In order to help provide a safe environment and successful experience for boys and girls who participate in interscholastic athletic teams, Section 135.4 (c) (7) (i) (c) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education pertaining to physical education include certain minimum requirements for a person to be appointed as a coach of an interscholastic athletic team (see Appendix A). This includes all head coaches and assistants for varsity, junior varsity, freshman and junior high (modified) teams of public schools.
No coach will be appointed without the proper coaching credentials and no coach will be permitted to coach Cohoes students without demonstrating that he or she has completed all of the requirements to coach.
New York State Coaching Requirements
Licensing Application Process
- Apply online for a coaching license by first creating a TEACH account.
- Once the login is complete, click “Apply for Certificate.”
- The area of interest for coaching is “Other School Service.” The subject area is “Coaching 7-12.” The title is the sport you are seeking a license in. Most first time coaching applicants select “Temporary Coaching License.” Finally, select the Capital Region BOCES to review your application.
Fingerprinting
All applicants for a coaching license and/or employment in the Cohoes City School District must undergo a fingerprint supported criminal history background check before engaging with students in a coaching capacity. This background check usually takes a few days, but can take longer if there is an issue that requires further review by NYSED.
Applications are all welcome to schedule your fingerprints using the IdentoGO website with service code 14ZGR7.
Other Workshops or Coursework
- First Aid & CPR: The Cohoes Athletic Department can help coaching candidates with acquiring First Aid and CPR.
- SED approved CPR/AED (valid for 2 year)
- SED approved First Aid (Valid 3 years)
- Concussion Management Workshop (valid for 2 years)
- Child Abuse and SAVE Workshops
- DASA Workshop – The DASA course is a 6-hour in-person training workshop provided by Capital Region BOCES (Cost $80).
- Additional Coursework – These courses are not needed for the first Temporary Coaching License, but are needed for future renewals as noted below. The Cohoes Athletic Department can assist with locating local providers for the additional coursework. Additional coursework consists of:
- Completion of an approved course on Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics (minimum 3 semester hours or 45 clock hours) prior to the start of the third season. (Must be enrolled prior to second license)
- For strenuous/contact sports: Completion of an approved course in Theory and Techniques of Coaching (minimum 2 semester hours or 30 clock hours) AND completion of an approved course in Health Sciences Applied to Coaching (minimum 3 semester hours or 45 clock hours) prior to start the start of the fourth season.
- Please note: effective July 1, 2015, coaches in New York State (NYS) have the option to pursue a second pathway to complete the 3 NYS required coaching courses (Principles, Philosophy and organization of Athletics in Education, Health Sciences Applied to Coaching, and Theory & Techniques of Coaching (Sport Specific) by utilizing the NFHS online coaching courses (AIC-Level 1 and CIC-Level 2) and completion of an internship in accordance with guidelines.
Questions
For further information on how the become a coach, please review the NYSED coaching guidelines.
- Cohoes City School District Athletic Department: (518) 237-9100, ext. 1405
- Cohoes City School District Office of Human Resources: (518) 237-0100 ext. 2359
- Capital Region BOCES – Regional Certification Officer: (518) 862-4942