If you are planning to coach a sport at a public school in New York State you are required by law to become certified. Your requirements vary depending on whether you are a physical education teacher, other certified classroom teacher, or a non-teacher person. In addition coaches that teach or coach swimmers or divers are bound by NY State and health department regulations.
A. Physical Education Teachers
Sports they may coach: Any sport in school.
Requirements:
· New York State provisional or permanent certificate to teach physical education.
· First Aid for Coaches and CPR with AED Essentials or approved equivalent current prior to start of season. First Aid cards are good for three years. CPR/AED must be updated yearly. Jamesville-DeWitt will offer First Aid Certification update courses every 3rd summer (2001, 2004, 2007, etc.) and CPR/AED update courses every year, free of charge. For information about courses at other intervals contact the American Red Cross or providers such as Health South.
B. Classroom Teachers
Those starting coaching prior to September 1, 1974 are “Grandfathered” and may coach any sport in any school in which they are currently teaching. Those starting coaching after September 1, 1974 must meet the requirements below.
Requirements:
· New York State permanent or provisional teaching certificate.
· First Aid for Coaches and CPR with AED Essentials or approved equivalent current prior to start of season. First Aid cards are good for three years. CPR/AED must be updated yearly. Jamesville-DeWitt will offer First Aid Certification update courses every 3rd summer (2001, 2004, 2007, etc.) and CPR/AED update courses every year, free of charge. For information about courses at other intervals contact the American Red Cross at 234-2222 or providers such as Health South at 469-5400.
· Complete an approved course on “Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education” before the start of the third season in the same sport.
· For strenuous/contact sports, complete approved courses on “Health Sciences Applied to Coaching” and “Coaching Techniques” (for your specific sports) before the start of the fourth season in the same sport (note: this can be extended to the start of the sixth season with the State Education Department approval).
· All courses are to be completed within three years of initial appointment unless an extension has been approved by the State Education Department.
Note: For coaching course information, contact Onondaga BOCES at 431-8598, The Verona BOCES at 361-5800, Cortland College at 607-753-4704, or Cayuga Community College at 255-1743 ex. 325.
C. Non-Teachers
Requirements:
· No certified teachers available with appropriate experience and qualifications.
· First Aid for Coaches and CPR with AED Essentials current prior to start of season. First Aid cards are good for three years. CPR/AED must be updated yearly. Jamesville-DeWitt will offer First Aid Certification update courses every 3rd summer (2001, 2004, 2007, etc.) and CPR/AED update courses every year, free of charge. (For information about courses at other intervals contact the American Red Cross at 234-2222 or providers such as Health South at 469-5400).
· Current Temporary Coaching License from the Division of Teacher Certification (application must be resubmitted yearly).
· Complete or be enrolled in an approved course in “Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education” before the start of the second season in the same sport.
· For strenuous/contact sports, complete or be enrolled in approved courses in “Health Sciences Applied to Coaching” and “Coaching Techniques” (in each specific sport) before the start of the forth season in the same sport.
· Note: For coaching course information, contact Onondaga BOCES at 431-8598, The Verona BOCES at 361-5800, Cortland College at 607-753-4704, or Cayuga Community College at 255-1743 ex. 325.
· Complete a two-hour session in the recognition and reporting of child abuse before second season (offered at area hospitals or as a correspondence course by contacting one of the following agencies: NY State Nurses Assn. At 518-782-9400 ext. 276 for a fee of $30, OR THE ny Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children at 800-447-7220 for a fee of $25).
· Complete a two hour workshop in violence prevention in schools before the second season through BOCES at 361-5800.
NOTE – Beginning July 1st, 2001 non teacher coaches may apply to the state of New York for a professional coaching certificate after three years of positive coaching evaluations and the completion of all course work. Non teacher coaches who are granted the Professional Coaching Certificate are then considered on par with certified teachers for future coaching appointments. Professional coaching certificates are good for a three year period.
Approved First Aid, CPR and AED Coursed for Coaches
CPR –
·A SED approved agency that offers CPR using the SED course outlines and time requirements: 4 hour initial, 2hours for updates (both valid for 1 year)
·National Safety Council CPR Course
·American Heart Assn. Adult CPR or Heart Saver Plus (basic Heart Saver is not acceptable)
·American Red Cross Responding to Emergencies (24 hr course that includes CPR), Adult CPR, Community CPR, Standard First Aid (good for CPR but not for Coaching First Aid), Community First Aid and Safety (if CPR is included), or Basic Life Support (BLS).
First Aid –
·A SED approved agency that offers the First Aid using the SED course outline and time requirements (12 hour initial and 5.5 hour update). This is valid for 3 years.
·National Safety Council Level 3
·American Red Cross Responding to Emergencies (24 hour course), Sports Injury First Aid Care & Prevention, or First Aid for Coaches.
·Registered Nurse, Licensed Physical Therapist, or Certified Emergency Medical Technician.
AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) –
·Any AED course by an approved agency such as the American Heart Assn. Or the American R Cross.
Coaching of Swimming Activities
Subpart 6-1 of the New York Sanitary Code specified minimum qualification for aquatic supervisory staff. Pools greater than five feet in depth or greater than 2,000 square feet in surface area must be supervised by a lifeguard with at least Level IIa or IIb certifications.
Certifications previously accepted for a qualified lifeguard (American Red Cross (ARC) Advanced Lifesaving or equivalent) are being reevaluated to determine conformance with the requirements. It has been determined that the ARC Basic
Lifeguarding Certification is equivalent to Level IIa - Pool Lifeguard and ARC Lifeguard Training Certification equivalent to Level IIb - Pool/Beach Lifeguard.
Individuals possessing a valid certification, issued prior to May 15, 1993, in one of the following previously accepted courses will continue to be accepted until the certificate expires. At that time, re-certification must be in a curriculum accepted as meeting the requirements of Sections 6-1.31(a) or (b).
1. American Red Cross Advanced Lifesaving
2. American Red Cross Basic Lifeguarding (for pools only)
3. American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
4. YMCA Advanced Lifesaving
5. YMCA Lifeguard
6. Lifeguard, BSA (Boy Scouts of America) (only if received in the last three years and minimum age of 15 years)
7. Aquatics Instructor, BSA (Boy Scouts of America) (within last three years)
8. Royal Life Saving Society, Canada “Award of Merit” (within last three years)
9. Royal Life Saving Society, Canada “Distinction Award” (within last three years)
To apply for a coaching position, download the application.