Coaching FAQsUSA 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. A few basic steps are as follows: - http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=CO_02&ID=19532&USAHockeyType=ICE
WHY DOES MY 2010/11 LEVEL 1 OR 2 CERTIFICATION EXPIRE DEC. 31, 2011? All coaches must adhere to the new Coaching Education Program guidelines that go into effect on September 1, 2011. The new standards require you to attend one clinic every year for Levels 1-3. In an effort to begin educating coaches, we made the 2010-11 stickers reflect the need to attend a clinic next season in accordance with the new standards that will go into effect on September 1, 2011.
WHY DOES MY 2010/11 LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATION EXPIRE DEC. 31, 2012?
All coaches must adhere to the new Coaching Education Program guidelines that go into effect on September 1, 2011. The new standards have the Level 3 certification valid for two seasons. In an effort to begin educating coaches, we made the 2010-11 stickers reflect the need to attend a clinic during the 2012-13 season in accordance with the new standards that will go into effect on September 1, 2011.
I DO NOT 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:
http://www.usahockey.com/viewallclinics.aspx
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 here: http://www.usahockey.com//Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=CO_03&ID=19526
USA HOCKEY’S REFUND/TRANSFER POLICY FOR CLINICS LEVEL 1, 2, & 3 - Registrants for Levels 1-3 will be allowed to transfer their clinic fee to another posted, open clinic up to 48 hours before the start of the originally scheduled clinic. We are unable to “hold” registration fees. You must select a clinic to transfer to or apply for a refund. Transfers can only occur between clinics of the same level and only to clinics held during the same clinic season.
- Please send the date, city, state, and level of the original clinic and the clinic you want to transfer into to Alison Raines at alisonr@usahockey.org.
- Level 4 clinic fees are non-transferable and will be subject to the refund rules below.
- A processing fee of $10 will be deducted from all credits/refunds.
- A full refund, minus the processing fee, will be granted if requested in writing at least two weeks before the start of the original clinic.
- A 50% refund, minus the processing fee, will be granted if requested in writing 2-14 days before the start of the original clinic.
- No refunds or transfers will be granted if the request is made within 48 hours of the start of the originally scheduled clinic or after the originally scheduled clinic has started.
- ALL REFUND REQUESTS REQUIRE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL ONLINE TRANSACTION AND THE TRANSACTION ID. Both of these items are found on the Clinic Confirmation Receipt you receive immediately after registering. You are asked to print out this receipt and keep for your records. NO REFUNDS WILL BE PROCESSED WITHOUT THIS RECEIPT.
Click the link below for the Clinic Refund Form: http://wwa.usahockey.com/uploadedFiles/USAHockey/Menu_Coaches/Menu_FAQ/CLINIC%20REFUND%20FORM.pdf
LOST OR DAMAGED COACHING EDUCATION PROGRAM (CEP) CARD
For coaches who have attended a clinic and received a blue CEP card and have misplaced it, replacement cards may be obtained here. Please print out and fill out the form, giving as much information as possible, as it may be necessary to manually search for records. This process can take a minimum of 2-4 weeks. You can print off your certification information from our online certification as proof until your new card arrives. Please click on the following link to obtain the Replacement Card Form:
http://www.usahockey.com/LinkedDocs/d/2/3/d234ca88-adfd-428c-8385-99cebb112bc9.pdf
I NEED TO OBTAIN MY CEP# AND CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
I NEED PROOF OF MY CERTIFICATION
Please check the online certification list to locate your specific information.
http://www.usahockey.com/CoachingClinicCertSearch.aspx
Start with as little information in the search fields as possible. Use just your last name or just your CEP # if you know it. If you cannot locate any information there you will need to contact your District Coach in Chief to have him search his records.
MY COACHING LEVEL ON THE COACHES LIST IS INCORRECT.
MY NAME DOESN’T APPEAR ON THE COACHES LIST AT ALL.
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 at 719-538-1160 or email to 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.
1. First, check your certification level on the coach’s list.
http://www.usahockey.com/CoachingClinicCertSearch.aspx
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 at 719-538-1160 or email to alisonr@usahockey.org
2. Second, if your certification level is correct and your name matches the online certification list, then your date of birth or address is incorrect in our database. Please send your full name, date of birth, current address, telephone number, and email address to Alison Raines at alisonr@usahockey.org
WHEN DOES MY CURRENT CERTIFICATION LEVEL EXPIRE?
Coaching certification levels are valid for three years; however, you must be certified for the level of play you are currently coaching.
NOTE: USA Hockey establishes the maximum duration of certification. Each District and/or Affiliate may establish tougher standards. Check your District/Affiliate website for further information.
If you received your card prior to the current 2005/06 season, your certification level sticker does not contain an expiration date. Please check the following chart for expiration dates: Season Certification Received | Year Certification Expires | 2003/04 | Expired | 2004/05 | Expired | 2005/06 | Expired | 2006/07 | Expired | 2007/08 | Dec. 31, 2010 | 2008/09 | Dec. 31, 2011 | 2009/10 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
If you are Level 1 or Level 2 coach, you must move up to the next Level and attend a clinic before the expiration date to remain a current coach.
If you are a Level 3 coach, you must attend another Level 3 clinic, move up and attend a Level 4 clinic, or complete the online recertification program through FlexxCoach before the expiration date to remain a current coach. All of the FlexxCoach information can be found here: http://wwa.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=CO&id=19518&USAHockeyType=ICE
If you have questions specific to the FlexxCoach program, please read the above page first. If you have additional questions, contact FlexxCoach directly at 602-903-5808, Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm Mountain time.
If certification below Level 4 was received more than 3 years from the current calendar year the card is rendered invalid/expired. Level 1 or 2 coaches must attend a clinic at the next level, and Level 3 coaches must chose one of the four recertification options (attend a Level 3 clinic, attend a Level 4 clinic, attend a High Performance Workshop offering Level 3 certification, or complete the online recertification program) in order to reactivate their status. As long as a coach can submit proof of previous certification, (i.e. CEP card, receipts from clinics, online coach certification list) he/she does not have to start back at Level 1. The coach may attend the next level clinic to reactivate his/her status. Level 4 and 5 certifications do not expire and require no recertification.
I COMPLETED THE FLEXXCOACH PROGRAM BUT HAVEN’T RECEIVED MY STICKER YET OR BEEN UPDATED ON THE ONLINE CERTIFICATION LIST.
Please be patient. FlexxCoach submits a report to USA Hockey. USA Hockey personnel then verifies the eligibility of all participants listed, updates the database and then sends stickers to eligible recipients. This whole process can take up to four weeks. You can use your FlexxCoach certificate as proof of your Level 3 re-certification until your sticker arrives.
WHAT LEVEL CERTIFICATION DO I NEED TO COACH THIS YEAR?
NOTE: USA Hockey establishes the minimum requirements for certification. These requirements are based on the level of play you are currently coaching. Each District and/or Affiliate may require higher certification levels. Check your District/Affiliate website for further information.
Refer to the chart on this page for specific minimum requirements:
http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=CO_02&ID=19532&USAHockeyType=ICE
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.
I WANT TO USE A STUDENT COACH. WHAT ARE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS?
A player between the ages of 13 and 17 who is currently properly registered with USA Hockey may serve as a student coach under the following conditions: - Must always be under the supervision of a carded, screened adult coach during all practices, clinics, try-outs, and in the locker room.
- May help out at practices, clinics, try-outs only. (May not participate as a player in scrimmages or games when acting as a STUDENT COACH).
- May not act as the head coach or an assistant coach during practices or games.
- May be on the bench during games with an adult. The STUDENT COACH will count as one of the maximum of four Team Officials allowed on the bench.
- Must wear a helmet with full face shield, gloves, and skates while on the ice. Must wear helmet during games while on the bench.
- May only work with players at least one full playing age level down (e.g., a Bantam age player may act as a STUDENT COACH at the Pee Wee, Squirt or Mite level).
- http://www.usahockey.com/LinkedDocs/c/8/f/c8f2fa88-dbb8-48d7-964c-e27b6c8bdfce.pdf
- Upon reaching the age of 18, the STUDENT COACH must comply with the USA Hockey Screening Program and meet the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program requirements which will qualify him/her to act as an assistant or head coach.
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 here:
http://www.usahockey.com//Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=CO_03&ID=19526 |