Application Procedures for Certified and
Provisional Trainers

Throughout the 2020 competition year, the Trainer Certification Program will undergo a transition period to further develop the program to better mold and define the abilities of our professionals. During this restructuring, the current TCP program will take a brief hiatus to return with an updated format for application, participation, and renewal.

As the Trainer Certification Program undergoes this redesign, currently Certified and Provisional trainers will maintain their certification status through their renewal year.  Current open applications to the TCP program will remain active through November 30, 2020. 

Application Process

Applications for entry into the TCP program are closed as of December 1.  For applications submitted prior to December 1, the following application deadlines apply: 

• All required application materials must be completed and submitted for review by January 15, May 15, or August 15
• Application packets will be reviewed for approval and applicants will be notified of their approval status via email
• Applicants approved by the committee must submit the $200 final exam fee within 30 days of approval notice
• Approved applicants must complete the final exam with a score of 85% or higher by November 30, 2020
• Applicants will be notified of their official certification status by email

Application Requirements

The following application requirements must be completed in their entirety by the end of the 2020 competition year.

Click here to view the TCP application flow chart.

Letters of Recommendation

Submit three TCP Recommendation Forms completed on your behalf by professional trainers who can speak to the specifics of your abilities as a teacher, rider and trainer of students and horses at a variety of levels are equally important factors. The TCP Committee also reserves the right to request input from other professionals in an applicant's geographic area.

• The recommendations must be from full-time, active professional trainers within the hunter/jumper industry who have working knowledge of the applicant’s current riding, teaching and training abilities for at least the past three years.
• References must be current Active/Competing USHJA members in good standing and declared professional with USEF.
• It is important that the references can comment on the applicant’s abilities with a variety of levels of riders and horses.
• Recommendations may not be submitted from a family member, an employee, or a professional that provides a service for your business (e.g., veterinarian, farrier, et cetera).

Background Check

All TCP candidates are required to undergo a criminal background check with Coeus Global before their application is reviewed for certification. It may take up to 4 weeks for your background check to be completed. Please be aware that your background check fee is non-refundable and may vary by State. Click here to request access to complete the background check. USEF background checks will not be accepted. 

Safe Sport Training

All TCP applicants will be required to complete Safe Sport Training. You can review information regarding the Safe Sport Initiative and USEF Safe Sport Policy here.

You can complete your free Safe Sport Training here. The USEF access code is 7MNA-86XI-FX4E-9GAN. Applicants will be required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Awareness Education, Mandatory Reporting and Emotional and Physical Misconduct modules in order to complete the training.

*If you are not yet registered for Safe Sport, or if you registered after April 15, the above three modules have been combined into one 90-minute course titled "Safe Sport Trained"

Resume

Submit resume via email to ushjatcp@ushja.org. Resumes are limited to 900 words or less and must fit on no more than two pages. Your resume must include the following information:

• Date range of employment
• Position
• Address
• Brief description of position
• Employer contact’s name and phone number

Outline and chronologically document your full time professional employment as a riding teacher and/or trainer. Please begin with your current position and work backwards by year. Awards and results need to be specifically and separately listed.

You may present a second outline of alternative or non-teaching training experiences in addition to the above required format of your professional teaching/training experiences. This is optional.

Insurance

Submit a copy of your certificate of commercial/professional liability insurance via email to ushjatcp@ushja.org.

The official certificate of liability insurance must be requested from and issued by your insurance agent. The certificate must list your full name and coverage must include commercial general liability. The coverage must be in place and remain valid throughout the entire application and certification process. Please note, personal liability insurance offered through US Equestrian Federation membership is not an acceptable form of insurance for TCP application and maintenance requirements since it specifically excludes liability arising out of business or professional activities. USHJA requires that Certified Trainers be covered for their professional activities under a commercial/professional liability insurance policy.

Click here for more information regarding requirements for adequate proof of insurance.

Concussion Awareness Video

All TCP candidates are required to complete the Concussion Awareness video and quiz. To access the free concussion video, click here. Applicants will be required to complete a short quiz with a score of 100% following the video. You are permitted to take the quiz as many times you wish.  Note: occasionally the video and/or quiz do not load on some Apple products.  If you experience this issue, please try another device.

Education

Complete one of the following:

• Attend the entirety of a TCP Clinic
• Complete the Online Trainer Certification Course

For more information about the new trainer education program, click here