The USHJA Trainer Certification Program will undergo a restructuring period through 2020. To learn more information or for answers to questions regarding current trainer status, open applications, or renewals, click here.
Program Fees:
Educational Requirements:
Fees vary on the educational effort that the applicant chooses. Applicants must participate in one of the following educational efforts:
Yes. Submit the TCP Manual Order Form to the USHJA office, along with the manual payment of $65.
** The separate purchase of a TCP Manual will not reduce the price of the application fee if you apply to the program at a later time.
A Provisional Trainer is a trainer who has worked as a full-time professional hunter/jumper trainer for at least one year but who has not yet reached the required three full years for certification. A Provisional Trainer will have the opportunity to become a Certified Trainer after he has worked as a full-time professional trainer for at least three years. To request a promotion to Certified Trainer, click here.
The TCP program vaules the importance real, full-time experience. This means 40 hours per week working in the industry acting as a professional at a professionally-operated stable that takes pride in good practices and horsemanship. If the applicant only teaches on a part-time basis, he/she may nto be familiar wiht the most current industry standards. Certified trainers must have had exposure to what goes into all facets of being a professional horseman.
Yes, professionals who currently reside and train in the US or Canada may apply to the program, provided they meet all of the applicant requirements.
USHJA does not offer a grandfather exemption into the Trainer Certification Program.
Each of the certification programs that are currently offered by the various organizations offer a wide variety of knowledge and require different experience levels in order to participate. Certification from another organization will not automatically provide you certification with USHJA.
No. A trainer will not be required to be certified to attend a specific level of competition.
Five sections comprise the exam with 30 questions in each section. The questions will be true/false, multiple choice and labeling. Applicants receive their score and receive their incorrect answers at the end of the exam.
Applications submitted prior to December 1, 2019 will remain open through the 2020 competition year. Individuals with open applications must complete and pass the online exam by November 30, 2020 to achieve TCP certification. Applicants may log into the exam two times. Once logged in, there is no time limit for completing the exam.
If an individual is unsuccessful in passing the exam, he or she will have the opportunity to take the exam again within 30 days of the first attempt. If he or she is unsuccessful in the second attempt, he or she will not be certified. Application into the new trainer education program would be permitted until 2021.
Certification must be maintained and updated every five years. Click here to view the Renewal requirements
If an individual is suspended by the USEF, that individual's USHJA Trainer Certification or Provisional status will be suspended for the same time period. Upon completion of the USEF suspension period, the individual's USHJA Trainer Certification will be reinstated, absent good cause to the contrary. Reinstatement of the individual's USHJA Trainer Certification remains at the sole discretion of the USHJA.
USHJA requires that Certified Trainers be covered for their professional activities under a commercial/professional liability insurance policy. 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. Click here for more information regarding insurance requirements.