NJSIAA Coaching Requirements
A person shall be eligible to coach in any interscholastic contest, provided the person satisfies all of the conditions listed below. A coach shall mean all persons who coach an interscholastic high school athletic team in any way, whether for pay or as a volunteer at the varsity, junior varsity, or freshman level ( 9th grade through 12th grade).
CPR/AED/Basic First Aid Certification
Adult CPR/AED and Basic First Aid Certifications are required for all coaches. Blended courses (online courses with an in-person instructor-evaluated skills test) are approved. Online courses without an in-person instructor-evaluated skills test are not recognized. The link below is a list of approved DOE certification courses.
- Two-year certification
- CPR/AED & Basic First Aid approved courses
NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course*
- One-time course
- Online at nfhslearn.com
*Coaches who have experience coaching in an NJSIAA high school prior to the 2006-2007 school year will be exempt from this requirement.
NFHS Concussion Course
- Required each year
- Online at nfhslearn.com
NFHS Heat Illness Prevention
- Required each year
- Online at nfhslearn.com
NFHS Implicit Bias Course
- One-time course
- Online at nfhslearn.com
Swimming & Diving Coaches
- A valid CPR for professional rescuer certificate issued by the ARC or the YMCA.
- A valid Lifeguard Certificate issued by the ARC or the YMCA.
- A valid Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certificate issued by fastswimprogram, the ARC or the YMCA.
DOE Certification Requirements (Public Schools Only)
Public school coaches (including volunteer coaches) must have one of the two certifications below and completed all NJSIAA requirements listed above.
- NJ Teaching Certification
- NJ Instructional Substitute Credential (30 College Credits)
Paraprofessional Aid/Coach
- Exempt from all certifications
- Exempt from all coaching requirements
- Must be under the direct supervision of a certified coach
- Must not have any direct supervision responsibilities
