Did you know?
All Alberta cheerleading coaches must hold valid ACA certification for the level they are coaching.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Please contact us at coach@albertacheerleading.ca and let us know how we can help.
The ACA is pleased to offer Scholastic Cheer Coach Certification to coaches in Alberta. Our ACA-certified facilitators are cheerleading professionals who bring their knowledge, experience, integrity, and unbiased commitment to coach education in our province.
The ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certification Program is intended to increase the knowledge of safe and reputable technical standards to promote the growth of the sport. A coach must understand the rules that govern the sport, basic skill knowledge competency, skill progressions and the ability to make sound judgement calls when instructing.
Scholastic certification courses are offered every season in the fall (September – November) and the spring (April – June). Courses are not offered during the summer months or competition season; therefore, it is important that coaches are aware of their certification expiry dates and plan accordingly to ensure their coaching requirements are current and appropriate for the level of team(s) they are coaching.
ACA Certification must be renewed every 3 years.
Note for parents of minor coaches (under 18 years):
o All new and/or young coaches benefit from the guidance and mentorship of adults, be it parents, experienced athletes, coaches, or teachers. Having said that, it is important for coaches to take on the responsibility for their own coaching path and communicate directly with the Coaching Coordinator. Coaches must provide their own contact information (e.g.: email, phone number) and be prepared (albeit with adult guidance if needed) to participate directly in their certification process.
What are the steps to becoming a Certified Scholastic Cheer Coach?
Select a level to learn more:
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Beginner + Novice Coach
STEP 1: Ensure you meet the prerequisites for Scholastic Cheer Coach Certification.
1. 16 years of age or older.
2. Understand the rules that govern the sport of cheerleading in Alberta, basic skill knowledge competency, skill progressions, and the ability to provide sound judgement when instructing.
3. Current registration as a Coach-in-Training (CIT) or Coach member with the ACA and Cheer Canada.
NOTE: if you have never been certified as a coach, you must register as a CIT member first until coach requirements are satisfied and the ACA has approved your coach status. See STEP 6.
STEP 2: Complete ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certification.
1. Register for the course through the ACA’s webpage.
o Course cost is $102.00.
2. Complete the Rules & Regulations Online Exam.
o You must use only ONE email account to complete the exam. The email used should be the same one you registered with.
3. Attend the Level 1 Coach Course (9:00 am to 5:00 pm).
4. Complete the Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) with an ACA-certified facilitator. The ACA will contact you to schedule the assessment.
STEP 3: Complete all ACA-required NCCP courses.
1. NCCP Safe Sport Training (Respect in Sport is also accepted)
2. NCCP Making Head Way in Sport.
3. NCCP Make Ethical Decisions.
TIP: These courses can be completed before or during your certification process but MUST be completed to be approved as a coach. Please contact the ACA if you need assistance in finding a course date.
STEP 4: Complete First Aid.
Complete an in-person First Aid / CPR (minimum CSA Basic - Level A CPR + AED) course. You will be required to upload your first aid certificate to your ACA coach membership profile and ensure that it is always current.
STEP 5: Provide a Record Check.
Coaches who are 18 years of age and older must provide a clean Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector. You will be required to upload your record check to your ACA coach membership profile. Presently, record checks are valid for three (3) years from the date of the document.
ACA members are welcome to use the ACA’s record check provider at a discounted rate of $25. Please email coach@albertacheerleading.ca to request an application.
STEP 6: ACA Coach Membership.
1. If you were first designated as a CIT member, once steps 1 to 5 are complete, email the ACA to request a transfer of your membership status from CIT to Coach.
2. ALL coaches, log in to your ACA coach membership profile and provide all required information for the ACA’s review and approval.
STEP 7: Certification.
o Once your coach membership profile is approved, the ACA will issue a PDF of your ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certificate.
STEP 8: Get Coaching!
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Beginner + Novice + Intermediate Coach
STEP 1: Prerequisites for Certification.
o Complete all requirements of Scholastic Cheer Coach Level 1.
STEP 2: Complete ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certification.
1. Register for the course through the ACA’s webpage.
o Course cost is $72.00.
2. Complete the Rules & Regulations Online Exam.
o You must use only ONE email account to complete the exam. The email used should be the same one you registered with.
3. Submit the Practical Field Experience Form (PFE).
o Request your scholastic program advisor submit the PFE on your behalf.
o The form will confirm you have completed 100 hours of coaching at Level 1 within the last 365 days.
4. Attend the Level 2 Coach Course (9:00 am to 12:00 pm).
5. Complete the Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) with an ACA-certified facilitator. The ACA will contact you to schedule the assessment.
STEP 3: Confirmation of Coach Requirements.
o Review all ACA-required courses to ensure you have completed current requirements. These include NCCP courses, First Aid/CPR, and a Criminal Record Check.
o Check all expiry dates to ensure they will not expire while you are coaching. If this is a possibility, update these items before expiry.
STEP 4: ACA Coach Membership.
• Review the accuracy of your coach profile in the ACA membership system and update your profile if needed.
STEP 5: Certification.
o Once your coach membership profile is approved, the ACA will issue a PDF of your ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certificate.
STEP 6: Get Coaching!
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Beginner + Novice + Intermediate + Median + Advanced Coach
STEP 1: Prerequisites for Certification.
o Complete all requirements of Scholastic Cheer Coach Level 2.
STEP 2: Complete ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certification.
1. Register for the course through the ACA’s webpage.
o Course cost is $72.00.
2. Complete the Rules & Regulations Online Exam.
o You must use only ONE email account to complete the exam. The email used should be the same one you registered with.
3. Submit the Practical Field Experience Form (PFE).
o Request your scholastic program advisor submit the PFE on your behalf.
o The form will confirm you have completed 100 hours of coaching at Level 2 within the last 365 days.
4. Attend the Level 3 Coach Course (12:30 pm to 2:30 pm).
5. Complete the Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) with an ACA-certified facilitator. The ACA will contact you to schedule the assessment.
STEP 3: Confirmation of Coach Requirements.
o Review all ACA-required courses to ensure you have completed current requirements. These include NCCP courses, First Aid/CPR, and a Criminal Record Check.
o Check all expiry dates to ensure they will not expire while you are coaching. If this is a possibility, update these items before expiry.
STEP 4: ACA Coach Membership.
• Review the accuracy of your coach profile in the ACA membership system and update your profile if needed.
STEP 5: Certification.
o Once your coach membership profile is approved, the ACA will issue a PDF of your ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certificate.
STEP 6: Get Coaching!
Note: Coaches who have current ICU Advanced (Level 4) all-star credentials may be eligible to receive prior learning recognition for the scholastic Level 3 course. Coaches must submit a copy of their ICU Advanced Level Certificate, successfully complete the Level 3 Renewal Exam, and comply with requirements applicable to all coaches.
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Beginner + Novice + Intermediate + Median + Advanced + Premier Coach
STEP 1: Prerequisites for Certification.
o Complete all requirements of Scholastic Cheer Coach Level 3.
STEP 2: Complete ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certification.
1. Register for the course through the ACA’s webpage.
o Course cost is $65.00.
2. Complete the Rules & Regulations Online Exam.
o You must use only ONE email account to complete the exam. The email used should be the same one you registered with.
3. Submit the Practical Field Experience Form (PFE).
o Request your scholastic program advisor submit the PFE on your behalf.
o The form will confirm you have completed 100 hours of coaching at Level 3 within the last 365 days.
4. Attend the Premier Level Coach Course (3:00 pm to 5:00 pm).
5. Complete the Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) with an ACA-certified facilitator. The ACA will contact you to schedule the assessment.
STEP 3: Confirmation of Coach Requirements.
o Review all ACA-required courses to ensure you have completed current requirements. These include NCCP courses, First Aid/CPR, and a Criminal Record Check.
o Check all expiry dates to ensure they will not expire while you are coaching. If this is a possibility, update these items before expiry.
STEP 4: ACA Coach Membership.
• Review the accuracy of your coach profile in the ACA membership system and update your profile if needed.
STEP 5: Certification.
o Once your coach membership profile is approved, the ACA will issue a PDF of your ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certificate.
STEP 6: Get Coaching!
Note: Coaches who have valid ICU Premier Level (Level 7) all-star credentials may be eligible to receive prior learning recognition for the scholastic Premier Level course. Coaches must submit a copy of their ICU Premier Level Certificate, successfully complete the Premier Level Renewal Exam, and comply with requirements applicable to all coaches.
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Need to renew your certification?
STEP 1: Ensure your certification has not expired.
ACA certification expires 3-years after the date on your certificate.
Coaches must register for the applicable renewal session before their current certification expires.
If your certification has already expired, you are not permitted to complete RENEWAL Certification. You must register for, and complete, NEW Certification for the level you are coaching.
STEP 2: Complete ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Renewal Certification.
1. Register for the RENEWAL Certification through the ACA’s webpage.
o Course cost is $26.00.
2. Complete the Rules & Regulations Online Exam.
o You must use only ONE email account to complete the exam. The email used should be the same one you registered with.
3. Complete the Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) with an ACA-certified facilitator. The ACA will contact you to schedule the assessment.
STEP 3: Confirmation of Coach Requirements.
o Review all ACA-required courses to ensure you have completed current requirements. These include NCCP courses, First Aid/CPR, and a Criminal Record Check.
o Check all expiry dates to ensure they will not expire while you are coaching. If this is a possibility, update these items before expiry.
STEP 4: ACA Coach Membership.
• Review the accuracy of your coach profile in the ACA membership system and update your profile if needed.
STEP 5: Certification.
o Once your coach membership profile is approved, the ACA will issue a PDF of your ACA Scholastic Cheer Coach Certificate.
STEP 6: Get coaching!
Helpful Information
Scholastic Rules & Regulations Online Exam Information
Upon registration, you will receive an email that includes a link to the exam portal. You have two attempts to pass the exam, however, if you are unsuccessful after two attempts, you must wait a period of 3 months to re-register and attempt again.
Practical Field Experience Information + Form (Scholastic)
Required for Level 2+
Coaches certifying at Level 2 or higher are required to provide signed evidence of prior coaching experience through submission of the Practical Field Experience (PFE) Form.
Practical Skills Assessment Information
Helpful Information
Scholastic Cheer Coach Course Registration
Scholastic Rules & Regulations Online Exam Information
Upon registration, you will receive an email that includes a link to the exam portal. You have two attempts to pass the exam, however, if you are unsuccessful after two attempts, you must wait a period of 3 months to re-register and attempt again.
Practical Field Experience (PFE) Information + Form (Scholastic)
Required for Level 2+
Coaches certifying at Level 2 or higher are required to provide signed evidence of prior coaching experience through submission of the Practical Field Experience (PFE) Form.
Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) Information
Upon successful completion of your Rules & Regulations Online Exam, and if applicable, submission of the PFE, the ACA will contact you to schedule your assessment.
If you are unsuccessful, you must wait a period of 3 months to re-register and attempt again.
Coach Tip:
Be sure you have a solid understanding of the technical aspects of skills, how to teach them and how to troubleshoot before your Practical Skills Assessment.
Required Courses & Certificates
NCCP Safe Sport Training (Respect in Sport is also accepted)
Current First Aid + CPR (minimum CSA Basic - Level A CPR + AED)
Current (within 3 years) Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector (those 18+ only)
Points to Remember
ACA Certification must be renewed every 3 years.
For scholastic cheer, you must certify at the previous level before proceeding to the next level.
Alberta Cheerleading Association
coach@albertacheerleading.ca