USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program Requirements  2022-2023

(1) Required Coaching Education Program Levels for Ice Hockey

All coaches must have the required certification level by January 1 of the current season, unless earlier deadlines are established by the district and/or affiliate. 

All coaches must complete the online age-specific modules PRIOR to participating with their team. 

(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 4. Coaches of only 8 and Under players, as well as coaches of disabled hockey, may remain at Level 1 or other certification level, even if expired, until such time as they are coaching any older age level of play or something other than disabled hockey.

(b) In addition to the training in paragraph (a) above, coaches must also complete online age-specific training modules specific to the level of play they are coaching if they have not already taken the module. This requirement applies to all coaches at all levels, 1 through 5. Coaches may complete more than one age-specific module in any given season.

(c) 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.

(d) Grandfather Clause
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 as required in (c) above.

(e) Previous/Expired Certifications
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 in (a) through (c) above and/or (f) below.

(f) Continuing Education (CE) Recertifications

• Continuing education credits will expire after three years for all Level 4 coaches
• Continuing education credits will expire after four years for all Level 5 coaches
• Continuing education hours will not be permitted to accumulate "bank" toward recertification until after a coach receives his/her Level 4 certification