Coaching Information
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO BECOME A USA HOCKEY COACH?
USA Hockey and the Coaching Education Program require both certification and registration to be eligible to coach. Registration is done online on a yearly basis at www.usahockey.com. Certification is also required but currently not on a yearly basis.
Find, register and attend the required certification clinic(s). Please visit your district/affiliate website for restrictions on the number of clinics you can attend in a single clinic season. A current list of clinics can be found by clicking here. The coaching clinic season for Levels 1-3 officially runs from September 1 to December 31.
I DON'T SEE ANY COACHING CLINICS IN MY AREA
The coaching clinic season for Levels 1-3 officially runs from September 1 to December 31. Level 4 clinics are typically held from April to August with some districts holding them as late as September/October. A current list of clinics can be found by clicking here.
If you don’t see one near you right away, continue to check the website as clinic instructors add clinics on a weekly, if not daily basis. Most clinics have been held by November. If you do not see one in your area, you may need to travel to a neighboring state to locate a clinic before the end of the calendar year or the start of the next clinic season. Clinics are posted by clinic instructors at their discretion. Please contact your District Coach in Chief for more information. All of the contact information for each Coach in Chief can be found by clicking here.
MY NAME DOESN'T APPEAR ON THE COACHES LIST
If your name does not appear on the coaches list or the information does not accurately reflect your current certification level please contact USA Hockey’s National Office. Fax or email a copy of the front and back of your Coaching Education Program card. Please ensure the CEP number, your name, and certification stickers are all visible and legible. Also include your full name, date of birth, current address, telephone number, and email address. Please send to Alison Raines via fax: 719-538-1160 or email: alisonr@usahockey.org. It will take a minimum of 3-5 business days to process your update. Please check the online certification list for verification of when your information is updated. We appreciate your patience during the busier times of the year.
I RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT SAYS I HAVE NOT MET THE REQUIRED PREREQUISITES FOR REGISTERING FOR A CLINIC
- First, check your certification level on the coach’s list.
- If your name does not appear on the coaches list or the information does not accurately reflect your current certification level, please fax or email a copy of the front and back of your Coaching Education Program card. Please ensure the CEP number, your name, and certification stickers are all visible and legible. Also include your full name, date of birth, current address, telephone number, and email address. Please send to Alison Raines via fax: 719-538-1160 or email: alisonr@usahockey.org.
DO ASSISTANT COACHES HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THE HEAD COACH?
Yes. USA Hockey does not distinguish between an assistant and head coach in regards to required certification level. All coaches participating in ALL team functions (i.e. games, scrimmages, practices, try-outs, tournaments, off-ice training, etc.) must meet the same coaching certification level, based upon the level of play coaching.
HOW MANY CLINICS CAN I REGISTER FOR IN A CLINIC SEASON?
USA Hockey does not have any restrictions on the number of clinics a coach can attend in a single clinic season. However, many districts/affiliates do place restrictions on clinic attendance. Please visit your district/affiliate website for information specific to your area, or contact your District Coach in Chief. His contact information can be found by clicking here.