Upgrading Requirements

These are highlights only. For complete details on expectations and requirements for each Centered Riding Instructor Level, please consult our Centered Riding Instructor’s Handbook available on this website.

From Level I to Level II

• Maintained Level I status for a minimum of two years
• Completed a minimum of two Instructor Update Clinics (alternate updates do not count towards upgrading)
• Have letters from a minimum of two Level IV Instructors recommending that you are ready to advance to Level II Instructor status
• Have submitted your completed Level II Application attaching your letters of recommendation and administration fee to the Centered Riding® Office
• You will be notified by the Centered Riding Office if your application has been successful
• If your application is not successful you will be told what needs to be improved on or done for you to become a Level II
• As a Level II you may give Centered Riding® Lectures and Demonstrations to small groups in an informal setting

From Level II to Level III

• Maintained Level II status for a minimum of three years
• Completed a minimum of three Instructor Update Clinics (alternate updates do not count towards upgrading)
• Have assisted a Level IV instructor at a minimum of three Centered Riding® clinics and two of these must be 2- or 3-day Open Clinics
• Have given a minimum of three clinics under own name and have 3 favorable letters from clinic participants (including advanced riders and/or instructors) and 1 clinic organizer in reference to clinics s/he has taught
• Have letters from a minimum of three Level IV Instructors who have seen you ride and teach at the level expected of a Level III within the past three years and recommending you to advance to Level III Clinician
• Have provided the Level IV’s with a DVD demonstrating your riding, teaching and hands-on bodywork with a mounted rider
• Have submitted your completed Level III Application attaching your letters of recommendation, administration fee and other required documentation to the Centered Riding Office
• The Centered Riding Office will forward your application and documentation to the Level IV Committee (includes all Level IV’s) who makes the decision whether or not you are ready to advance to Level III clinician status
• You will be notified by the Level IV Committee if your application has been successful and will receive your Level III Instructor’s certificate from the Centered Riding Office along with other information pertaining to Level IIIs
• If your application is not successful you will be told by the Level IV Committee what needs to be improved on or done before you reapply for your Level III
• Level III instructors are authorized to teach Centered Riding Open Clinics, Workshops, and Seminars of any length and give CR lectures and Demonstrations

From Level III to Level IV Apprentice

• Maintained Level III status for a minimum of three years
• Completed a minimum of two Clinician Update Clinics (alternate updates do not count towards upgrading)
• Have assisted a Level IV instructor at a minimum of two Centered Riding® clinics
• As a Level III, has taught a minimum of 6 CR 2-day or longer Open clinics and has 3 favorable letters from clinic participants (including advanced riders & or instructors) and 1 letter from a clinic organizer in reference to clinics s/he has taught
• Have letters from a minimum of three Level IV Instructors who have seen you ride and teach since becoming a Level III, recommending that you are ready to advance to Level IV Apprentice status
• Your apprenticeship will be a minimum of 40 clinic days and you must assist a minimum of three Level IV’s
• Apprenticeship must include at least two full Instructor Courses and two separate Instructor Update clinics
• You may take more than one year to complete the Apprenticeship
• You are responsible for your transportation to the clinics and do not receive remuneration for assisting at the clinics
• Your room and board is usually covered during the clinics
• Have at least two Level IV Instructor who have agreed to act as your mentors
• Have submitted your completed Level IV Apprentice Application attaching your letters of recommendation, administration fee and other required documentation to the Centered Riding® Office
• Have provided the Level IV’s with a DVD demonstrating your riding, teaching and hands-on bodywork with a mounted rider
• The Centered Riding® Office will forward your application and documentation to the Level IV Committee (includes all Level IV’s) who makes the decision whether or not you are ready to advance to Level IV Apprentice status
• You will be notified by the Centered Riding Office if your application has been successful
• If your application is not successful you will be told what needs to be improved on or done for you to become a Level IV Apprentice
• Level IV Apprentices have the same rights as a Level III and may provide one of the two required letters of recommendation for Level I’s applying for Level II

From Level IV Apprentice to Level IV

• Have completed all the requirements of the Apprenticeship including completing a Clinician Update during the apprenticeship
• The Level IV’s that you assisted and your mentor(s) feel that you are ready to teach Instructor Update Clinics and Instructor Courses
• Have submitted your completed Level IV Application attaching your letters of recommendation, administration fee and other required documentation to the Centered Riding Office
• The Centered Riding Office will forward your application and documentation to the Level IV Committee (includes all Level IV’s) which makes the decision whether or not they feel that you are ready to advance to Level IV and teach Instructor Update Clinics and Instructor Courses
• You will be notified by the Level IV Committee if your application has been successful and the Centered Riding Office will send you your Level IV Certificate and other information pertaining to Level IVs
• If your application is not successful the Level IV Committee will tell you what needs to be improved on or done before you reapply for your Level IV
• Level IVs have all the privileges of Level IV Apprentices and are authorized to teach Instructor Courses and Instructor Update Clinics and provide letters of recommendation for upgrading to any level including Level IV. They may also take on Apprentices and act as mentors for CR Instructors of all levels. All Level IV’s are members of the Level IV Committee which is responsible for clinic curriculum, update intervals, upgrade requirements, voting on all upgrade applications for Level III and higher and everything pertaining CR instructor education and curriculum.