Coaching Requirements

To be officially rostered and eligible to coach for the Vail Mountaineers during the 2025–2026 season, all requirements listed below must be completed. Coaches can now view their coaching status on USA Hockey's new LMS system at https://lms.usahockeylearningcenter.com/learn.



✅ Required Steps for All Coaches

(Click the blue links below to access each site)

STEP 1 - USA Hockey Registration

*REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO COACH

• Required annually. The 4th digit will indicate the year of expiration. For the current season, this digit should be a "6".
• You will receive a confirmation email with your USA Hockey registration number. Please keep your registration number available and receipt to be reimbursed

USA Hockey registration is required for all players and coaches who take the ice. This is effectively your insurance that helps cover medical expenses in the event of a hockey related injury.

Click to Register with USA Hockey

STEP 2. - SafeSport Certification

*REQUIRED BEFORE GETTING ON THE ICE.

• 90-minute training video with knowledge checks.
• SafeSport certification is valid for 12 months.
• Coaches must take:
• A Core Course every 4 years
• Followed by three annual refresher courses
• Certification is mandatory every season.

Safesport is an online module to help coaches and volunteers become aware of the information necessary to help prevent abuse from occurring in our sport.

STEP 3. - Background Screening

*REQUIRED BEFORE GETTING ON THE ICE.

USA Hockey has implemented a national level background screening policy

• Cost: $30 (valid for two years).
• Completed through NCSI.
• Processing takes approximately 10–14 business days.
• You cannot be rostered until this is complete.
• Use the pre-filled self-registration ID (35615801) — do not change this number.

STEP 4. - Age-Specific Coaching Module

*REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ROSTER AND COACH

USA Hockey requires that coaches take an online courses for both the specific age of players that you will be coaching and another one covering player safety. You only have to take each module once specific to the age you are coaching.

• One-time requirement per age group.
• Available through USA Hockey.

STEP 5. - Coaching Education Program (CEP)

• All coaches begin at Level 1 (L1).
• CEP Deadline: December 31, 2024 for coaches at 10U and older.
• 8U coaches may coach with an expired L1, but must have completed L1.
• CEP Levels:
• Level 1–3: Valid for 1 year each.
• Level 4: Valid for 3 years; requires 5 continuing ed credits to renew.
• Level 5: Valid for 4 years; also requires 5 continuing ed credits.
• 👉 Find a CEP Clinic

*REQUIRED ANNUALLY PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31ST

Coaches not completing their course will be automatically removed from the roster by USA Hockey.

STEP 6. - Concussion Training

• Free and required annually.
• Choose one of the following:
• NFHS Concussion in Sports

*REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLY TO ROSTER AND COACH

In addition to your in-person coaching certification USA Hockey requires that coaches take an online courses for both the specific age of players that you will be coaching and another one covering player safety. You only have to take each module once specific to the age you are coaching.

1. Register with USA Hockey: membership.usahockey.com
2. Complete the required SafeSport training: usahockey.com/safesporttraining
3. Complete the required background screening: usahockey.com/backgroundscreen
4. Complete the Age Specific Training Module for the level of play that you are coaching: usahockey.com/agespecificmodules
5. Register for a Coaching Clinic: usahockey.com/coachingclinics
6. Concussion Awareness training: Yearly requirement per Colorado State Law (SB - 40). Coaches may take any Concussion Training that meets the Colorado State Law mandated training. Our suggested option is: NFHS Concussion Training

Visit the USA Hockey Coaching Certification page for more information: www.usahockey.com/coachingcertification

More Information:

• Coaching Clinics need to be completed by Dec 31. New clinics are created monthly, so check back often if you don't see one that works for you.
• Level 3 is only for good for one year, then you must get level 4 before Dec 31 of the next year. Level 4 courses are now offered online.
• Level 4 is good for 3 years - Coaches need 5 CEP credits every year.
• Age Specific Modules must be completed before you can be on a roster. There are now only 3 modules: 8U, 12U, and 13+ module.
• Background screening is done through USA Hockey. You must register for this using the link above.
• SafeSport refresher courses are required every season, with the complete course being required every 3 seasons.
• Coaching Clinics - This season, most clinics will be virtual (online), though there are now some in person clinics available as well. You can attend any clinic hosted by any District/Affiliate across the country if it works with your schedule. There will be a variety of available clinic dates and times which will fit to every coach’s schedule. Clinics are first come, first serve, and not guaranteed to have seats available when you click on them. Registration for CEP classes are available on the following website: https://www.usahockey.com/coachingclinics