Who must take a Coaching certification course?
Currently, you must have a current, valid Illinois Teaching, School Administrator, Substitute Teaching, School Psychologist, School Counselor, School Social Worker Certificate or be retired from teaching to meet the IHSA By-Law requirement to coach without going through an IHSA coaching certification program. If you have taken an exam and possess any of the ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education), Certificates noted previously, then you are certified to coach in Illinois and do not need to take a coaches certification course. Teacher’s aides and ancillary staff must complete and pass an approved Coaches Certification course.
- Do you have to work as a teacher in the school you will be coaching? No, an Illinois Licensed/Certified Teacher may be hired to coach at any IHSA Member school.
- When you retire from teaching, do you have to maintain your Illinois Teaching Certificate in order to continue coaching? No, retired teachers do not have to maintain their Teaching Certificate and may coach at any IHSA Member School.
If you do not meet the criteria listed above, please follow this link to Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about coaching certification.
IHSA Coaching Information & Procedures (PPT)
Prospective Coaches must select and pass any ONE of the following Coaches Education programs (click link below to be redirected to the website to order your Coaches Education program). The following bundles contain all 3 IHSA By-Law requirements to become a non-faculty coach in Illinois. It is up to each individual after reviewing the options below to make their decision on what package best suits their coaching needs. Once you have been notified of a passing grade in all three exams, you are eligible to coach.
Please note: When you purchase an online course package, you will have immediate access to your online courses. If you purchased a package that includes physical books (as opposed to ebooks) you will receive those copies within two-three business days of placing your order.
- IHSA Coaching Orientation Online Package
- $100.00 total. By clicking on the link, you will be redirected to the Human Kinetics Coach Education Center to purchase the program. It includes every component to become a Certified Non-Faculty Coach in Illinois. The package includes IHSA Coaching Orientation (50 questions), includes IHSA By-Law Exam (25 questions), and IHSA Sport First Aid (75 questions).
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- IHSA Coaching Education Online Course Package With Ebooks
- $119.00 By clicking on the link you will be redirected to the Human Kinetics Coach Education Center to purchase the program. It includes every component to become a Certified Non-Faculty Coach in Illinois. The package includes Coaching Principles (50 questions) (same certification earned, but a more comprehensive curriculum is provided), IHSA By-Law Exam (25 questions), and Sport First Aid (75 questions). Includes both ebooks.
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- IHSA Coaching Education Online Course Package With Print Books
- $139.00 By clicking on the link you will be redirected to the Human Kinetics Coach Education Center to purchase the program. It includes every component to become a Certified Non-Faculty Coach in Illinois. The package includes Coaching Principles (50 questions) (same certification earned, but a more comprehensive curriculum is provided), IHSA By-Law Exam (25 questions), and Sport First Aid (75 questions). Includes both textbooks (shipping is charged for textbooks).
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- IHSA State Component for Coaches (this course is a single component only). It is for coaches who have gone through and passed the Human Kinetics Certification in another state and gives them the ability to purchase the last component needed to meet all three IHSA By-Law Coaching requirements. This can only be purchased over the phone at 800-747-5698. Customer Service Representatives from Human Kinetics Coach Education will confirm you are certified in Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid and then allow you to purchase this component. $20.00
- NFHS Certification
You must add to your cart from the NFHS.org Website both of the following: Fundamentals of Coaching (which includes IHSA By-Law Exam) ($69.00) and First Aid for Coaches ($65.00) = $134.00 total
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- NFHS-IHSA By-Law Exam Online course (this course is a single component only). It is for coaches who has gone through and passed the NFHS course in another state. This gives them the ability to purchase the last component needed to meet all three IHSA By-Law Coaching requirements. $30.00
Download the IHSA Handbook for use with the IHSA By-Law Exam.