Effective in the 2022-23 season, 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 course work.
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.
Coaches with any expired certification will retain their previous certification 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.
Goaltender courses will no longer be applied as a level up for the general Coaching Education Program track. However, these courses will be applied toward continuing education units for Level 4 and 5 coaches. Both the Bronze clinic and the Silver clinic completion is worth 5 continuing education units.
3rd party continuing education opportunities are available at specific events. Examples of 3rd parties have been NHLCA Clinics, Athletic Health Space, Coaches Site, etc. Keep checking back to this site to see the latest update to which 3rd parties are having continuing education opportunities.
The Level 5 Symposium only counts as 5 credits of continuing education if you are already a Level 5 coach. If you are a Level 4 coach you will receive your Level 5 and your continuing education timeline will restart. Ex: If a coach receives their level 4 in 2023 their expiration date is 2026 to receive 5 credits of continuing education. If that same coach takes the Level 5 in 2024 their new expiration date is 2028 to receive 5 credits of continuing education.
There is no banking of continuing education credits. Continuing Education is mandatory for only Level 4 and 5 coaches. Coaches that are not Level 4 or 5 can do continuing education clinics but will not receive any continuing education credits. Level 4 and 5 coaches will not be able to bank any amount of credits over the mandatory 5 credits for the future. No CE offerings will be considered as a level up in place of clinics.
No. Continuing education classes will be most often available and specific to your district or local area therefore, no transfers or refunds for missing a class.
A coach will not be able to receive a temp card for CE recertifications.
If a coach is actively coaching and does not satisfy their 5 hours of CE recertification by Dec 31 of their expiry year, a coach will need to complete the remaining credits to reach 5 credits before getting on the bench in the current active season.
If a coach goes inactive during their 3- or 4-year recertification window and they do not satisfy their 5 hours by Dec 31 of their expiry year, the coach may re-enter the certification system at that previous level and be subject to the certification guidelines until Dec 31 of the season they enter and earn all 5 credits to be eligible.
Your Coach-In-Chief for your district will be able to direct you or answer your continuing education questions. To find contact information for your District Coach-In-Chief please visit www.usahockey.com/coachesinchief.