High Performance Certification LEAD Parasport Module Women in Sport Science (WiSS)

What is the current status of HPC?

We are currently in the transfer phase of HPC. The transfer phase will certify core practitioners currently employed by the COPSI Network or NSO HP Programs. These practitioners are nominated by their employers and invited by the HPC Committee to submit an application.

2020 – Transfer senior and leader practitioners

2021 – Transfer base level practitioners (see the HP Practitioner Career Pathway for levels)

Fall/Winter 2021 – Open call for submissions to HPC. Anyone meeting the discipline-specific criteria and experience required, is invited to apply to any of the three levels of certification.

All competencies and criteria will be published on this website in 2021.

About HP Certification

The High Performance Certification (HPC) comprises the qualifications and competencies required for sport scientists to uphold standards and enhance the daily training environment (DTE) of high performance sport in Canada.  The certification is designed to ensure that the system employs skilful, qualified practitioners who deliver safe and effective service to athletes and coaches.  A central goal of the Certification is to develop, attract, and retain exceptional practitioners in Canada.

The HPC is obtained through a competency-based evaluation at three levels of the practitioner pathway (Practitioner, Senior, Leader) 

The HPC is a Sport Scientist Canada program under the leadership of Own The Podium, developed in consult with our Canadian sport partner organizations. 

HPC supports the Canadian sport system by:

  • Providing validated credentials across all sport science disciplines
  • Promoting clarity through the use of common language and standards across the network
  • Increasing effectiveness of practitioners working in high-performance sport
  • Defining the career pathway which describes the development required to meet expected standards in HP Sport 
  • Increasing sport science community engagement, knowledge translation, and connection as a benefit of membership
  • Providing valuable audit information to allow the system to monitor and enhance the development of sport scientists in Canada
  • Providing professional development tool for practitioners and their employers

For the purpose of this program, HPC adheres to the following principles

  • Certification is a voluntary process by which a nongovernmental entity grants a time-limited recognition to an individual after verifying that he or she has met predetermined and standardized criteria
  • To become certified, an individual must meet eligibility requirements and pass an assessment 
  • Certification is voluntary and the individual does not need to be certified in order to engage in a given occupation
  • The certification assessment may cover a broad area of knowledge and skill at entry, specialty, or advanced levels
  • Certified practitioners will have ongoing requirements to maintain their certifications, such as continuing education and retesting 


Frequently Asked Questions

As nominated transfer practitioner, the HPC supports your current status and does not change your current contract with your employer.
  • There is potential for HPC to be a requirement to apply for, or operate in, designated roles.*TBD in 2021*
  • Future employers may view the HPC designation as an advantage over non-HPC candidates 
  • The HPC designation does not guarantee you a job, nor does it guarantee you a particular salary
No. The transfer process is free for those currently nominated by the COPSI Network or their respective NSO’s.
Yes. Professional development credits will be required each year for the purpose of maintenance of current certification and membership lists. This will go into effect after HP Certification is issued in 2021. We will contact you with more information at that time. 
At the end of the transfer process.  More information to come in 2021.
  • HPC does not assess your discipline-specific skillset  
  • HPC does not provide liability insurance  
  • These must come from your discipline specific criteria
  • HPC is not a training program, it is an evaluation of competencies.  
  • The minimum years of experience allow the development of HP Skills in order to satisfy the competency assessment