Unlike the British system of Ski instructor training and examination the French system does not have different levels or instructor. In the French ski instructor system you are either formally recognised as a stagiere, which means trainee or apprentice or you are fully qualified. There is nothing in between, no tiered levels representing differing degrees of competency. Stagiere status is achieved upon successful completion of the Test Technique an entrance style slalom exam which is then followed by a preformation course. With both of those boxes ticked stagieres in the French system are able to instruct although with limitation on what they can teach, for up to 3 years while they become fully qualified. If it takes longer than three years for them to qualify then time is up and they will be unable to teach again until they have finished.
This is one of the main reasons that it is harder to work in France than other countries as the level of qualification that they consider to be equal to their fully qualified is the BASI 4 which as with being fully qualified in the French system can take people many years to achieve. However individuals who do not hold their BASI level 4 can still work in France, they just need to achieve Stagiere Status. BASI qualified individuals can achieve stagiere status by successfully completing their BASI 2 and the french Test Technique. This then gives them the opportunity to work in France at a stagiere approved school for up to 3 years while they complete either the BASI or French qualification system.
