certification > types of certificates and licenses

Coaching License

A temporary coaching license is issued based on employment as a coach in a school where a certified and qualified coach is not available, at the request of the district, and based upon completion of approved pre-service or in-service courses. A certified individual is not issued a temporary coaching license and should contact the athletic director of the school at which there is a vacancy for further information.

The requirements for a temporary coaching license are below:

1. An initial temporary coaching license requires completion of CPR and one of the following first aid courses: First Aid: Responding to Emergencies, or Sports Injury: Emergency First Aid Care and Prevention (given by American Red Cross); First Aid for Coaches; or a first aid course approved by the Division of Physical Education.

2. The first renewal of a temporary coaching license requires enrollment in or completion of an approved course in Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics. The course must be completed before the license can be renewed.

3. For the first or second license, submit Department copy of "Certification of Completion" confirming two hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment. Such training must be taken from an institution of higher education that has a New York State approved teacher education program or from a provider that has been approved by the Post-Licensure Unit of the Office of the Professions, State Education Department.
   
   For a list of providers of both required training coursework go to the Child Abuse Identification and Reporting - Providers page maintained by the Office of Professions or by calling (518) 474-3544.  Contact the individual provider for workshop registration date and time.

4. For the first or second license, submit Department copy of "Certification of Completion" confirming two hours of coursework or training regarding the school violence prevention and intervention in accordance with section 3004 of the Education Law.  Training in school violence prevention and intervention is available through registered teacher education programs at New York State colleges and universities, Coordinated School Health Network Centers located at certain BOCES, and other service providers approved by the State Education Department. 
   
   A list of service providers (by by location or  by provider) is available on the Approved Providers of Training  web page maintained  by the Office of Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Continuing Education.    Contact the individual provider for workshop registration date and time.

5. Within three years of the first temporary licensure as a coach, the applicant must complete additional approved pre-service or in-service courses:

For non-strenuous/non-contact sports, only courses described in #1, #2 and #3 are required. Approved coursework may be taken at registered New York colleges or universities, through Boards of Cooperative Educational Services, local school districts, and various athletic associations.

Public school districts, where certified and qualified coaches are not available, must submit applications for temporary coaching licenses to BOCES in a timely manner, as coaches must be licensed before the beginning of the specific coaching season. Copies of the documentation of requirement completion must accompany each application, along with the fee required by law; and the application must be completed in full. Otherwise, a delay in the receipt of these materials could prevent processing the application before the season commences.