Coaching Requirements

USA Hockey Requirements (Must be completed before participating in any team activities)

• Register as a member of USA Hockey: Click here for more information
• Complete your Background Screening (every 2 years): Click here for more information
• Complete the USA Hockey SafeSport: Click here for more information

Coaching Education Program Online Age-Specific Requirements

(Must be completed PRIOR to participating in any team activities and cannot be added to a roster until completed)

• Complete the online age-specific module(s) for the age level of play you are coaching: Click here to register for the modules
• All coaches must have the required certification level by December 31st of the current season
• All coaches must enter USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program at the 6U/8U clinic if coaching Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, and/or 6U/8U classifications, or a Level 1 Clinic if they are coaching a 10U classification and above.
• Coaches at the 6U/8U Level do not need to progress any further until one of the following occurs:
• The coach moves up to another age classification above 8U, OR
• The coach returns to 6U/8U for the fifth consecutive season and the level is now expired.
• Coaches in the 6U/8U Level should NOT take the Level 1 Clinic until they start coaching at the 10U classification and above.
• As of the 2025-2026 season, Level 1 Coaches must continue their education with a coaching clinic each year. A coach may attend only ONE certification clinic per year. This does not include continuing education clinics or modules.
• Effective in the 2022-2023 season, Level 4 coaching certifications are valid for three (3), and Level 5 coaching certifications are valid for four (4) seasons, each as indicated by an expiration date.
• In addition, coaches must also complete online age-specific training modules 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, 6U/8U through Level 5. Coaches may complete more than one age-specific module in any given season. As of the 2023-2024 season, all coaches must complete the Foundations for Player Development and the age-specific modules PRIOR to participating with a team.