This page reflects rule changes made at 2002 USA Hockey Annual Congress. The table is new, and all other changes are in italics.

A. Coaching Education Required Levels

USA Hockey requires that the following set of coaching education levels must be the minimum criteria for districts and/or affiliates.  Different districts may have additional requirements, so please check with the District Coach-In-Chief for compliance.

It must be clearly understood that coaching education requirements must be monitored and enforced by the districts or affiliates.

All coaches (head and assistant) must have the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program card by December 31 of the calendar year.  

Education and years of coaching prerequisite requirements are noted in the Coaching Education Chart. These requirements must be strictly adhered to.

C.    Grandfather Clause (Removed)

D.   Evidence of Level

Proof of coaching education level will be evidenced by a USA Hockey Coaching Education card with appropriate dated verification sticker.  This card must be carried by all coaches for all USA Hockey games.

Before the start of each game and in the presence of the referee, each coach must present their card to one another for verification of coaching education level.

If a coach cannot produce their current and up to date USA Hockey Coaching Education Card  prior to the start of the first period, it must be noted on the official game score sheet and signed by the opposing coach.

Beginning January 1 of the current season, prior to the start of the game, all coaches (Head and Assistant) present, from each team, are required to sign the designated area of the scoresheet in order to verify the accuracy of the playing roster, as it appears on the scoresheet , for that game.  In addition, all coaches (Head and Assistant) must include their USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP) card number, their CEP level (1-Initiation, 2-Associate, 3-Intermediate,4-Advanced, or 5-Master) and the year their CEP level was attained.  The CEP card number, level and year attained shall be printed legibly and next to the signature of each coach.

E. Continuing Education Requirement

All coaches below Level 4 shall progress through the Coaching Education Program, attending a coaching clinic at least once every three years through Level 3 (Intermediate).  After a coach has completed Level 3 (Intermediate), the coach shall do one of the following:  attend another Level 3 (Intermediate) clinic within three years, take a USA Hockey Continuing Education Course within three years or attend a Level 4 (Advance) clinic as per the Coaching Education Program Requirement chart.  Once Level 4 (Advance) is achieved, there is no further requirement for recertification. 

If a coaches accreditation was received more than 3 years from the current calendar year, the card is rendered invalid/expired below Level 4 (Advance) and a refresher course at the same level or attending a clinic at the next level is necessary for the accreditation to remain current. 

F.    Penalty and Enforcement

Beginning January 1 of the current season, it will be the responsibility of the district/affiliate to determine if there should be any penalties imposed on an individual coach who fails to produce a current, up-to-date coaching education card with appropriate verification of level.  It will also be the responsibility of the local association registering the team to enforce any penalties.