Coaching Requirements
Coaching Education Program Requirements
(1) Required Coaching Education Program Levels for Ice Hockey
USA Hockey requires that all affiliates and/or districts shall establish the following requirements without modifications for all coaches (head and assistant).
All coaches must have the required certification level by January 1 of the current season.
(a) All coaches must enter USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program at Level 1, and must continue their education with a coaching clinic each year until, at a minimum, they achieve Level 3. EXCEPTION: Coaches of 8U or younger players may remain at Level 1 or their current level. A coach may attend only one (1) certification clinic per year (not including age-specific requirements). Coaches who do not coach in continuous years must re-enter the program at the next level when they resume coaching responsibilities. Once Level 3 is achieved, periodic renewal [as outlined in Paragraph (c) below] is required for coaches who have not achieved Level 4. Coaches of national tournament bound teams (Tier I 14U, 16U and 18/19U and Tier II 16U and 18/19U) must complete Level 4 in their fourth season of coaching. Coaches who attain Level 4 certification are not required to attend any further certification clinics but must adhere to the age-specific requirement as outlined in Paragraph (b) below.
(b) In addition to the training in paragraph (a) above, coaches must also complete online age-specific training modules specific to the level of play they are coaching, if they have not already taken that module. This requirement applies to all coaches at all levels, 1 through 5. Coaches may complete more than one age-specific module in any given season.
(c) Coaching certification at Level 3 is valid for two (2) seasons, as indicated by the expiration date.
A coach whose Level 3 is due to expire must take the online Level 3 Recertification Track 1 curriculum or they may move up to Level 4. Level 3 Track 1 Recertification is valid for two (2) seasons.
A coach whose Track 1 Level 3 recertification is due to expire must take the online Level 3 Recertification Track 2 curriculum or move up to Level 4. Level 3 Track 2 Recertification is valid for two (2) seasons.
Coaches whose Track 2 Level 3 Recertification is due to expire must attend a Level 4 clinic prior to the expiration of their Level 3 Recertification.
Coaches must complete the online recertification program in order to recertify their Level 3 certifications. Attending a clinic or workshop is no longer valid for recertifying any certification level.
(d) Grandfather Clause
For coaches who enrolled in the Coaching Education Program prior to May 1, 2011, their entry into the above program will be at their current certification level. Level 1 and 2 coaches must adhere to paragraphs (a) and (b) above, effective May 1, 2011. Current Level 3 coaches must adhere to paragraph (b) and (c) above; effective with the season their Level 3 expires.
This chart outlines the progression for a new coach. Coaches with pre-existing certifications will enter the new program at their current certification level and must adhere to paragraphs 1. (a) and (b) above.
| YEARS OF COACHING | CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|
| Year 1 (ex: 2011-12) | Level 1 clinic + age-specific component |
| Year 2 (ex: 2012-13) | Level 2 clinic + age-specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 3 (ex: 2013-14) | Level 3 clinic (expires Dec. 31, 2015) + age-specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 4 (ex: 2014-15) | No Level certification required but can attend a Level 4 clinic + age-specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 5 (ex: 2015-16) | Complete the online Level 3 Recertification Track 1 (expires Dec. 31, 2017), or attend a Level 4 clinic + age-specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 6 (ex: 2016-17) | No Level certification required but can attend a Level 4 clinic + age-specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 7 (ex: 2017-18) | Complete the online Level 3 Recertification Track 2 (expires Dec. 31, 2019), or attend a Level 4 clinic + age-specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 8 (ex: 2018-19) | No Level certification required but can attend a Level 4 clinic + age-specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 9 (ex: 2019-20) | Must attend a Level 4 clinic + age-specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 10 and beyond | No Level recertification required but must complete age specific component if not previously taken for current age level. Coaches are highly encouraged to attend a continuing education course every two years. |
(2) Evidence of Level
All USA Hockey coaches will possess a USA Hockey Coaching Education Program card with valid certification stickers(if certification was received prior to September 1, 2011), or a printout from the USA Hockey online certification list (if certification was received after September 1, 2011).
It is the responsibility of the local association to identify those coaches who do not meet the certification requirements. All coaches have until December 31 of the current season to attend a USA Hockey coaching clinic and complete the online age-specific playing level module to become properly certified.
Prior to the start of all games throughout the season all coaches are required to indicate their current certification status on the scoresheet, regardless of their certification level. All coaches (except for juniors) must legibly print their USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP) card number, their CEP level (levels 1-5), their online age-specific playing level module and the year their CEP level was attained.
Beginning January 1 of the current season, prior to the start of each game, all coaches present are required to sign the designated area of the score sheet in order to verify the accuracy of the playing roster, as it appears on the score sheet, for that game.
(3) Penalty and Enforcement
All coaches must have current certification and online component verification beginning January 1 of the current playing season. Any coach not in possession of these requirements will be ineligible to coach for the remainder of the season. Districts and/or affiliates are required to uphold this penalty. It will be the responsibility of the local association registering the team to enforce the national policy.