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Ski instructor

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1°. Defining the activity

a. Definition

Skiing includes Nordic cross-country and alpine skiing activities.

The Nordic ski instructor supervises Nordic cross-country skiing and its safely derived activities. He conducts a teaching approach throughout the snowy mountain environment in the middle mountains on hilly terrain excluding any accidents of terrain and altitude on tracks prepared for this practice, marked and groomed located on identical reliefs.

As for the alpine ski instructor, he supervises all types of public in the practice of alpine skiing and related activities, including snowboarding, in all classes of alpine ski progression. It can exercise on the secure area of the slopes and off the slopes, with the exception of unmarked glacial zones and terrain whose use uses mountaineering techniques.

To go further Article 1 of the 11 April 2002 decree on the specific training of the State Diploma of National Alpine Ski Instructor; Appendix VIII of the decree of 26 April 2013 relating to the specific training of state diploma of national ski-monitor of Nordic cross-country ski.

b. Competent Business Formality Centre

The relevant business formalities centre (CFE) depends on the nature of the activity and the legal form of the business:

  • for the liberal professions, the competent CFE is the Urssaf;
  • for commercial companies, it is the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI);
  • for civil societies, this is the registry of the Commercial Court;
  • for civil societies in the departments of the Lower Rhine, Upper Rhine and Moselle, this is the registry of the district court.

For more information, it is advisable to visit the Urssaf's websites, ICC In Paris , Strasbourg ICC And Public Service .

2°. Installation conditions

a. Professional qualifications

The person who wishes to work as a ski instructor must be a sports educator and hold one of the following diplomas:

  • State diploma of national alpine ski instructor;
  • The state diploma of national alpine ski instructor specializing in training;
  • State diploma of national ski-monitor of Nordic cross-country skiing;
  • state diploma of national ski-monitor of Nordic cross-country skiing specialized in training.

The training is provided by the National School of Mountain Sports (ENSM), which includes:

  • for Nordic cross-country skiing, the National Nordic and Medium Mountain Ski Centre (CNSNMM);
  • for alpine skiing, the National Ski and Mountaineering School (Ensa).

For more information, it is advisable to consult the ENSM website .

To go further Articles L. 212-1, R. 212-84, A. 212-1 Appendix II-1 and D. 212-68 and the following of the Code of Sport; Articles 2 and 27 of the 11 April 2012 decree on the specific training of the State Diploma of National Alpine Ski Instructor; Articles 2 and 28 of the order of 26 April 2013 relating to the specific training of the State Diploma of National Ski-Monitor of Nordic Cross-Country Ski.

b. Professional Qualifications - European Nationals (LPS or LE)

Freedom to provide services

Nationals of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) legally established in one of these states may carry out the same activity in France on a temporary and occasional basis provided they have referred to the prefect of the department Isère a prior declaration of activity.

If the activity or training leading there is not regulated in the Member State of origin or the state of the place of establishment, the national must also justify having carried out this activity there for at least the equivalent of a full-time year in the in the last ten years prior to the benefit.

European nationals wishing to practise in France on a temporary or occasional basis must have the necessary language skills to carry out the activity in France, in order to guarantee the safety of physical activities and and its ability to alert emergency services.

To go further Articles L. 212-7 and R. 212-92 to R. 212-94 of the Code of Sport.

Freedom of establishment

A national of an EU or EEA state may settle in France to practice permanently, if he fulfils one of the following four conditions:

  • if the Member State of origin regulates access or the exercise of the activity:- have a certificate of competency or a training certificate issued by the competent authority of an EU or EEA state that certifies a level of qualification at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France,
    • holding a title acquired in a third state and admitted in equivalence to an EU or EEA state and justify having held that activity for at least two years full-time in that state;
  • If the Member State of origin does not regulate access or the exercise of the activity:- justify having been active in an EU or EEA state, full-time for at least two years in the last ten years, or, in the case of part-time exercise, justifying an activity of equivalent duration and holding a certificate qualification issued by the competent authority of one of these states, which attests to a readiness for the exercise of the activity, as well as a level of qualification at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France
    • be holder of a qualification certificate at least equivalent to the level immediately lower than that required in France, issued by the competent authority of an EU or EEA state and sanctioning regulated training aimed at specifically the exercise of all or part of the activities mentioned in Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, consisting of a cycle of study supplemented, if necessary, by vocational training, internship or professional practice.

If the national meets one of the four conditions mentioned above, the qualification requirement required to practise is deemed satisfied.

However, if the professional qualifications of the national differ substantially from the qualifications required in France which would not guarantee the safety of practitioners and third parties, he may be required to submit to an aptitude test or perform an adjustment course (see infra." e. compensation measures).

The national must have the knowledge of the French language necessary to carry out his activity in France, in particular in order to guarantee the safety of physical and sporting activities and his ability to alert the emergency services.

To go further Articles L. 212-7 and R. 212-88 to R. 212-90 of the Code of Sport.

c. Conditions of honorability and incompatibility

It is forbidden to practice as a ski instructor in France for persons who have been convicted of any crime or for any of the following offences:

  • torture and acts of barbarism;
  • Sexual assaults;
  • drug trafficking;
  • Endangering others;
  • pimping and the resulting offences;
  • endangering minors;
  • illicit use of substance or plant classified as narcotics or provocation to the illicit use of narcotics;
  • violations of Articles L. 235-25 to L. 235-28 of the Code of Sport;
  • as a punishment complementary to a tax offence: a temporary ban on practising, directly or by person interposed, on behalf of himself or others, any industrial, commercial or liberal profession ( Section 1750 of the General Tax Code).

In addition, no one may teach, facilitate or supervise a physical or sporting activity with minors, if he has been the subject of an administrative measure prohibiting him from participating, in any capacity, in the management and supervision of institutions and bodies subject to legislation or regulations relating to the protection of minors in a holiday and leisure centre, as well as youth groups, or if it has been the subject of an administrative measure to suspend these same functions.

To go further Article L. 212-9 of the Code of Sport.

d. Some of the peculiarities of regulation

The specific environment

The practice of ski instructor, is an activity practiced in a specific environment. It involves compliance with special security measures. As a result, only agencies under the tutelage of the Ministry of Sport can train future professionals.

To go further Articles L. 212-2 and R. 212-7 of the Code of Sport.

3°. Installation procedures and formalities

a. Company reporting formalities

The formalities depend on the legal nature of the business. For more information, it is advisable to refer to the "Formality of Reporting of a Commercial Company" or "Registration of an Individual Company in the Register of Trade and Companies."

b. Reporting requirement (for the purpose of obtaining the professional sports educator card)

Anyone wishing to practice any of the professions governed by Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport must declare his activity to the prefect of the department of the place where he intends to practice as principal. This declaration triggers the obtaining of a business card.

The declaration must be renewed every five years.

Competent authority

The declaration should be addressed to the Departmental Directorate of Social Cohesion (DDCS) or Departmental Directorate for Social Cohesion and Population Protection (DDCSPP) of the practice department or the main exercise, or directly in line on the official website .

Timeframe

Within one month of filing the declaration file, the prefecture sends an acknowledgement to the registrant. The business card, valid for five years, is then addressed to the registrant.

Supporting documents

The reporting file must contain:

  • Cerfa 12699*02 ;
  • A copy of a valid ID
  • A photo ID
  • A statement on the honour attesting to the accuracy of the information in the form;
  • A copy of each of the diplomas, titles, certificates invoked;
  • A copy of the authorization to practice, or, if necessary, the equivalency of the diploma;
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of the physical or sporting activities concerned, less than one year old.

If the return is renewed, simply attach:

  • Form Cerfa 12699*02 ;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of the valid review certificate for qualifications subject to the recycling requirement;
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of the physical or sporting activities concerned, less than one year old.

In addition, in all cases, the prefecture will itself request the release of an extract of less than three months from the registrant's criminal record to verify that there is no disability or prohibition of practice.

Cost

Free.

To go further Articles L. 212-11, R. 212-85 and A. 212-176 to A. 212-178 of the Code of Sport.

c. Make a prior declaration of activity for EU nationals engaged in one-off activity (Freedom to provide services) 

EU or EEA nationals legally established in one of these states who wish to practise in France on a temporary or occasional basis must make a prior declaration of activity before the first provision of services.

If the claimant wishes to make a new benefit in France, this prior declaration must be renewed.

In order to avoid serious damage to the safety of the beneficiaries, the prefect may, during the first benefit, carry out a preliminary check of the claimant's professional qualifications.

Competent authority

The prior declaration of activity must be addressed to the prefect of the Department of Isère.

Timeframe

Within one month of receiving the declaration file, the prefect notifies the claimant:

  • or a request for further information (in this case, the prefect has two months to give his answer);
  • or a receipt for a service delivery statement if it does not conduct a qualifications check. In this case, service delivery may begin;
  • or that it is conducting the qualifications check. In this case, the prefect then issues the claimant a receipt allowing him to start his performance or, if the verification of the qualifications reveals substantial differences with the professional qualifications required in France, the prefect submits the claimant to an aptitude test (see infra. "compensation measures").

In all cases, in the absence of a response within the aforementioned deadlines, the claimant is deemed to be legally active in France.

Supporting documents

The activity pre-report file must include:

  • A copy of the declaration form provided in Schedule II-12-3 of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of an ID
  • A copy of the certificate of competency or training title;
  • A copy of the documents attesting that the registrant is legally established in the Member State of the institution and that he does not incur any prohibition, even temporary, from practising (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • in the event that neither the activity nor the training leading to this activity is regulated in the Establishment Member State, a copy of any documents justifying that the registrant has carried out this activity in that State for at least the equivalent of two years full time over the past ten years (if any, translated into French by a certified translator);
  • one of the three documents to choose from (if not, an interview will be held):- A copy of a certificate of qualification issued after training in French,
    • A copy of a French-level certificate issued by a specialized institution,
    • a copy of a document attesting to professional experience acquired in France.

Cost

Free.

Remedies

Any litigation must be exercised within two months of notification of the decision to the relevant administrative court.

To go further Articles R. 212-92 and subsequent articles A. 212-182-2 and subsequent articles and Appendix II-12-3 of the Code of Sport.

d. Make a prior declaration of activity for EU nationals engaged in permanent activity (Freedom of establishment)

Any EU or EEA national qualified to carry out all or part of the activities mentioned in Article L. 212-1 of the Code of Sport, and wishing to settle in France, must make a statement to the prefect of the department in which he intends exercise as a principal.

This declaration allows the registrant to obtain a professional card and thus to practice legally in France under the same conditions as French nationals.

The declaration must be renewed every five years.

In the event of a substantial difference from the qualification required in France, the prefect may refer the qualifications recognition committee to the Minister for Sport for advice. It may also decide to subject the national to an aptitude test or an adjustment course (see below: "e. compensation measures").

Competent authority

The declaration must be addressed to the prefect of the Department of Isère.

Timeframe

The prefect's decision to issue the business card comes within three months of the submission of the full file by the registrant. This period may be extended by one month on a reasoned decision. If the prefect decides not to issue the professional card or to subject the declarant to a compensation measure (fitness test or internship), his decision must be motivated.

Supporting documents for the first declaration of activity

The activity report file should include:

  • A copy of the declaration form provided in Schedule II-12-2-a of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • A copy of a valid ID
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of physical or sporting activities, less than one year old (translated by a certified translator);
  • A copy of the certificate of competency or the training document, accompanied by documents describing the training course (program, hourly volume, nature and duration of internships carried out), translated into French by a certified translator;
  • If so, a copy of any evidence justifying work experience (translated into French by a certified translator);
  • If the training document has been obtained in a third state, copies of the documents attesting that the title has been admitted as an equivalency in an EU or EEA state that regulates the activity;
  • one of the three documents to choose from (if not, an interview will be held):- A copy of a certificate of qualification issued after training in French,
    • A copy of a French-level certificate issued by a specialized institution,
    • A copy of a document attesting to professional experience acquired in France;
  • documents attesting that the registrant was not the subject of any of the convictions or measures referred to in Articles L. 212-9 and L. 212-13 of the Code of Sport (translated into French by a certified translator) in the Member State of origin.

Evidence for a renewal of activity declaration

The activity renewal file must include:

  • A copy of the return renewal form, modeled on Schedule II-12-2-b of the Code of Sport;
  • A photo ID
  • a medical certificate of non-contradictory to the practice and supervision of physical or sporting activities, less than one year old.

Cost

Free.

Remedies

Any litigation must be exercised within two months of notification of the decision to the relevant administrative court.

To go further Articles R. 212-88 to R. 212-91, Articles A. 212-182 and Schedules II-12-2-a and II-12-b of the Code of Sport.

e. Compensation measures

If there is a substantial difference between the qualification of the applicant and that required in France to carry out the same activity, the prefect refers the commission for recognition of qualifications, placed with the Minister in charge of sports. This commission refers the permanent section of alpine skiing to the Training and Employment Committee of the Higher Council of Mountain Sports after review and investigation of the case. In the month of her referral, she issued a notice to the prefect.

In its opinion, the commission can:

  • believe that there is indeed a substantial difference between the qualification of the registrant and that required in France. In this case, the commission proposes to subject the registrant to an aptitude test or an adjustment course. It defines the nature and precise modalities of these compensation measures (the nature of the tests, the terms of their organisation and evaluation, the period of organisation, the content and duration of the internship, the types of structures that can accommodate the trainee, etc.) ;
  • that there is no substantial difference between the qualification of the registrant and that required in France.

Upon receipt of the commission's opinion, the prefect notifies the registrant of his reasoned decision (he is not obliged to follow the commission's advice):

  • If the registrant requires compensation, he or she has one month to choose between the aptitude test and the accommodation course. The prefect then issues a business card to the registrant who has complied with the compensation measures. On the other hand, if the course or the aptitude test is not satisfactory, the prefect notifies his reasoned decision to refuse to issue the professional card to the person concerned;
  • if he does not require compensation, the prefect issues a business card to the person concerned.

To go further Articles R. 212-90-1 and R. 212-92 of the Code of Sport.