USA Hockey Coaching Requirements

STEPS TO BECOME A USA HOCKEY COACH

Here is a list of the steps necessary to complete the USA Hockey certification process. All coaches and assistants must complete the following tasks to be added to the roster. We realize this can be confusing, so please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.  

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

Register as a COACH of USAH for the 2024-2025 season. Registration opens on April 1, 2024 ($46). Click here for more information.

Please note that First-time USAH Coaches will need to Create a Coaching account. Once you complete each requirement, they will appear on your profile, which you will be the only one with access to. 

BACKGROUND SCREENING CHECK: Complete the background Screening form. It takes 5-10 minutes to complete the form but up to two weeks to process, so we recommend doing this early. If you completed this last year, you are all set (these are good for two years). If unsure, please confirm your status on your coach's dashboard. If you do need to renew it, click the screening renewal link. Contact Lorraine Winslow for the link.

SAFESPORT TRAINING: Complete Safe Sport the first time (90 Minutes) or Safe Sport refresher (30 Minutes). Again, the dashboard will guide you to the task, and these need to be renewed annually. Note you need to use your USA hockey number to access the courses. Once you log into your profile, it will tell you which refresher to take. (Please note: After completing Refresher 3, you will have to take the full Core Training course and repeat the process)

Access the training through the link below.  

https://www.usahockey.com/safesporttraining

AGE-SPECIFIC MODULES: NEW-Foundations of Player Development- Before registering for the appropriate age module (see below), you must first complete the Foundations of Player Development course. This is a one-time course that does not need to be repeated. Once the Foundations of Player Development module is completed, there will be a 15-minute window before they can purchase and complete their age-specific module for the age level of play you are coaching this season.

The cost is $20 per module and only needs to be completed once per age level.

Under the new system, each module must be COMPLETE for each age group you are coaching before a coach can be put on a roster. If you are coaching the same age group, you do not have to repeat the modules.



Click here to register for the modules.

COACHING CLINICS Can only attend one clinic per season, and all New coaches start at Level 1. (Must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024, and Oct 31, 2024, for split season teams). The cost is $60

• Online Virtual Clinic: Some clinics will be virtual using the ZOOM video conferencing software. These virtual clinics will have "breakout" rooms for small-group discussions as part of the learning experience. These virtual clinics will take place in two … sessions on two separate days. Coaches must attend both sessions to get credit for the clinic. Please remember that you will need a good, solid internet connection to participate in these virtual clinics. Several Districts have already scheduled a few virtual clinics posted on the USA Hockey website.​
• In-Person Clinic: There is still a chance that clinics will be offered in-person, but the timing and how these clinics can take place safely is still uncertain. These clinics will depend on the "openness" of each of the states in the New England District, safety protocol, and how comfortable coaches and instructors feel in an in-person clinic. Click here to locate a clinic.

USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program Requirements 

(1) Required Coaching Education Program Levels for Ice Hockey

All coaches must have the required certification level by January 1 of the current season unless the district and/or affiliate establish earlier deadlines. See the above earlier deadline dates for Clinic:

All coaches must complete the online age-specific modules PRIOR to participating with their team. 

(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 4. Coaches of only 8 and Under players, as well as coaches of disabled hockey, may remain at Level 1 or another certification level, even if expired, until such time as they are coaching any older age level of play or something other than disabled hockey.

(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 the 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) Level 4 coaching certifications are valid for three (3) seasons, and Level 5 coaching certifications are valid for four (4) seasons, each as indicated by an expiration date. Before the expiration of their level, coaches must accumulate 5 credit hours of continuing education by attending USA Hockey continuing education offerings. The USA Hockey clinic listings will indicate all continuing education offerings and the credit value of each. The Coaching Education Program retains the responsibility for defining continuing education credit values, including clinic or online coursework. Your expiration date will no longer be a lifetime once you are put on a T1 or T2. Check your Coaching profile for the new expiration date.

(d) Grandfather Clause

For those coaches who received Level 4 or Level 5 PRIOR TO January 1, 2021, and who are coaching or begin to coach after this date, any Tier I or Tier II teams will be required to do continuing education as required in (c) above.

(e) Previous/Expired Certifications

Coaches with expired certifications will retain their previous levels, provided the certification can be verified. Coaches may re-enter the certification system at that previous level and be subject to the certification guidelines in (a) through (c) above and/or (f) below.

(f) Continuing Education (CE) Recertifications

• Continuing education credits will expire after three years for all Level 4 coaches.
• Continuing education credits will expire after four years for all Level 5 coaches.
• Continuing education hours will not be permitted to accumulate "bank" toward recertification until after a coach receives their Level 4 certification.