Frequently Asked Questions

The Nordic Walking Association of North America (NWANA) is a U.S. nonprofit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as a public charity. NWANA is the continental governing and sanctioning body for competitive Nordic Walking across North America.

NWANA develops Nordic Walking education, professional pathways, licenses, local NW Groups, competition rules, events, results, rankings, safety standards, partnerships, sponsorships, fundraising programs, and public resources. NWANA connects participants, athletes, professionals, communities, organizations, organizers, partners, sponsors, donors, and volunteers through one developing Nordic Walking system.

NWANA's primary geographic responsibility is North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the wider North American region. Some virtual competitions, educational resources, and other programs may also be available to participants outside North America when stated in the applicable program information.

Start with the Choose Your Path page.

Yes. You do not need previous Nordic Walking experience to begin. You may explore introductory education through NWANA Academy (academy.nwaofna.org), join an NW Group, obtain an appropriate Individual License, or participate in an activity or competition that is open to beginners.

No. NWANA Academy offers education for many audiences, including beginners, participants, athletes, leaders, instructors, coaches, judges, race directors, officials, organizers, and other roles.

A course is an educational program. A certification confirms successful completion of specified education and assessments. A license is a separate NWANA authorization connected with a defined role, category, level, or scope. Completing a course or receiving a certificate does not automatically activate a license.

NWANA's licensing system includes several separate areas: Athlete Licenses for competitive participation when required; Individual and Group Licenses within the NW Groups system; Professional Licenses for instructors, coaches, judges, Race Directors, and Competition Technical Officials. Each license has its own purpose, eligibility requirements, scope, term, and activation process.

Athlete Licenses are available through license.nwaofna.org. An Athlete License is required only when the rules for a particular competition expressly require one.

No. An Individual License issued through the NWANA Nordic Walking Groups system is not an Athlete License. If an Athlete License is required for a particular competition, it must be obtained separately through the NWANA athlete licensing website.

NWANA is developing progressive pathways for: Nordic Walking Instructors; Nordic Walking Coaches; Competition Judges; Race Directors; Competition Technical Officials. Each pathway has its own education, practical preparation, assessments, experience requirements, and licenses. Professional Pathways

Every NWANA professional pathway begins with the Nordic Walking Instructor – Beginner Level Certification through NWANA Academy. This course establishes the fundamental understanding of Nordic Walking technique, equipment, movement principles, safety, and professional responsibility required before entering more advanced education.

No. NWANA professional education develops step by step. Previous education or experience may be considered, but it does not automatically authorize a person to bypass required NWANA education, assessment, practical preparation, or licensing requirements.

No. Course completion and licensing are separate. After completing the required education, an applicant must satisfy the applicable eligibility, verification, practical, and license-activation requirements.

An NW Group connects people through Nordic Walking within a particular community, organization, territory, or program category. NWANA can establish a dedicated group page and provide tools for registrations, communications, activities, events, fundraising, ticket sales, donations, and continued group development. NW Groups

Yes. If an appropriate group already exists, you may obtain the applicable Individual License and join it. If no group exists in the selected area or category, you may become the first licensed participant connected with the formation of a new group.

No. An Individual License does not require you to create or lead a group, organize activities, or conduct events. However, it does not prevent you from becoming involved in those activities if you choose to do so and satisfy any applicable requirements.

A group connected with a specific company, school, university, government agency, healthcare organization, faith community, sports organization, homeowners association, or other established organization must be created by that organization or with its permission. An Individual License does not authorize the use of another organization's name, logo, facilities, communication channels, or other resources.

RECOGNIZED status is an optional advanced status for a group that has developed the leadership, participation, programs, administration, financial readiness, and other capabilities required by NWANA. The group must be prepared to manage its own payment account and expanded website tools. NWANA will help the group prepare for this transition.

NWANA currently conducts scheduled virtual distance competitions through the NWANA Open Nordic Walking Series. Participants can register, complete the published distance, submit the required evidence, and follow official results and standings. Competition Calendar

Yes. NWANA is establishing a broader competition system that includes Stadium, Road, Cross-Country, and Relay competition. A particular event or championship is confirmed only when NWANA publishes its official name, date, location, registration information, rules, and competition designation. NWANA Nordic Walking Sport

NWANA Events may include clinics, workshops, education sessions, community programs, fundraising events, recognition events, partner gatherings, forums, and other organizational activities. Competitive events involving official rules, judging, results, rankings, qualification, or sanctioning belong within the NWANA Sport system. See the Events page.

NWANA may work with organizations, venues, municipalities, schools, universities, companies, nonprofits, clubs, community groups, and other qualified hosts. The event format, responsibilities, branding, registration, financial structure, safety requirements, and organizational relationship must be agreed upon with NWANA.

Yes, but an independently organized competition does not automatically become an official NWANA competition. Contact NWANA before presenting or promoting an event as affiliated with, recognized by, approved by, or sanctioned by NWANA.

A partner works with NWANA to develop programs, locations, education, groups, events, community access, technology, outreach, or other practical initiatives. A sponsor primarily provides financial or material support and receives recognition appropriate to the supported program, audience, and sponsorship arrangement. An organization may serve as both a partner and a sponsor when appropriate.

Review the partnership opportunities and contact NWANA with information about your organization, audience, resources, location, and proposed area of collaboration. Partner with NWANA

Sponsors may support education, instructor development, competitions, events, awards, technology, local groups, community access, safety programs, athlete opportunities, or broader organizational growth. Sponsorship arrangements are developed according to the supported program, geographic reach, audience, visibility, and level of involvement. Sponsor NWANA

You may make a donation, support a designated fund, create a personal fundraiser, organize a team fundraiser, ask about employer matching gifts, or sponsor a specific NWANA program. Support and Funds

NWANA is a U.S. nonprofit public charity recognized under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Donations may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors should consult their tax advisor regarding their individual circumstances.

NWANA may offer opportunities involving events, committees, regional development, technical work, public outreach, professional programs, organizational projects, and other areas. Opportunities depend on current organizational needs and may require relevant experience, qualifications, screening, review, selection, or appointment.

No. NWANA does not diagnose medical conditions or create medical, treatment, or rehabilitation programs. NWANA provides Nordic Walking education, technical standards, professional pathways, and sport expertise. Healthcare professionals and authorized healthcare organizations remain responsible for any medical or rehabilitation programs they develop or supervise.

NWANA seeks to expand Nordic Walking opportunities for people with different abilities, backgrounds, ages, and participation needs. Specific accommodations depend on the program, competition, location, available personnel, and safety requirements. Contact NWANA before registering if you require an accommodation or need help identifying an appropriate pathway.

NWANA activities involving minors must follow applicable participant-protection, supervision, consent, communication, reporting, and safety requirements. Professional roles involving participants under age 18 may require additional education, authorization, screening, or program-specific approval.

NWANA's Safe Sport Policy addresses participant protection, youth safety, misconduct prevention, reporting expectations, adult-youth boundaries, and safe program culture. Safe Sport Policy

The Governance & Policies page provides access to legal policies, conduct and safety standards, Safe Sport, Anti-Doping information, public resources, forms, brand materials, press resources, and official contact pathways.

The NWANA name, logos, marks, and official identity materials may not be used in a way that suggests authorization, endorsement, recognition, partnership, sponsorship, or sanctioning without permission. Review the applicable brand resources or contact NWANA before using NWANA identity materials publicly. Brand assets

Media representatives may use the NWANA Press Kit and Contact for Media / Partners pages for approved descriptions, background information, public materials, and interview or media requests.

Review all pathways on the Choose Your Path page. If none clearly fits your interests, community, organization, or proposed activity, contact NWANA and describe what you want to do. NWANA will help direct you to the most appropriate existing pathway or consider whether another approach is needed.

For general questions, use the Contact page or email info@nwaofna.org. Please identify the program, license, course, group, competition, event, partnership, sponsorship, donation, or policy connected with your question so it can be directed appropriately.