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Nordic ski instructor

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1°. Defining the activity

The Nordic ski instructor supervises this discipline and its safety-derived activities. He conducts a teaching approach throughout the snowy mountain environment in the middle mountains, on hilly terrain excluding any accident of terrain and at altitude on slopes prepared for this practice, marked and groomed located on identical reliefs.

Cross-country skiing is defined as a snow-sliding or moving activity, mainly generated by the skier's muscular strength alone and practiced with any type of equipment leaving the heel of the shoe free and on the usual terrain dedicated to this Practice.

To go further : Appendix VIII of the decree of 26 April 2013 relating to the specific training of the State Diploma of National Ski-Monitor of Nordic Cross-Country Ski.

2°. Professional qualifications

a. National requirements

National legislation

The Nordic ski instructor activity is subject to the application of Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, which requires specific certifications.

As a sports teacher, the alpine ski instructor must hold a diploma, a professional title or a certificate of qualification:

  • guaranteeing its competence in terms of the safety of practitioners and third parties in the physical or sports activity under consideration;
  • registered in the National Register of Professional Certifications (RNCP). For more information, it is advisable to refer to the RNCP website .

Foreign diplomas may be admitted in equivalence to French diplomas by the Minister responsible for sports, after the opinion of the Commission for the Recognition of Qualifications placed with the Minister.

To go further Articles A. 212-1 Appendix II-1, L. 212-1 and R. 212-84 of the Code of Sport.

Good to know: the specific environment

Nordic skiing, regardless of the area of evolution, is an activity in a specific environment involving compliance with specific safety measures. Therefore, only organizations under the tutelage of the Ministry of Sport can train future professionals.

To go further Articles L. 212-2 and R. 212-7 of the Code of Sport.

Training

State Ski Diploma - Nordic National Ski Instructor

The State Diploma of National Nordic Cross-Country Ski Instructor is registered at Level III of the National Register of Professional Certifications (RNCP).

This diploma is issued at the end of a course comprising a general cycle common to the teaching, coaching and training of mountain sports and specific training for Nordic cross-country skiing. The programmes respect the principle of alternation based on the articulation of learning periods in training centers and professional situations under pedagogical tutoring.

The training is provided by the National School of Mountain Sports (ENSM), site of the National Centre for Nordic and Medium Mountain Skiing (CNSNMM). For more information, please visit the website CNSNMM .

Applicants who wish to apply for validation of the experience for graduation must have met the technical ability test and have obtained the first cycle (see below "Training Course").

To go further Articles D. 212-68 and the following articles of the Code of Sport; Article 28 of the decree of 26 April 2013 relating to the specific training of the State Diploma of National Nordic Cross-Country Ski Instructor.

Prerogatives

The State Diploma of Nordic Ski Instructor certifies the skills required for the supervision, animation, teaching and safety training of Nordic skiing and its spin-off activities.

It allows its owner to practice in the middle mountains, on hilly terrain excluding any major terrain accidents. The Nordic cross-country ski instructor supervises, independently and independently, with any type of Nordic cross-country ski equipment and with any type of gear derived from this equipment, the following activities:

  • The northern walk lasting up to one day on the cross-country ski slopes;
  • Nordic hiking lasting one or more days, on the slopes or off the cross-country ski slopes. In the event that the hike lasts several days, the overnight accommodation is arranged in a guarded structure or shelter;
  • The Nordic raid lasting one or more consecutive days in full or non-complete autonomy;
  • cross-country skiing, derived from the competitive form of Nordic cross-country skiing, which is practiced on cross-country ski slopes and can also be practiced at altitude on slopes prepared for this practice, marked and groomed, located on hilly terrain excluding all major terrain accident.

To go further Article 1 of the 26 April 2013 decree on the specific training of the State Diploma of National Nordic Cross-Country Ski Instructor.

Good to know

Activities derived from Nordic skiing cover the various elements that define cross-country skiing (see supra "1 definition"). In addition to the usual forms of cross-country nordic skiing (Nordic walk, hiking, raiding), the most frequently practiced spin-off activities are biathlon, ski jumping and Nordic combined, telemarking, snowshoeing, Nordic skiercross, Nordic walking on snow.

To go further : Appendix VIII of the decree of 26 April 2013 relating to the specific training of the State Diploma of National Ski-Monitor of Nordic Cross-Country Ski.

Training unwinding

The training is preceded by a technical access test including a performance test and a technical demonstration event. This course takes place in the following chronological order:

  • The preparatory cycle of a minimum of 70 hours spread over two weeks;
  • The awareness-raising training course lasting a minimum of 25 days;
  • The technical capacity test
  • the first four-week cycle consisting of three training units (UF) to be followed in the following order:- First, the UF "fundamentals of the teaching of nordic cross-country skiing and its derived activities" lasting a minimum of 70 hours spread over two weeks,
    • then the UF "safety 1 Nordic cross-country skiing and activities derived in mountain environment" and the UF "professional environment", of a minimum duration of 35 hours spread over a week, can be followed in the desired order,
    • The application course, which lasts a minimum of 25 days;
  • the second five-week cycle, consisting of three UFs that must be followed in the following chronological order:- UF "competitive practices of nordic cross-country skiing and its spin-off activities" lasting a minimum of 35 hours spread over one week,
    • UF "technical and pedagogical mastery of the teaching of nordic cross-country skiing and its spin-off activities" of 70 hours spread over two weeks,
    • UF "safety 2 nordic cross-country skiing and drift-derived activities in snowy mountain environments" lasting a minimum of 70 hours spread over two weeks.

To go further Article 2 of the decree of 26 April 2013 relating to the specific training of the State Diploma of National Nordic Cross-Country Ski Instructor.

Conditions of access to the technical access test

The person concerned must:

  • Be 17 years old on 31 December of the calendar year in which this test takes place;
  • Provide a registration application based on a standardized printout with a recent photo ID and a two-sided photocopy of the national ID card or passport;
  • for applicants of French nationality, born from 1979 for men and from 1983 for women, provide a photocopy of the census certificate or the individual certificate of participation in the day of defence and citizenship;
  • for minors, present parental permission or that of the legal guardian;
  • present a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and teaching of skiing less than one year old on the closing date of the first registration;
  • provide three 23 x 16 cm sticker envelopes with the current rate and labelled in the candidate's name and address.

To go further Article 2 and Appendix I of the decree of 26 April 2013 relating to the specific training of the State Diploma of National Nordic Cross-Country Ski Instructor.

Conditions for access to the preparatory cycle

The person concerned must:

  • Be 18 years old at least on the first day of training;
  • Provide a registration application based on a standardized printout with parental permission for minors for outings outside of training time;
  • produce the technical test pass certificate less than three years old on the date of registration;
  • Provide a photocopy of the "Level 1 Civic Prevention and Relief" (PSC 1) or its equivalent;
  • provide a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and teaching of alpine skiing less than one year old on the closing date of the first registration;
  • provide two recent identity photographs, three 23 x 16 cm sticker envelopes, postaged at the current rate and denominated in the candidate's name and address, and a 21 x 29.7 cm sticker envelope stamped at the current rate to send a recommended with acknowledgement.

To go further Article 7 and Appendix II of the April 26, 2013 decree on the specific training of the State Diploma of National Nordic Cross-Country Ski Instructor.

Recycling

Holders of the State Diploma of National Alpine Ski Instructor are subjected every six years to a refresher course organized by the NAMSC, the SITE of the CNSNMM. Recycling must take place before 31 December of the 6th year following graduation or last retraining.

To go further Article 1 of the 26 April 2013 decree on the specific training of the State Diploma of National Nordic Cross-Country Ski Instructor.

State Ski Diploma - Nordic Cross-Country Ski Instructor Specialized in Training

The state diploma of national ski instructor of Nordic cross-country skiing specialized in training is registered at level II of the RNCP.

This diploma is issued at the end of a course comprising a general cycle common to the teaching, coaching and training of mountain sports and specific training for Nordic cross-country skiing. The programmes respect the principle of alternation based on the articulation of learning periods in training centers and professional situations under pedagogical tutoring.

The training is provided by the NMSB, the CNSNMM site.

Applicants who wish to apply for validation of experience (VAE) for the State Diploma of National Nordic Ski Instructor specialized in training must have met the pre-certification requirements and have obtained the "performance optimization in Nordic cross-country skiing and spin-off" training unit.

To go further Articles D. 212-68 and the following articles of the Code of Sport; Articles 2 and 15 of the Order of 26 February 2016 relating to the State Diploma of National Ski-Monitor of Nordic Cross-Country Skiing Specialized in Training.

Prerogatives

The state diploma of national ski instructor of Nordic cross-country skiing specialized in training attests to the skills required in Nordic cross-country skiing and its activities derived for the training, coaching and development of ski racing. It also provides training for the coaches who compete in the training process, as well as the management and promotion of training structures.

To go further Article 1 of the Order of 26 April 2013 relating to the State Diploma of National Ski-Monitor of Nordic Cross-Country Skiing Specialised in Training.

Training unwinding

The total duration of the training course is 490 hours. It takes place in the following chronological order:

  • UF "performance optimization in Nordic cross-country skiing and spin-off activities" lasting 245 hours;
  • The 140-hour field in a situation;
  • UF "manages a 105-hour competitive coach-development training project in nordic cross-country skiing and spin-off activities."

To go further Article 2 of the Decree of 26 February 2016 relating to the State Diploma of National Ski-Monitor of Nordic Cross-Country Skiing Specialising in Training.

Terms of access

The person concerned must:

  • conduct a 2-hour written test to analyze a document or video related to a sequence or training project in cross-country Nordic skiing and spin-off activities. It allows you to check the candidate's knowledge and ability to write a training project;
  • conduct an interview lasting up to 30 minutes, which allows the jury to assess the candidate's ability to establish relationships with the professional and institutional environment of Nordic skiing and its spin-off activities and professional motivation;
  • complete the pre-entry registration requirements, which includes the following documents:- a copy of the state certificate of 1st degree sports educator, "Nordic cross-country ski" option, or the state diploma of national ski-monitor of Nordic cross-country skiing or the exemption granted by the permanent section of cross-country skiing of the Training and the use of the Higher Council of Mountain Sports in specific cases, such as persons holding the state certificate of 1st degree sports educator, "alpine ski" option, or the state diploma of national alpine ski instructor,
    • a certificate from the French Ski Federation (FFS) certifying an FFS points ranking of one hundred and twenty points,
    • a five- to ten-page dossier on the candidate's experience during his or her sporting and professional career, as well as his motivation and professional project,
    • a standardized registration form,
    • A photocopy of an ID,
    • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice, teaching and training of Nordic cross-country skiing dating back less than one year to the closing date of registration,
    • A photo ID,
    • two stamped envelopes.

To go further Article 4 and Appendix I of the Decree of 26 February 2016 relating to the State Diploma of National Nordic Ski Instructor for Nordic Cross-Country Skiing Specialising in Training.

Costs associated with qualification

Training leading to the state diploma of national ski-monitor of Nordic cross-country ski and the state diploma of national ski-monitor of Nordic cross-country ski specialized in training is paid. For more details, it is advisable to get closer to the CNSNMM .

b. EU nationals: for temporary and occasional exercise (Freedom to provide services)

European Union (EU) nationalsEuropean Economic Area (EEA) legally established in one of these states may carry out the same activity in France on a temporary and occasional basis on the condition that he has sent a prior declaration of activity to the prefect of the Department of Isère.

If the activity or training leading there is not regulated in the Member State of origin or the state of the place of establishment, the national must also justify having carried out this activity for at least the equivalent of two full-time years in the in the last ten years prior to the benefit.

European nationals wishing to practise in France on a temporary or occasional basis must have the language skills necessary to carry out the activity in France, in particular in order to guarantee the safety of the activities and its ability to alert emergency services.

To go further Articles L. 212-7 and R. 212-92 to R. 212-94 of the Code of Sport; Article 29-1 of the Decree of 11 April 2012 on the specific training of the State Diploma of National Ski Instructor of Alpine Ski.

c. EU nationals: for a permanent exercise (Freedom of establishment)

A national of an EU or EEA state may settle in France to practice permanently, if he fulfils one of the following four conditions:

If the Member State of origin regulates access or the exercise of the activity:

  • hold a certificate of competency or a training certificate issued by the competent authority of an EU or EEA state that certifies a level of qualification at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France;
  • be the holder of a title acquired in a third state and admitted in equivalence to an EU or EEA state and justify having carried out this activity for at least two years full-time in that state.

If the Member State of origin does not regulate access or the exercise of the activity:

  • justify having been active in an EU or EEA state, full-time for at least two years in the last ten years, or, in the case of part-time exercise, justifying an activity of equivalent duration and holding a certificate qualification issued by the competent authority of one of these states, which attests to a readiness for the exercise of the activity, as well as a level of qualification at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France;
  • be holder of a qualification certificate at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France, issued by the competent authority of an EU or EEA state and sanctioning regulated training aimed at specifically the exercise of all or part of the activities mentioned in Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, consisting of a cycle of study supplemented, if necessary, by vocational training, internship or professional practice.

If the national meets one of the four conditions mentioned above, the qualification requirement required to practise is deemed satisfied.

However, if the professional qualifications of the national differ substantially from the qualifications required in France which would not guarantee the safety of practitioners and third parties, he may be required to submit to an aptitude test or completing an adjustment course (see below "Good to know: compensation measures").

The national must have the knowledge of the French language necessary to carry out his activity in France, in particular in order to guarantee the safety of physical and sporting activities and his ability to alert the emergency services.

To go further Articles L. 212-7 and R. 212-88 to R. 212-90 of the Code of Sport.

3°. Conditions of honorability

It is forbidden to practice as a Nordic cross-country ski instructor in France for persons who have been convicted of any crime or for any of the following offences:

  • torture and acts of barbarism;
  • Sexual assaults;
  • drug trafficking;
  • Endangering others;
  • pimping and the resulting offences;
  • endangering minors;
  • illicit use of substance or plant classified as narcotics or provocation to the illicit use of narcotics;
  • violations of Articles L. 235-25 to L. 235-28 of the Code of Sport;
  • as a punishment complementary to a tax offence: a temporary ban on practising, directly or by person interposed, on behalf of himself or others, any industrial, commercial or liberal profession ( Section 1750 of the General Tax Code).

In addition, no one may teach, facilitate or supervise a physical or sporting activity with minors, if he has been the subject of an administrative measure prohibiting him from participating, in any capacity, in the management and supervision of institutions and bodies subject to legislation or regulations relating to the protection of minors in a holiday and leisure centre, as well as youth groups, or if it has been the subject of an administrative measure to suspend these same functions.

To go further Article L. 212-9 of the Code of Sport.

4°. Qualifications process and formalities

a. Reporting obligation (for the purpose of obtaining the professional sports educator card)

Anyone wishing to practice any of the professions governed by Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport must declare his activity to the prefect of the department of the place where he intends to practice as principal. This declaration triggers the obtaining of a business card.

The declaration must be renewed every five years.

Competent authority

The declaration should be addressed to the Departmental Directorate of Social Cohesion (DDCS) or Departmental Directorate for Social Cohesion and Population Protection (DDCSPP) of the practice department or the main exercise, or directly in line on the official website .

Timeframe

Within one month of filing the declaration file, the prefecture sends an acknowledgement to the registrant. The business card, valid for five years, is then addressed to the registrant.

Supporting documents

The supporting documents to be provided are:

  • Cerfa 12699*02 ;
  • A copy of a valid ID
  • A photo ID
  • A statement on the honour attesting to the accuracy of the information in the form;
  • A copy of each of the diplomas, titles, certificates invoked;
  • A copy of the authorization to practice, or, if necessary, the equivalency of the diploma;
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of the physical or sporting activities concerned, less than one year old.

If you have a return renewal, you should contact:

  • Form Cerfa 12699*02 ;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of the valid review certificate for qualifications subject to the recycling requirement;
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of the physical or sporting activities concerned, less than one year old.

In addition, in all cases, the prefecture will itself request the release of an extract of less than three months from the registrant's criminal record to verify that there is no disability or prohibition of practice.

Cost

Free.

To go further Articles L. 212-11, R. 212-85 and A. 212-176 to A. 212-178 of the Code of Sport.

b. Make a pre-declaration of activity for EU nationals engaged in temporary and occasional activity (LPS)

EU or EEA nationals legally established in one of these states who wish to practise in France on a temporary or occasional basis must make a prior declaration of activity before the first provision of services.

If the claimant wishes to make a new benefit in France, this prior declaration must be renewed.

In order to avoid serious damage to the safety of the beneficiaries, the prefect may, during the first benefit, carry out a preliminary check of the claimant's professional qualifications.

Competent authority

The prior declaration of activity must be addressed to the prefect of the Department of Isère.

Time

Within one month of receiving the declaration file, the prefect notifies the claimant:

  • or a request for further information (in this case, the prefect has two months to give his answer);
  • or a receipt for a service delivery statement if it does not conduct a qualifications check. In this case, service delivery may begin;
  • or that it is conducting the qualifications check. In this case, the prefect then issues the claimant a receipt allowing him to start his performance or, if the verification of the qualifications reveals substantial differences with the professional qualifications required in France, the prefect submits the claimant to an aptitude test (see infra "Good to know: compensation measures").

In all cases, in the absence of a response within the aforementioned deadlines, the claimant is deemed to be legally active in France.

Supporting documents

The activity pre-report file must include:

  • A copy of the declaration form provided in Schedule II-12-3 of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of an ID
  • A copy of the certificate of competency or training title;
  • A copy of the documents attesting that the registrant is legally established in the Member State of the institution and that he does not incur any prohibition, even temporary, from practising (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • in the event that neither the activity nor the training leading to this activity is regulated in the Establishment Member State, a copy of any documents justifying that the registrant has carried out this activity in that State for at least the equivalent of two years full time over the past ten years (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • one of the three documents to choose from (if not, an interview will be held):- A copy of a certificate of qualification issued after training in French,
    • A copy of a French-level certificate issued by a specialized institution,
    • a copy of a document attesting to professional experience acquired in France.

Cost

Free.

Remedies

Any litigation must be exercised within two months of notification of the decision to the relevant administrative court.

To go further Articles R. 212-92 and following, A. 212-182-2 and subsequent articles and Appendix II-12-3 of the Code of Sport.

c. Make a pre-declaration of activity for EU nationals for a permanent exercise (LE)

Any EU or EEA national qualified to carry out all or part of the activities mentioned in Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, and wishing to settle in France, must make a statement to the prefect of the department in which he intends exercise as a principal.

This declaration allows the registrant to obtain a professional card and thus to practice legally in France under the same conditions as French nationals.

The declaration must be renewed every five years.

In the event of a substantial difference from the qualification required in France, the prefect may refer the qualifications recognition committee to the Minister for Sport for advice. They may also decide to subject the national to an aptitude test or an accommodation course (see below: "Good to know: compensation measures").

Competent authority

The declaration must be addressed to the prefect of the Department of Isère.

Time

The prefect's decision to issue the business card comes within three months of the submission of the full file by the registrant. This period may be extended by one month on a reasoned decision. If the prefect decides not to issue the professional card or to subject the declarant to a compensation measure (fitness test or internship), his decision must be motivated.

Supporting documents for the first declaration of activity

The activity report file should include:

  • A copy of the declaration form provided in Schedule II-12-2-a of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of a valid ID
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of physical or sporting activities, less than one year old (translated by a certified translator);
  • A copy of the certificate of competency or training title, accompanied by documents describing the training course (program, hourly volume, nature and duration of internships carried out), translated into French by a certified translator;
  • If so, a copy of any evidence justifying work experience (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • If the training document has been obtained in a third state, copies of the documents attesting that the title has been admitted as an equivalency in an EU or EEA state that regulates the activity;
  • one of the three documents to choose from (if not, an interview will be held):- A copy of a certificate of qualification issued after training in French,
    • A copy of a French-level certificate issued by a specialized institution,
    • A copy of a document attesting to professional experience acquired in France;
  • documents attesting that the registrant was not the subject of any of the convictions or measures referred to in Articles L. 212-9 and L. 212-13 of the Code of Sport (translated into French by a certified translator) in the Member State of origin.

Evidence for a renewal of activity declaration

The activity renewal file must include:

  • A copy of the return renewal form, modeled on Schedule II-12-2-b of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of physical or sporting activities, less than one year old.

Cost

Free.

Remedies

Any litigation must be exercised within two months of notification of the decision to the relevant administrative court.

To go further Articles R. 212-88 to R. 212-91, A. 212-182 and Schedules II-12-2-a and II-12-b of the Code of Sport.

d. Compensation measures

If there is a substantial difference between the qualification of the applicant and that required in France to carry out the same activity, the prefect refers the commission for recognition of qualifications, placed with the Minister in charge of sports. This commission, after reviewing and investigating the file, issues, within the month of its referral, a notice which it sends to the prefect.

In its opinion, the commission can:

  • believe that there is indeed a substantial difference between the qualification of the registrant and that required in France. In this case, the commission proposes to subject the registrant to an aptitude test or an adjustment course. It defines the nature and precise modalities of these compensation measures (the nature of the tests, the terms of their organisation and evaluation, the period of organisation, the content and duration of the internship, the types of structures that can accommodate the trainee, etc.) ;
  • that there is no substantial difference between the qualification of the registrant and that required in France.

Upon receipt of the commission's opinion, the prefect notifies the registrant of his reasoned decision (he is not obliged to follow the commission's advice):

  • If the registrant requires compensation, he or she has one month to choose between the aptitude test and the accommodation course. The prefect then issues a business card to the registrant who has complied with the compensation measures. On the other hand, if the course or the aptitude test is not satisfactory, the prefect notifies his reasoned decision to refuse to issue the professional card to the person concerned;
  • if he does not require compensation, the prefect issues a business card to the person concerned.

To go further Articles R. 212-90-1 and R. 212-92 of the Code of Sport.

e. Remedies

French assistance centre

The ENIC-NARIC Centre is the French centre for information on academic and professional recognition of diplomas.

Solvit

SOLVIT is a service provided by the National Administration of each Member State of the European Union or party to the EEA agreement. Its aim is to find a solution to a dispute between an EU national and the administration of another of these states. SOLVIT intervenes in particular in the recognition of professional qualifications.

Conditions

The person concerned can only use SOLVIT if he establishes:

  • that the public administration of one EU state has not respected its rights under EU law as a citizen or business of another EU state;
  • that it has not already initiated legal action (administrative action is not considered as such).
Procedure

The national must complete a online complaint form .

Once his file has been submitted, SOLVIT contacts him within a week to request, if necessary, additional information and to verify that the problem is within his competence.

At the end of the 10-week period, SOLVIT presents a solution:

  • If this solution resolves the dispute over the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed;
  • if there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
Supporting documents

To enter SOLVIT, the national must communicate:

  • Full contact details
  • Detailed description of his problem
  • all the evidence in the file (for example, correspondence and decisions received from the relevant administrative authority).
Time

SOLVIT is committed to finding a solution within ten weeks of the day the case was taken over by the SOLVIT centre in the country in which the problem occurred.

Cost

Free.

More information

SOLVIT in France: General Secretariat for European Affairs, 68 rue de Bellechasse, 75700 Paris ( official website ).