Licence Maintenance & Concacaf Upgrades

In December 2024, Canada Soccer became a founding member of the Concacaf Coaching Convention. To align with these new Confederation standards, all Canada Soccer Advanced Coach Education Program licences issued prior to 2024 must be upgraded.

This regulatory framework standardizes coach education across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Key benefits include:

Standardization

Ensures consistent coaching quality across the region.

Portability

Allows for mutual recognition of qualifications across Concacaf Member Associations, offering coaches greater mobility.

Upgrades for the C, B, Youth, and A licences will roll out in phases. For specific application and course dates, visit the Upgrade Home Page.

The 2026 Intake Schedule is as follows:

The C Diploma upgrades are for C Licence coaches only. The C Diploma upgrades will require student coaches to upgrade to one of two learning plans depending on when certification was achieved:

  • Pre-post COVID-19 where on-field video assessments were submitted
  • During COVID-19 where no on-field video was submitted

2026 Cohort 1:

    • Invites: January 2026
    • Complete Modules: February – April 2026

2026 Cohort 2:

    • Invites: April 2026
    • Complete Modules: May – July 2026

2026 Cohort 3:

    • Invites: July 2026
    • Complete Modules: August – October 2026

Cohort 4:

    • Invites: October 2026
    • Complete Modules: November 2026 – January 2027

The B Diploma upgrades are for Youth Licence, B Licence & National B Licence coaches only. The B Diploma upgrade will require student coaches to upgrade to one of the following learning plans depending on when certification was achieved:

  • National B Licence (last year)
  • Pre-Post COVID-19 B Licence (years)
  • B Licence received during COVID-19 where no on-field video was submitted.

2026 Cohort 1:

    • Invites: January 2026
    • Complete Modules: February – May 2026
    • Final Meetings: June 2026

2026 Cohort 2:

    • Invites: April 2026
    • Complete Modules: May – August 2026
    • Final Meetings: September 2026

2026 Cohort 3:

    • Invites: July 2026
    • Complete Modules: August – November 2026
    • Final Meetings: December 2026

The B Diploma upgrades are for Youth Licence, B Licence & National B Licence coaches only. The B Diploma upgrade will require student coaches to upgrade to one of the following learning plans depending on when certification was achieved:

  • Pre-Post COVID-19 Youth Licence (years)
  • Youth Licence received during COVID-19 where no on-field video was submitted.

Cohort 1:

    • Invites: January 2026
    • Complete Modules: February – May 2026
    • Final Meetings: June 2026

Cohort 2:

    • Invites: April 2026
    • Complete Modules: May – August 2026
    • Final Meetings: September 2026

Cohort 3:

    • Invites: July 2026
    • Complete Modules: August – November 2026
    • Final Meetings: December 2026

The Concacaf A Diploma focusses on developing and refining the student coach’s capacity to meet the demands of coaching elite youth and top level senior amateur players in a performance environment.

2026 Cohort 1:

    • Invites: January 2026
    • Complete Modules: February 16 – June 30 2026
    • Final Meetings: July 2026

2026 Cohort 2:

    • Invites: May 2026
    • Complete Modules: July 6 – November 30 2026
    • Final Meetings: December 2026

Standard renewals for pre-2024 licences are no longer available. Holders of expired licences must complete the upgrade process.

Temporary Renewals

If your licence is expired and you are currently waitlisted for an upgrade intake, you may apply for a temporary renewal. You must meet all Safe Sport Roster requirements:

  • Valid Criminal Record Check (w/ Vulnerable Sector Screen, dated within 2 years)
  • NCCP Make Ethical Decisions (Module & Eval)
  • Respect in Sport Activity Leader Program
  • NCCP Making Headway
  • NCCP Emergency Action Planning
  • NCCP Understanding the Rule of Two
How to Apply for Temporary Renewal

Email Sarah Ouellette (souellette@canadasoccer.com) with:

  • Proof of Waitlist Status.
  • Valid Criminal Record Check.
  • Copy of your NCCP Transcript.

Future Renewals (Concacaf Diplomas)

Once the upgrade process is complete, maintance will shift to a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) based approach. Canada Soccer is working with the Coaching Association of Canada to create a new renewal process for Concacaf Diplomas aligned with the NCCP and utilizing their CPD point system. Further details will be announced soon.