NWANA Nordic Walking Instructor Pathway

The NWANA Nordic Walking Instructor Pathway provides a progressive route for people who want to teach Nordic Walking within the professional education, standards, and licensing system of the Nordic Walking Association of North America.

The pathway develops the instructor’s ability to demonstrate, explain, teach, observe, and progressively improve Nordic Walking technique while working within the scope of an active NWANA Professional License.

The pathway includes three progressive instructor levels and additional specialist licenses for qualified instructors working with children or youth.

Participants begin with the required common foundation and progress through each instructor level in sequence. Advanced education and licenses are not available as direct entry points.

Begin with the Required Foundation

Every future NWANA Instructor begins with the Nordic Walking Instructor – Beginner Level Certification through NWANA Academy.

The course introduces the essential knowledge and practical preparation required for beginner-level Nordic Walking instruction, including technique, equipment, movement principles, safety, observation, correction, instructional responsibility, and professional scope.

The certification requirements include completion of the required course content, assessments, and technique review established by NWANA.

Previous Nordic Walking, fitness, teaching, coaching, or professional experience does not eliminate this required starting point.

How Instructor Progression Works

1. Complete the Beginner Level Certification

Complete all required lessons, assessments, practical submissions, and technique review through NWANA Academy.

2. Qualify for the Level 1 Instructor License

After completing the required Level 1 education and other applicable requirements, submit a Professional License Eligibility Review.

If eligibility is confirmed, NWANA provides private instructions for purchasing the Active NWANA Fundamentals Instructor License.

3. Develop Practical Instructional Experience

Level 1 instructors develop experience teaching Nordic Walking fundamentals within the scope of their active license.

Progression is based on more than course completion. NWANA may require documented instructional activity, practical assignments, technique review, assessment, continuing education, or other evidence of readiness for the next stage.

4. Continue to Level 2

The education and qualification process for Level 2 becomes available only after the required Level 1 preparation and practical development have been completed and verified.

5. Continue to Level 3

Level 3 preparation becomes available only after the required Level 2 education, assessment, professional development, and practical experience have been completed and verified.

Participants cannot skip required instructor levels or enter Level 2 or Level 3 directly.

Completion of an instructor course does not automatically activate the corresponding Professional License.

Three Progressive Instructor Levels

Level 1 — Fundamentals Instructor

Active NWANA Fundamentals Instructor License

Level 1 is the foundation of the NWANA Instructor Pathway.

It is intended for qualified instructors teaching Nordic Walking fundamentals to beginner and recreational participants.

The Level 1 instructor develops the ability to:

• demonstrate the fundamental Nordic Walking movement pattern;

• explain the basic purpose and use of Nordic Walking poles;

• help participants select and adjust appropriate equipment;

• introduce foundational coordination and movement principles;

• observe common beginner-level technique errors;

• provide appropriate instructional corrections;

• organize and conduct beginner-level instructional sessions;

• work within the safety, professional, and ethical requirements established by NWANA.

Applicants must complete the education, technique review, assessments, practical requirements, and eligibility process established by NWANA for Level 1.

Annual license fee: $49

Level 2 — Fitness & Wellness Instructor

Active NWANA Fitness & Wellness Instructor License

Level 2 is for qualified instructors providing structured Nordic Walking instruction in fitness, wellness, active-lifestyle, and community settings.

Level 2 builds upon the knowledge, technical competence, teaching ability, and practical experience developed at Level 1.

The Level 2 instructor develops the ability to:

• provide more structured Nordic Walking instruction;

• work with participants who have different levels of experience and physical preparation;

• organize progressive instructional sessions;

• observe and correct a broader range of technique issues;

• adapt instruction to the purpose and structure of an appropriate fitness or wellness program;

• support continued technical development within the instructor’s professional scope.

Level 2 does not authorize medical diagnosis, treatment, physical therapy, rehabilitation, or any other service requiring a separate professional or government-issued license.

Applicants must complete the preceding Instructor Pathway requirements and the additional education, assessment, practical experience, and eligibility process established by NWANA for Level 2.

While the Level 2 license remains active, a separate annual Level 1 Instructor License is not required.

Annual license fee: $69

Level 3 — Competition Technique Instructor

Active NWANA Competition Technique Instructor License

Level 3 is the highest level of the NWANA Instructor Pathway.

It is for qualified instructors teaching and analyzing Nordic Walking technique for competition.

Level 3 builds upon the technical, instructional, and practical preparation developed through Levels 1 and 2.

The Level 3 instructor develops the ability to:

• teach advanced Nordic Walking technique;

• analyze technique at increased movement and competition speeds;

• recognize how technique may change under acceleration, fatigue, terrain, surface, weather, and competitive pressure;

• identify technical limitations that may affect efficiency or compliance with competition rules;

• use structured observation and appropriate correction;

• help participants develop competition-appropriate technical understanding.

Applicants must complete all preceding Instructor Pathway requirements and the advanced education, assessment, practical experience, and eligibility process established by NWANA for Level 3.

While the Level 3 license remains active, separate annual Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor Licenses are not required.

Annual license fee: $89

Instructor and Coach Are Different Professional Roles

An instructor teaches Nordic Walking technique within the scope of the instructor’s active license.

A coach assumes broader responsibility for athlete development, training programs, workload planning, competition preparation, performance monitoring, and long-term progression.

An Instructor License does not automatically include Coach status.

Coach education becomes available only after the applicable Instructor Pathway education, licenses, assessments, and practical instructional experience have been completed and verified.

Completion of Level 3 does not automatically activate a Coach License or guarantee immediate admission to Coach education. The candidate must satisfy the entry requirements established by NWANA for the Coaching Pathway.

A person may eventually qualify as both an Instructor and a Coach, but Coach status requires separate education, assessment, experience, approval, and licensing.

Instructor and Judge Are Different Professional Roles

A Level 3 Competition Technique Instructor teaches and analyzes competition technique.

A Nordic Walking Judge evaluates technique and applies NWANA Competition Rules within an assigned competition role.

An Instructor License does not grant Judge status or authorize the holder to issue warnings, cards, penalties, or disqualifications.

Judge preparation requires separate rules education, supervised officiating, practical evaluation, and licensing.

Advanced competition-technique education may form part of the technical foundation required before a candidate progresses into judge-specific education, but it does not replace the Judging Pathway.

Children’s Nordic Walking Instructor

Active NWANA Children’s Nordic Walking Instructor License

This specialist license is for qualified NWANA instructors approved to teach Nordic Walking to children within the professional scope established by NWANA.

It supplements the instructor’s active primary NWANA Instructor License and does not replace it.

The applicant must complete the applicable education, assessment, practical preparation, and eligibility requirements for instruction involving children.

The holder must also maintain an Active NWANA Minor Participant License and satisfy all requirements applicable to the program, organization, professional role, and participant ages.

Annual specialist license fee: $49

Youth Nordic Walking Instructor

Active NWANA Youth Nordic Walking Instructor License

This specialist license is for qualified NWANA instructors approved to teach Nordic Walking to youth participants within the professional scope established by NWANA.

It supplements the instructor’s active primary NWANA Instructor License and does not replace it.

The applicant must complete the applicable education, assessment, practical preparation, and eligibility requirements for instruction involving youth participants.

The holder must also maintain an Active NWANA Minor Participant License and satisfy all requirements applicable to the program, organization, professional role, and participant ages.

Annual specialist license fee: $49

Minor Participant License

Active NWANA Minor Participant License

This additional annual license is required for an NWANA professional whose approved role involves direct professional work or regular contact with participants under age 18.

It does not replace:

• a primary Instructor License;

• a Children’s or Youth specialist license;

• required professional education or assessment;

• participant-protection or safeguarding education;

• background screening when required;

• parental or legal-guardian consent;

• supervision, communication, and reporting procedures;

• requirements established by applicable law;

• policies of the organization responsible for the program.

Annual license fee: $49

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Education

Education provides the knowledge, technical preparation, instructional development, and practical learning required for a particular Instructor level.

Certification

Certification confirms successful completion of a particular course, assessment, or qualification.

Professional License

An Active NWANA Professional License confirms the holder’s current approved professional role, level, and scope within the NWANA system.

Completing a course or receiving a certificate does not automatically activate an Instructor License.

NWANA must confirm that the applicant has satisfied the education, assessment, practical, experience, and other requirements applicable to the requested license.

Annual License Period

Active NWANA Instructor and specialist licenses remain valid through December 31 of the applicable license year.

RunSignup automatically prorates the annual license fee according to the time remaining in that license year.

Licenses do not renew automatically.

Continued active status may require current education, continuing professional development, updated assessments, documented activity, policy compliance, or other requirements applicable to the new license year.

Professional Scope and Responsibility

An Instructor License applies only to the professional level and scope identified by that license.

An Instructor License does not automatically:

• grant Coach, Judge, Race Director, or Competition Technical Official status;

• authorize medical, therapeutic, rehabilitation, or other regulated professional services;

• authorize instruction involving minor participants without the required additional licenses and conditions;

• appoint the holder to a particular program, organization, team, or event;

• guarantee employment, clients, assignments, or compensation;

• replace any license, certification, permission, or qualification required by applicable law or by the organization responsible for the program.

The instructor must work within the approved scope of the active license and comply with current NWANA standards, policies, codes of conduct, and professional requirements.

Continue Your Instructor Development