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MeAHA Coaching Education Requirements

Helmet Policy

All ice hockey coaches and instructors of registered USA Hockey Youth 18 & Under and below, high school, girls’/women’s 19 & under and below, and disabled programs must properly wear an approved ice hockey helmet during all on-ice sessions, including practices, controlled scrimmages and all Coaching Education Program clinics and/or workshops.

YEARS OF COACHINGCERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 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 arehighly encouraged to attend a continuing education course every two years

Coaching Requirements

 B. 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 4certification 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 agespecific training components specific to the level of play they are coaching, if they have not already taken that component. This requirement applies to all coaches at all levels, 1 through 5. Coaches may complete more than one age-specific component in any given season.
               c. Coaching certification at Level 3 is valid for two (2) seasons, as indicated by the expiration date on the Level 3 sticker. 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.
 

Please refer to this document. 

Level 3 Coaches Please Refer To

If you are currently a Level 3 coach please refer to the following regarding Level 4:

The following should be made clear to coaches in your area:

  • If a coach has been certified at Level 3 for the past 9 years they will need to proceed to a Level 4 clinic. That means they have taken Level 3, been re-certified at least twice by going online or taking classroom recertification or repeating a Level 3 clinic.
  • If a coach has been coaching for 9 years and has followed process of Level 1 for 3 years, Level 2 for 3 years and Level 3 for 3 years, they fall into the Grandfather Clause and need to begin the recertification process with Track 1.