The CSIA has a total of four certification levels for instructors, as well as two snow park certification levels. The first level of certification, "Level 1", is accessible to any intermediate-level skier who is at least 14 years of age. It can usually be obtained after a 3-day certification course. Each region in Canada has a coordinator who organizes Level 1 courses within their specific regions. Nevertheless, candidates may pursue their certifications within other regions. For example, a skier from the
Quebec region may follow his or her instructor training and obtain certification in
New Brunswick, which is part of the Atlantic region. There is also an independent certification, "Snow Park Level 1", designed for skiers and instructors with park experience who are interested in teaching others in snow park. Since the pedagogical material seen in the Snow Park Level 1 certification course is similar to that in the Level 1 course, snow park instructors can be admitted to the Level 2 training course without holding a Level 1 certification. A Snow Park Level 2 certification course is also available. The second level of certification, "Level 2", is accessible to Level 1 or Snow Park Level 1 certified ski instructors who have paid their membership dues to the CSIA, as well as members of provincial partner organisations, such as the PESQ in Quebec or OT3 in Ontario, who wish to pursue their training with the CSIA for national recognition of certification. They must complete two-day training courses in both skiing and teaching development as well as pass a two-day examination. The third level of certification, "Level 3", is considered a senior certification available to Level 2 certified ski instructors in good standing with the CSIA. It consists of three-day training courses in both skiing and teaching development as well as a two-day examination that includes ski-offs assessed by at least four Level 3 course conductors, all of whom must hold a Level 4 certification. Many instructors train for several years and make several attempts before successfully sitting the certification exam. The CSIA can also issue International Ski Instructors' Alliance (ISIA) stamps to members who are Level 3 certified. In addition to Level 3 certification, avalanche skills training, valid first aid certification and a minimum of 320 hours of education credits are required. Additional hours can be obtained through either CSIA Level 4 certification or certification with a partner industry organisation, such as the
Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI), the
Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF), the
Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS), the
Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (CANSI), the
Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA), or the
Canadian Freestyle Ski Association (CFSA). The fourth and final level of certification, "Level 4", can be delivered only by senior course conductors and evaluators, who themselves hold a Level 4 certification. A three-day examination, including ski-offs assessed by at least ten Level 4 course conductors, is required and the certification is notoriously difficult to attain. For instance, in the 2021-2022 ski season, fewer than 50 new Level 4 skiers were certified according to the organisation's official
Facebook page. Training and certification programs are also available for senior instructors (Levels 3 and 4) who wish to partake in the delivery of CSIA certification courses as course conductors and evaluators. ==Membership==