Regardless of the certification method used, all of the requirements for certification must be completed and

notification of passing grades must be received before a coach may have coaching interaction with any high

school individual participant or team.

IHSA Non-Faculty Certified Coach Requirements

Persons becoming certified must complete an online course. There are two companies IHSA utilize to help non-

faculty coaches to become certified to coach in Illinois. They are called ASEP (American Sport Education

Program) and NFHS (National Federation of State High Schools).

ASEP Certification: You must add to your cart from the ASEP.com website and complete one of the following

3. Click on I (for Illinois)

How do I obtain a copy of my ASEP Certificate? To obtain a copy or replacement certificate, you can

download it from the ASEP website or contact the ASEP office @ (800) 747-5698 Ext. 2222

Regardless of the certification method used, all of the requirements for certification must be completed and

notification of passing grades must be received before a coach may have coaching interaction with any high

school individual participant or team.

NFHS Certification: You must add to your cart from the NFHS.org Website both of the

following: Fundamentals of Coaching ($69.00) and First Aid for Coaches ($65.00) = $134.00

Regardless of the certification method used, all of the requirements for certification must be completed and

notification of passing grades must be received before a coach may have coaching interaction with any high

school individual participant or team.

Regardless of the certification method used, all of the requirements for certification must be completed and

notification of passing grades must be received before a coach may have coaching interaction with any high

school individual participant or team.

To obtain a copy or replacement certificate, you can download it from the NFHS website or

contact the NFHS Office at (317)-972-6900

If you have passed the NFHS Courses and have coached, but subsequently took time

off, do you need to retake the courses and re-certify?

Does the NFHS program transfer from State to State? Yes.

Regardless of the certification method used, all of the requirements for certification must be completed and

notification of passing grades must be received before a coach may have coaching interaction with any high

school individual participant or team.

Classroom Certification: The following are all of the coaching education classroom

programs currently approved by the IHSA Board of Directors: (12/12/2008)

1. American Sport Education Program (ASEP), Champaign, IL 61825-5076

Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, East Lansing, MI 48824

8. Coaching Minor Offered by Southern Illinois University Department of Physical Education,

Carbondale, IL 62901

9. Coaching Education Program offered by Ashford University, Clinton, IA

10. Coaching Minor Offered by Quincy University, Quincy, IL 62301

11. Coaching Certification Program offered by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha,

WI 53141-2000

12. Iowa Coaches Authorization Board of Educational Examiners Licensure Bureau, Des

Moines, IA 60319-0146

13. Coaching Minor offered by Blackburn College, Carlinville, IL 62626

How much does the ASEP Classroom course cost?

The Coaches Orientation Classroom course runs $110.00 (plus the instructor’s fee of approximately

$50.00 to $75.00). The person taking the course should contact the instructor for the classroom

course they will be attending for complete details. The instructor name and phone number is listed on

the list of classroom courses found at http://www.asep.com/courseInfo/findCal_classroom.cfm.

Generally the courses are taught in 1 day and then the coach completes the necessary home

study prior to testing. All testing must be accomplished on-line.

What is the time requirement to complete the ASEP classroom course?

Can I attend a classroom course and still take my exams online?

Yes. All exams must be taken online. Materials distributed by the instructor conducting the

Regardless of the certification method used, all of the requirements for certification must be completed and

notification of passing grades must be received before a coach may have coaching interaction with any high

school individual participant or team.

coach of their options relative to becoming certified to coach interscholastic sports in Illinois. You will

find:

I.) The IHSA definition of a coach

II.) IHSA By-Law 2.070 – Qualifications of Coaches (and illustrations)

III.) Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

IV.) Important links to ASEP and to the NFHS to purchase approved Coaches Certification Courses

Coach — Any person, regardless of whether employed or volunteer, who instructs, supervises, or otherwise

manages or participates with student athletes in conjunction with a practice, tryout, drill, workout, evaluation of

II. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Regardless of the certification method used, all of the requirements for certification must be completed and

notification of passing grades must be received before a coach may have coaching interaction with any high

school individual participant or team.

Special Circumstance Information:

9) Does a coach have to obtain the ASEP or NFHS coaches certification if he/she has a substitute-

● www.ihsa.org ● Phone: 309-663-6377 ● Fax: 309-663-7479 ●

Regardless of the certification method used, all of the requirements for certification must be completed and

notification of passing grades must be received before a coach may have coaching interaction with any high

school individual participant or team.

(including certificates) for IHSA. Any questions pertaining to those issues should be directed to the

appropriate office.

Kandace Turner, Program Services Coordinator

kandacet@hkusa.com, (217) 351-5076 ext. 2334

Responsibilities: Kandace is the program services coordinator for ASEP and oversees the Services

department including in-house testing operations, customer service, and support service. She also provides

support for the ASEP executive director and ASEP staff.

● Website: www.asep.com ● Fax: 217-351-2674 ●

NFHS Contact Information:

The National Federation of State High School Associations provides a Help Desk for any inquiries regarding

their Coaches Certification program. Please Contact the Help Desk for any further questions. The NFHS Help