WELCOME
This page contains all of the information that you will need to acquire and maintain certification to coach within the DCSAA.
Beginning with the 2019 fall athletic season, ALL coaches that coach within DCSAA member schools must be certified.
Please check this page regularly to stay up to date.
WHY DOES THE DCSAA REQUIRE CERTIFICATION?
- To protect and improve the health and safety of our student-athletes
- To stay relevant and current concerning topics around high school athletics and coaching
- To ensure that our coaches are lifelong learners
Links and information for each certification component are below.
COACHES CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- First Aid, CPR, AED certification
- NFHS Concussion in Sports course completion
- NFHS Heat Illness Prevention course completion
- DCSAA Rules Knowledge Exam (NFHS) completion
- NFHS COVID – 19 for Coaches and Administrators
- At least five (5) hours of continuing education. At least two (2) must be sports specific.
**Continuing education courses must be renewed on a two year basis.
SUBMITTING CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTS FOR YOURSELF
Use the registration link below to submit your DCSAA Coaching Certification Documents. You must register via this link BEFORE the start of the 2019 fall athletic season in order to be eligible to coach.
You may begin the registration process and come back to it at a later date. Please see the How to Edit DCSAA Online Forms document for assistance.
SUBMITTING CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTS FOR YOUR COACHES
While we encourage you to have your coaches submit their own information, you may complete the coach certification process for each of your coaches. If you choose to do this, please make note of the following:
- You must register your coaches one at a time.
- Its easier if you have all of the required documentation before you begin entering information.
- After the “Welcome” page, you will be asked “Who are you registering?”. Choose the “A New Person” option and you will be prompted to enter the coach’s name.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
The DCSAA requires that you complete at least five (5) hours of continuing education every two (2) years in order to maintain certification. Two (2) of the five (5) hours MUST be sport specific.
Each registered coach will have two (2) years from the start of the 2019 fall athletic season, or from the date of their first registration, to complete this requirement.
NOTE: You do not need to have completed this requirement for initial certification.
What counts as continuing education?
This requirement is meant to be flexible. There are many clinics and courses available through multiple sources. Some examples of education hours that would be accepted:
- Courses required by your league that are not required for DCSAA certification.
- In-person coaching clinics.
- Online courses through NFHS or other reputable organizations.
How do I receive credit?
In order to receive credit for courses taken, you will be asked to submit proof of participation and a course agenda or outline. Proof of participation can be a registration receipt, certificate, or signed letter from the course organizers.
IN-PERSON HEALTH AND SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS
Each coach is responsible for gaining and maintaining certifications in each of the following:
- First Aid, CPR, AED Certification
There are several providers that offer these certifications and the DCSAA does not mandate that you use any one provider. Links for two providers are below.
ONLINE COURSES
Below are links to the NFHS Learn website where you can access the following courses.
Please understand the DCSAA requires only the courses circled in the photo below that are free of charge. The DCSAA Rules Exam is titled “District of Columbia Component” on the NFHS website.
