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 four steps required to join as an Accredited Centre, set out in the
Application Process
:
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.