NEW YORK STATE COACHING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Categories of persons who may coach in New York State secondary schools and the requirements for each:

1. CERTIFIED PHYSICAL  EDUCATION  TEACHERS 

May coach any sport at any school.  Must have current SED approved First Aid and CPR certification  prior to the  first day of practice.

2. CERTIFIED CLASSROOM TEACHERS   

Requirements Prior to 9-1-74:

Those who began coaching prior to 9-1-74 may coach any sport , but only in the school for which they coached prior to 9-1-74 (grandfather clause).  Must have current  SED approved First Aid and CPR certification prior to the first day of practice.

Requirements  After 9-1-74:

*SED approved First Aid and CPR certification prior to first day of practice
*Completion of an approved course on  Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics  (minimum 3 semester hours or 45 clock hours)  prior to the start of the third season
*For strenuous/contact sports:  Completion of an approved course in Theory and Techniques of Coaching (minimum 2 semester hours or 30 clock hours) and completion of an approved course in Health Sciences Applied to Coaching  (minimum 3 semester hours or 45 clock hours) prior to the start of the fourth season

All courses are to be completed within three years of the initial appointment unless an extension has been approved by the State Education Department.

3. NON-TEACHER COACHES

Requirements/Conditions:

A person who does not hold a current NYS teaching certificate may be employed as a temporary coach only if there are no certified teachers available with experience and qualifications to coach the team.

*Obtain a Temporary Coaching License from the Division of Teacher Education and Certification (this license is temporary and an application for renewal must be filed each year)
*The superintendent of schools shall submit an application for a temporary coaching license in which the inability of the district to obtain the services of a certified teacher with coaching qualifications and experience is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the commissioner
*SED approved First Aid and CPR certification prior to first day of practice
*Must meet all of the same course requirements for coaching as the certified classroom teacher. (However, the non-teacher coach must have completed or be enrolled in an approved course in Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics if they apply for renewal. There is no provision for an extension of time for non-teachers to meet course requirements.)
*Completion of approved courses in:
1.  Child Abuse Identification
2.  Violence Prevention

The temporary coaching license is to be filed with the local BOCES office and  must be approved by BOCES prior to any coaching duties.

NOTES:

FIRST AID IS VALID FOR 3 YEARS, CPR IS VALID FOR 1 YEAR

Sport Categories:

1. Strenuous/Contact Sports:  Football, soccer, track and field (indoor and outdoor), cross country, gymnastics, wrestling, basketball, swimming, baseball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, volleyball, tennis, fencing and badminton.

2. Non-Strenuous/Non-Contact Sports:  Bowling, golf

Questions may be directed to:

Bureau of Physical Education and Safety Education
Room 978 EBA
State Education Department
Albany, NY 12234

(518) 474-5820