials. What do I do?

Your login credentials are the same as those you use to access the Locker. You can either use your email or your NCCP# with your password. If you forgot your NCCP#, you can use the Lookup my NCCP# function. If you forgot your password, you can use the Forgot Password? function. (NOTE: These functions only work if you have a current and valid email address on your account.) Or you can email coach@coach.ca or call 613-235-5000 ext. 1 for assistance.

Is my NCCP number the same as my Professional Coaching number?

Yes, your National Coaching Certification Program number is your professional coaching number and the Locker is the one central database for your educational and Professional Coaching needs. This means that your Locker profile contains all your NCCP, ChPC or Registered Coach information, making the application process more efficient.