How to register as an Accredited Centre
NICAS and NIBAS can only be delivered at approved facilities, known as Accredited Centres. This is to ensure there is consistency nationwide, and between centres, both in facilities and coaching experience. If your centre is open to the public, is a commercial facility, or is used by any groups other than those coached by your own staff, we class it as an Accredited Centre.
If your centre is not open to the public and is never used by other groups you may qualify as an Awarding Organisation. An awarding organisation (for example Sea Cadets) is usually national and is approved to deliver NICAS or NIBAS exclusively to its own members or candidates up to Level 3, at multiple named artificial climbing facilities. The application process for these is the same but the form is different. To see what levels of NICAS or NIBAS your centre could offer first check the requirements for structures and for coaches. These are set out in the
Centre Handbook
. Centres offer levels sequentially, but do not have to offer all their levels their wall could deliver e.g. a wall capable of delivery to Level 4 may choose to apply to deliver only to Level 3.
There are a number of key steps required to join as an Accredited Centre. These are set out in our
Application Process flow diagram
. At any stage, do feel free to
contact us for advice. We're happy to help applicants and we can let you know the current status of inductions available, advise on Primary Centres who you might want to approach, and any other relevant information to guide you through the process.
- Complete an Accredited Centre Application Form (either a
pdf version
,a
Word version
,or use the
Awarding Organisation
form if appropriate). Ensure that the Course Director and the Technical Advisor (for NICAS) or Competent Person (for NIBAS) sign their declarations.
- Choose a Primary Centre who will support you and ask them to countersign it.
- Book an induction session for your Course Director, your Technical Advisor or Competent Person, and for any coaches who want to deliver the Schemes. If any of these people have already completed an induction within the past three years, provide details on the application form (note: this is subject to verification by NICAS, and they may be asked to complete a reinduction as part of your application approval)
- Send your application and non-refundable registration fee with all its supporting documentation to NICAS for review by the Screening Committee. Applications can take around 6-8 weeks and NICAS will stay in touch with you by email during this time. If they raise any queries, you’ll be notified straight away. You are welcome to email the registration form and photographs to us.
We'll let you know, in writing, when your application has been reviewed and, if approved, you will be told about any special requirements (such as the Course Director completing a qualification, or the frequency of route-setting being increased).
Each centre's registration is usually valid for twelve months (from date of approval). We'll send an invoice for your next year's registration fee. The current fees are as follows:
Awarding Centres
- £30 + VAT per year to deliver Level 1 (£36)
- £50 + VAT per year to deliver Levels 1 & 2, or 1-3 (£60)
- £75 + VAT per year to deliver Levels 1-4 or 1-5 (£90)
Primary Centres
- First year £450 + VAT (includes cost of PC induction at your centre)
- Thereafter, £150 + VAT per annum (£180)
The registration year runs for 12 months from the date of approval. VAT exemption is provided for centres outside the UK as applicable under HMRC guidance.