Rules, Policies and Guidelines
for Certified Amateur Athletes
Page contents:
- Introduction
- Description
- The Supplementary policies and guidelines governing Certified DanceSport athletes
- Certification of Certified Athletes
(1) Introduction
Certified Championship Amateur Athletes have certain expanded rights and responsibilities granted to them in recognition of their accomplishments, skill, and knowledge. ONLY those athletes who have been granted this status may exercise these rights. Certified Championship Athletes must also follow a set of rules, guidelines, and policies. It is the responsibility of the Certified Championship Amateur Athletes to know, understand, and follow these rules!
For more information about the Certified Championship Amateur Athlete classification, including how to become one, rights, and responsibilities, please contact the Chair of the Certification Committee.
(2) Description
This web page provides, the guidelines, rules, policies and procedures required of Elite DanceSport athletes to obtain and retain such special status.
(3) Supplementary policies and guidelines governing Certified athletes
The following policies and guidelines apply to DanceSport Athletes authorized to teach for pay:
- Certified Championship Amateur Athletes are not eligible to compete in Pro/Am events as a professional nor are they allowed to compete in Student/Student events with any individual that they instruct.
- Elite Athlete status is valid only until Dec 31, 2006. After that date, an Athlete must either be a Certified Athlete, a Regulated Athlete, or a World Class Athlete in order to teach for pay.
- Procedures and Guidelines for the Certification Process are contained in Attachment III. The Certification Process requires the Amateur Athlete to complete and file a Certification Request/Application. Currently the USDSC only uses the USISTD as the examination authority.
- It is suggested that amateurs who teach engage in teaching as a private contractor in dance schools and venues that accept this type of activity and, of course, with the permission of the studio owner/manager. Amateurs who teach are encouraged to support the anticipated shortage of ballroom dance teachers, especially in the colleges, high schools and amateur clubs.
- Attention is directed to the fact that earning an income by teaching for pay may require the filing of appropriate income tax documents. The athlete is advised to comply with all applicable laws that govern such an activity.
(4) Certification of Certified Athletes
Certification
There are currently two requirements to receive certification:
- The DanceSport Athlete must be a USA Dance member in good standing.
- The DanceSport athlete must pass proficiency tests in a specific style at a certain level.
Once all criteria for certification have been met, the USDSC will certify the DanceSport athlete in the style and at the level in which he or she passed the proficiency exams. Because the USDSC cannot monitor the activities of all certified DanceSport athletes, it is the USDSC's opinion that the marketplace will self-monitor the activities. The USDSC will have a published list (in Amateur Dancers Magazine and on the USABDA web site) of DanceSport athletes with the style and level in which they are certified to teach.
Criteria for Taking Proficiency Exams
The USDSC Certification Committee will examine all requests for taking the proficiency exams to ensure as low a failure rate as possible. The criteria by which the Certification Committee will examine request are as follows:
- The DanceSport athlete must show proof of preparation for the proficiency exam (i.e. certificate/letter of completion of workshops, classes, or private instruction from instructor), and
- The DanceSport Athlete must be a USA Dance member in Good standing
Process for Scheduling Proficiency Exams
The USDSC has the authority to certify DanceSport athletes, but athletes' proficiency in specific dance styles at specific levels will be evaluated by other organizations. An agreement has been reached with the United States Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (USISTD) whereby USISTD will evaluate amateur athletes' proficiency in specific styles at specific levels. Currently, proficiency exams are available at the Diploma I (i.e. Bronze) and Diploma II (i.e. Silver) levels in all styles (i.e. Standard, Latin, Smooth, and Rhythm). Higher levels of Amateur Diploma proficiency exams will be established in the future. The process by which a DanceSport athlete can apply for an USISTD proficiency exam is as follows:
- The DanceSport athlete interested in becoming certified to teach submits an request for approval to take the proficiency exam to the USDSC Certification Committee chair.
- The USDSC Certification Committee will review the request and determine if the candidate has met the criteria for taking a proficiency exam (see below for criteria).
- USDSC will send the DanceSport athlete a form stating that the DanceSport athlete is sanctioned by USDSC as a candidate for the Amateur Diploma proficiency test, with details about the level and style of the proficiency test.
- USDSC will inform the USISTD of the DanceSport athlete's name, address, and the Diploma proficiency test to be taken.
- USISTD's Director of Examinations then informs the DanceSport athlete of his/her examiner.
- The DanceSport athlete and the USISTD examiner arrange the date, time, and location of the evaluation.
- At the site of the proficiency test, the DanceSport athlete will be notified of the test results. The USISTD examiner will also inform the Director of Examinations of the DanceSport athlete's results.
- USISTD then notifies USDSC of the DanceSport athlete's proficiency test results.
- Once the DanceSport athlete has met all criteria for becoming certified to teach, the USDSC Certification Committee will send notification to the DanceSport athlete of their certified teaching status.
Information to be Submitted with Letter Requesting Approval to be Considered for Taking Proficiency Examination
Name:
USABDA Membership ID Number:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
DanceSport Accomplishments: (Please list the competition name, competition date, event category, and placement for the past year. Also indicate when Championship DanceSport Status was attained)
Regular Coaches / Trainers:
Additional Coaches / Trainers:
Total Years of DanceSport Experience:
Description of Preparation Training:
Logistics for Taking USISTD Proficiency Exams
EXAMINERS
An examiner will only travel to administer tests or teach workshops if there is a minimum of 6 hours of teaching or testing per day.
EXAMINATION STRUCTURE
- Diploma I (Associate ) examination last 2:00 hours.
- Diploma II (Licentiate) examination last 2:15 hours.
- Fellowship examination last 2:30 hours.
EXAMINATION FEES
There are three types of fees associated with a proficiency examination:
- Dues = $30/exam (This is refundable if the candidate does not take the exam.)
- Examiner's hourly rate = $75/hour (Nonrefundable)
- Examiner's travel expenses
- Once USISTD is notified of a candidate's interest in
taking a proficiency exam, the payment form and dues must be submitted to USISTD within 30 days prior to the exam date. The payment form is available through the USDSC Certification Committee Chair. - Travel expenses are negotiated between the candidate(s)
and examiner. USISTD has guidelines to maintain quality of travel arrangements, yet minimize expenses (i.e. hotels must be 3 or 4 stars, food expenses are limited to a certain amount per day according to the region). - All candidates approved to take proficiency exams must negotiate with the examiner themselves about test arrangements. If the USDSC Certification Committee knows of at least three candidates in the same area taking proficiency exams within the same time period, all candidates and the USISTD examiner will be notified so that arrangements can be made that will allow for more efficient test administration.
