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Standards and Instruction

NYS P-12 Learning Standards by Content Area

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Coach Preparation & Licensing

People who are interested in becoming a coach but who are not certified NYS physical education teachers must complete a sequence of coaching courses in one of 2 pathways: Individual Evaluation of SED coursework or National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) coursework.

These pathways are separate roads to certification and all coursework completed must fall in one certification pathway. Completed requirements in one pathway cannot be carried over into another pathway.

A person who does not hold a current New York State teaching certificate may be appointed as a temporary coach only if there are no certified teachers available with experience and qualifications to coach the team. The non-teacher coach must obtain a Temporary Coaching license.

Those interested in becoming certified can read through the resources below to learn more about New York State Coaching requirements.

For specific guidance on obtaining a teaching license in physical education, visit the Office of Teaching Initiatives' website. Their team specializes in the certification process and will provide you with the necessary steps to obtain your teaching certificate.

Additionally, if you are considering a coaching role and do not currently hold a teaching certificate, the Office of Teaching Initiatives can assist you in exploring the relevant licensing options.

NYS Certified Teacher – No application necessary

Non-NYS Certified Teacher – Must apply for a license on TEACH Website

Individual Evaluation Pathway (SED Coursework)

The Individual Evaluation Pathway provides the ability to complete the coaching course requirements through SED approved providers. Those interested in this pathway should contact their local district, athletic section, or BOCES for more information on where to take these courses and to register.

For Certified Teachers, School Leaders or Pupil Personnel Service Providers

In addition to the Concussion Management, first aid/CPR requirement prior to starting to coach, the NYS certified teacher must complete Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education within two years from the date of initial appointment as a coach. Next, the certified teacher must complete Health Sciences Applied to Coaching and Theory and Techniques of Coaching (Sport Specific) within five years of appointment as a coach.

These individuals do not need to apply for a coaching certificate or submit documentation to your NYSED TEACH account. Coaching-related documents should be monitored at the local level and not sent to NYSED. Documents that are sent to NYSED will not be uploaded to the Teach account.  

Coaching Coursework Timeline

Completed within two years from date of initial appointment as coach

Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education

Completed within five years from date of initial appointment as coach

Health Sciences Applied to Coaching

Theory and techniques of Coaching (Sport Specific)

 

For Non-NYS Certified Teacher Coaches

Non-teacher coaches must hold a Temporary Coaching License (TCL) or a Professional Coaching License (PCL) in order to be appointed to a coaching position. Coaches wishing to obtain either of these licenses should apply online via TEACH.  Applicants are encouraged to check the status of their applications via the TEACH system.  The license will show up as “issued” once it has been approved. The State no longer generates hard copies of issued licenses as all records are maintained electronically. SED will contact the applicant directly with a “notice of incomplete requirements” if necessary. 

 

Individual Evaluation For Temporary Coaching license

Initial application (first-time coaching applicant) & first renewal (second season coach)

2nd-4th Renewal Requirements

(Third to fifth season coaches)
  • All items required for the initial TCL
  • Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Coaching Course

 

 

Individual Evaluation For Professional Coaching license (PCL) (valid for 3 years)

Completed within five years from date of initial appointment as coach.

 

May apply after three TCLS and all courses are completed.
  • All items required for initial TCL
  • Health Science as it Relates to Coaching
  • Techniques of Coaching (sport specific)
  • Three TCLs on file (sport specific)
  • Three years of satisfactory evaluations (sport specific)

Professional Coaching License Renewal

(Valid for 3 years)
  • All items required for initial PCL
  • Three years satisfactory experience as a NY Licensed Coach
    • A Coaching Evaluation Form must be completed for any applicant who is applying for a Professional coaching application.  Completed evaluations should be sent to tcert@nysed.gov Attn: Coaching
    • The evaluations must be within the validity of your most recent Professional or Professional Renewal coaching license for the sport
NFHS Pathway

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) pathway allows individuals who are not NYS certified in physical education to become coaches. This pathway requires the completion of self-paced modules via online coursework coupled with a 30-hour internship. Courses are provided online at www.nfhslearn.com. Those interested in this pathway should visit the NFHS National Coaching Credentials overview for registration more information.

Coaches must hold a certificate of completion for Concussion Management, first-aid, and CPR prior to the first day of coaching. Choosing classes from the Courses Accepted as Meeting the Coaches First-Aid Requirement will satisfy this need.

For NYS Certified Teachers, School Leaders or Pupil Personnel Service Providers

In addition to the first aid/CPR requirement prior to starting to coach, the NYS certified teacher must obtain the NFHS Coach Level 2 credential within two years from the date of initial appointment as a coach. Once this level is attained, the NYS certified teacher must then acquire the NFHS Coach Level 3 credential and complete a 30-hour internship within five years of appointment as a coach.

These individuals do not need to apply for a coaching certificate or submit documentation to their NYSED TEACH account. Coaching-related documents should be monitored at the local level and not sent to NYSED. Documents that are sent to NYSED will not be uploaded to the Teach account.  

 

NFHS Pathway for NYS Certified Teachers (No additional certification necessary)

Completed within two years from date of initial appointment as coach

NFHS Coach Level 2

Completed within five years from date of initial appointment as coach

NFHS Coach Level 3

30-hour internship

 

 

For Non-NYS Certified Teacher Coaches

Non-teacher coaches must hold a Temporary Coaching License (TCL) or a Professional Coaching License (PCL) in order to be appointed to a coaching position. Coaches wishing to obtain either of these licenses should apply online via TEACH.  Applicants are encouraged to check the status of their applications via the TEACH system.  The license will show up as “issued” once it has been approved. The State no longer generates hard copies of issued licenses as all records are maintained electronically. SED will contact the applicant directly with a “notice of incomplete requirements” if necessary. 

NFHS Pathway For Temporary Coaching license

Initial application (first-time coaching applicant) & first renewal (second season coach)

2nd-4th Renewal Requirements

(Third to fifth season coaches)

All items required for the initial TCL

NFHS Coach Level 2

 

NFHS Pathway For Professional Coaching license (PCL) (valid for 3 years)

Completed within five years from date of initial appointment as coach.

 

May apply after three TCLS and all courses are completed.

All items required for initial TCL

NFHS Coach Level 3

30-hour internship

Professional Coaching License Renewal

(Valid for 3 years)

All items required for initial PCL

Three years satisfactory experience as a NY Licensed Coach

  • A Coaching Evaluation Form must be completed for any applicant who is applying for a Professional coaching application.  Completed evaluations should be sent to tcert@nysed.gov Attn: Coaching
  • The evaluations must be within the validity of your most recent Professional or Professional Renewal coaching license for the sport

 

Coaching Course Extensions and Equivalencies

Application for Extensions To Complete the Course Requirements:

  • The Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education course must be completed within two years of your initial appointment.  There is no extension available for this requirement to apply for a 2nd renewal. 
  • This application is a request for the State Education Department to give an extension of time to meet the coaching courses required by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Section 135.4.
  • An extension of up to two additional years to complete the last two courses may be obtained if there is sufficient reason given for an extension. 
  • An extension of up to two additional years may be granted by application to the Commissioner for extenuating circumstances that resulted in a lapse of coaching service from the time of initial appointment as a coach.
  • Application for Coaching Course Extension

Applications for equivalent experience in lieu of Coaching Courses:

  • This application is a request for the State Education Department to give credit for equivalents to the coaching courses required by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Section 135.4 in lieu of attending courses offered by approved agencies. 
  • Approval for equivalent experience applied to the Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education course is seldom given because few people received the practical experiences of working with the specific rules, regulations and interpretations which govern athletics in New York State schools.
  • Application for Equivalent Experience