East Haven Youth Hockey Association  

USA Hockey Coaching Requirements Checklist

Steps to Become a USA Hockey Coach

USA Hockey and the Coaching Education Program (CEP) require both annual registration and coaching certification in order to be eligible to coach. Registration is completed online each year, and certification requirements must also be maintained throughout your coaching career.


USA Hockey Requirements

These items must be completed before participating in any team activities (including being added to a roster).

  1. Register as a USA Hockey member (annual)
  2. Registration is completed online each year.
  3. Cost: $46, plus any applicable affiliate fees.
  4. Complete the required background screening
  5. Screening must be completed and approved prior to participation.
  6. Complete SafeSport Training (annual)
  7. Required every year.
  8. Coaches cannot be added to a roster until this is completed.
  9. Complete the “Foundations of Player Development” prerequisite
  10. This module must be completed before purchasing any age-specific module.
  11. After completion, there is a 15-minute window before you can purchase and begin your age-specific module.
  12. Complete the online age-specific module(s) for your coaching level
  13. Required for the age level(s) you coach.
  14. Cost: $20 per module.
  15. Each module only needs to be completed once per age level, but it must be completed prior to participating and before roster placement.


Coaching Education Program (CEP) Requirements

1) Required CEP Levels for Ice Hockey

  • All coaches must earn the required CEP certification level by January 1 of the current season, unless an earlier deadline is established by the district and/or affiliate.
  • All coaches must complete the online age-specific modules prior to participating with their team.


CEP Progression

  • Coaches enter the CEP at Level 1 and must continue progressing by attending a coaching clinic each year until achieving at least Level 4.
  • Coaches who only coach 8U (8 and Under) players, or disabled hockey, may remain at Level 1 (or another level, even if expired) until they coach an older age level or a program outside disabled hockey.


Age-Specific Training

  • Age-specific modules are required for all coaches at all levels (1 through 5) if the coach has not already completed the module for that age level.
  • A coach may complete more than one age-specific module in a season.

2) Certification Validity and Continuing Education (CE)

  • Effective beginning in the 2022–23 season:
  • Level 4 certifications are valid for three (3) seasons.
  • Level 5 certifications are valid for four (4) seasons.
  • Prior to expiration, coaches must earn 5 credit hours of continuing education through approved USA Hockey continuing education offerings (credit values are listed in clinic/course descriptions).


Grandfather Clause

  • Coaches who earned Level 4 or Level 5 prior to January 1, 2021, and who coach Tier I or Tier II teams after that date, must complete continuing education as required above.


Previous/Expired Certifications

  • Coaches with expired certifications retain their previous level if it can be verified and may re-enter at that level, subject to CEP guidelines and continuing education rules.


CE Expiration Rules

  • CE credits expire after:
  • 3 years for Level 4 coaches
  • 4 years for Level 5 coaches
  • CE hours cannot be banked toward recertification until after a coach earns Level 4.


Evidence of Level and Game-Day Requirements

  • Local associations are responsible for identifying coaches who do not meet certification requirements.
  • Coaches have until December 31 of the current season (or an earlier district/affiliate deadline) to attend a coaching clinic, where required.
  • Prior to the start of games, coaches must indicate their current certification status on the scoresheet and legibly print their CEP card information (except for juniors, where applicable).
  • Beginning January 1, prior to each game, all coaches present must sign the designated area of the scoresheet to verify roster accuracy.


Penalty and Enforcement

Any coach who does not meet the required certification standards is ineligible to coach for the remainder of the season. Districts and/or affiliates are required to uphold this penalty, and the local association is responsible for enforcing it.


Click on any of the menu items to the left to find out more information about that subject.  


Confirm Delete
Click the delete icon again to confirm. Click escape to cancel.