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Steps to Become a Coach

JOIN USA HOCKEY
All ice hockey coaches and instructors of USA Hockey programs must register as individual participants of USA Hockey for the current season (before the start of the season) in order to be eligible to coach/instruct in any activity or program. You may register as participants online at usahockey.com HERE. Keep a record of your membership number.
GET A BACKGROUND CHECK
It is the policy of the Rhode Island Amateur Hockey Association that all coaches (head and assistants), officials, managers and other individuals who have routine access to minor children (anyone under the age of majority) must consent to a background-screening check performed by RI Hockey.  
 
This screening is a service to volunteers that is paid for by RI Hockey and is a web-based process that can be initiated HERE.
 
Choose "GREATER PROVIDENCE YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION" as your organization on Step 2 of the process and if you are cleared, the GPYHA Registrar will receive notice of your status. This screening is good for two years and then you must repeat this process.
 
For more information about RI Hockey's Online Screening Program, click HERE.
PLAN TO ATTEND A CEP PROGRAM
Find, register and attend the required coaching certification clinic (registration is typically live in July) HERE.
 
Cost is $40 plus any lunch fees if applicable. You can only attend one clinic per season (the coaching clinic season for Levels 1-3 officially runs from July 1 to December 31).  If you cannot attend on the dates above, you can find and register for other clinics at http://www.usahockey.com/coachingclinics as they are added to the schedule.
COMPLETE YOUR SAFESPORT TRAINING
Complete the USA Hockey Safe Sport Training, which is required every two years.
 
Click HERE to access the training.
COMPLETE YOUR AGE-SPECIFIC MODULES
Complete the online age-specific module(s) for the age level of play you are coaching by December 31. Cost is $10 per module.  The online modules are available from September 1 to December 31 and can be found HERE.