Training & Payment Policies

Visit the Western Continuing Studies Registration Policy page for detailed information about TEP and SFIC drops, transfers and refunds.

All CCAA courses are offered in English unless otherwise noted in the session description. Participants may submit a request to the Education Coordinator via email at ccaa.courses@uwo.ca if they wish to have a translator accompany them to training at their own expense.

Policy on Mentorship Exemption for Experienced Candidates

At the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging (CCAA), we recognize that some candidates bring extensive experience and relevant education that aligns with the competencies required for SFIC certification. To acknowledge their expertise while maintaining certification standards, the following exemption policy applies:

Eligibility for Exemption:

• Candidates may be exempt from all mentorship requirements if they meet ONE of the following criteria:
  • A formal education background in a health-related field that includes a practical field component involving group exercise leadership (e.g., Fitness and Health Promotion, Rec Therapy, Kinesiology, Physiotherapy, or equivalent).
  • Or, certification in group fitness through a nationally or internationally recognized certification body (i.e. Can-Fit-Pro, ACE Fitness, Canadian Fitness Education Services). With a minimum of one year or 50 hours of experience in land-based (standing) adult (18+) group fitness instruction.

Verification Process:

• Candidates seeking exemption must submit either:
  • Proof of their group fitness-related educational training (e.g., degree, diploma, or certification).
  • Or, documentation of at least 1 year or 50 hours of group fitness instruction experience (e.g., resume, letters of reference, class schedules, or other supporting materials).

Final Evaluation Requirement:

• While mentorship hours are waived, exempted candidates must still successfully complete the final video evaluation to demonstrate competency in SFIC certification requirements. Review the practical evaluation rubric.
• Failure to meet these competencies means you have to begin the mentorship process again.

By implementing this exemption policy, the CCAA ensures that highly qualified individuals can streamline their certification process while maintaining the high standards of the SFIC program.

Requests for exemption or questions can be submitted to ccaa.certification@uwo.ca.

The CCAA reserves the right to withhold certification from any candidate who does not meet the minimum requirements outlined in the practical evaluation rubric.

Policy on External Mentorship for Candidates

At the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, candidate success is prioritized by providing high-quality post-SFIC mentorship that aligns with the course’s certification standards. To ensure consistency and effectiveness, mentorship is delivered by instructors who have been SFIC-certified for at least one year.

To expand mentorship opportunities for candidates progressing through the certification process while ensuring consistency in meeting evaluation requirements, the CCAA has established the following policy for mentorship provided by individuals certified through organizations other than the CCAA.

Preferred Mentorship:

• Mentors should ideally hold SFIC certifications, as they are most familiar with the format and competencies necessary for candidates to successfully complete the video evaluation.

Use of External Mentors:

• With prior approval from the CCAA, candidates may earn up to six (6) direct mentorship hours by working with certified seniors’ fitness instructors not trained through the CCAA (i.e. VON instructors). The potential mentor’s programs must be reviewed by the CCAA and be found to share significant similarities with the CCAA model.
• Candidates are encouraged to share the SFIC marking guide with the non-SFIC mentors to enhance alignment with evaluation expectations.
• Candidates must document their mentorship hours in their mentorship logs, clearly indicating whether each session was led by an SFIC mentor or another instructor mentor.

Final Evaluation Requirement:

• As candidates approach the completion of their required 18 hours of direct, indirect and peer mentorship, only an SFIC-certified mentor can supervise and sign off on the candidate's final full class (i.e., the candidate leads the entire session) prior to the evaluation recording and submission.
• This ensures the candidate receives comprehensive feedback aligned with SFIC competencies, maximizing their chances of success.

By following this policy, candidates will receive effective mentorship while maintaining the integrity and quality of SFIC certification process.

The CCAA reserves the right to withhold certification from any candidate who does not meet the minimum requirements outlined in the practical evaluation rubric.

Mentor Recognition and Awards

At the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging (CCAA), we value the dedication of mentors who contribute to the development of new instructors. To recognize their commitment, mentors who meet the following criteria are eligible for a reward.

Rewards and Eligibility:

• First 8 mentorship hours → Earn 4 CECs toward certification renewal.
• Next 8 mentorship hours (for a total of 16 hours) → Receive one complimentary registration for an SFIC refresher workshop.
  • All 16 hours required for this tier must be completed within the mentor’s two-year certification period and involve mentoring at least two (2) candidates.

Tracking and Verification:

• Mentors must document mentorship hours including candidate name(s) and session details using the Mentorship Tracking Log.
• Logs must be submitted to the CCAA for verification upon reaching the required hours for each reward tier.

 By providing these incentives, the CCAA aims to support and encourage experienced mentors while ensuring the continued development of new high-quality SFIC instructors.

ONLY Seniors’ Fitness Instructor Course (SFIC) Trainers or Evaluators can conduct your practical evaluation in-person or via video.

No. Becoming a certified senior fitness instructor may be enforced through your employer as a condition of employment/volunteering for teaching classes. But there is no law that states an instructor must be certified in order to teach senior fitness.

If you are unable to complete certification or renewal requirements for any reason within the allotted timeframe for these processes, a one-time extension of up to a maximum of 3 months may be given at the discretion of the Certification Coordinator. To request an extension, you must send a request via email to the Certification Coordinator at ccaa.certification@uwo.ca. 

Regardless of circumstances, if the certification requirements are not met by the end of the extension period, you will be required to retake the course in which you are certified, at which point you will receive another 12 months to fulfill the certification requirements. If the renewal requirements are not met by the end of the extension period, you may request a certification reinstatement.

Note: An administration fee of $50 + applicable taxes applies to all extensions.