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Eastern Iowa Community College District is a Department of Education approved provider for the Coaching Authorization Program.

State law allows non-teachers to coach school sports if they qualify for a state coaching authorization certificate.  In order to qualify, you must complete the required classes.  ATTENDANCE AT ALL CLASSES IS REQUIRED.  Coaching authorization certificates will be issued by the Iowa Department of Education.

These classes are required for both paid and volunteer coaches at junior and senior high school levels.  You do not need a college degree to enter this program; however, you must be 18 years old to receive state authorization. 

The classes required for earning Iowa's Coaching Authorization Certificate, as well as reauthorization classes, are available at all three of our colleges.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between authorization and an endorsement?
• What classes are needed for certification?
• What other courses most commonly meet the requirements for the above classes?
• What are the age requirements for authorization?
• What do I need to do if I took classes a few years ago, but never applied for my certificate?
• How long does my authorization last?
• What is the application process for authorization?
• How can I get my fingerprints taken?
• If I let my coaching authorization expire, do I have to take the four courses over again?
• What are the requirements for authorization renewal?
• What is the application process for renewing my authorization?
• What should I do if my authorization expires soon and I haven't yet completed my five renewal activities?

What is the difference between
authorization and an endorsement?

There are two types of certification:  authorization and endorsement.  Both types allow you to coach grades K-14 in a major or minor sport, and you can be a head coach, assistant coach or a volunteer.

A coaching endorsement can only be given to someone with a current Iowa teacher's license and the endorsement is attached to the teaching license.  The endorsement requires the same coursework, but the courses must be taken for college credit.  When the teacher's license is renewed, the endorsement would also be renewed at that same time.

The type of certificate program EICCD offers prepares you for coaching authorization.  Most people take this option because it is faster (55 hours of class time) and less expensive than taking courses for college credit. 

What classes are needed for certification?

Physiology       
Develop an understanding of how the body moves and how the laws of force affect that  movement.
    1 Semester Credit hour        10 Contact hours

Human Growth & Development    
Explore the basic concepts of human growth and development of students in the 5th through 12th grades who participate in athletic events sponsored by a school system.
    1 Semester Credit hour        10 Contact hours

Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries   
Build your awareness of the duties and responsibilities in protecting the health of athletes. Aimed at preventing injuries through conditioning, weight training, stretching and proper  nutrition.   
    2 Semester Credit hours       20 Contact hours

Techniques, Theory & Ethics of Coaching   
Students will learn the theory and techniques for coaching all interscholastic athletics. Special emphasis will be given to motivation, public relations, the  nature of coaching,  principles of conditioning, and organization and administration. Students  will  also  gain  knowledge and understanding of professional ethics and legal responsibilities of coaches.
    1 Semester Credit hour        15 Contact hours
    (Ethics was added as requirement in July, 2000)

NOTE:  The PROFESSIONAL ETHICS class now included in the authorization program is for those who have the other classes but need ethics to apply for authorization or for those who are renewing.  Those students who have never taken a coaching class will receive ethics as part of the TECHNIQUES, THEORY & ETHICS class. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of professional ethics and legal  responsibilities of coaches as outlined in the Iowa Code.

What other courses most commonly meet the
requirements for the above classes?

Physiology (formerly Structure & Function of the Human Body)

• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Kinesiology

Human Growth & Development

• Developmental Psychology
• Child Psychology
• Adolescent Psychology
• Dynamics of Human Development
• Growth & Motor Performance
  (Cannot accept Educational Psychology, Psychology, General Psychology, or Abnormal Psychology)

Prevention & Care of Athletic Injures

• First Aid & Safety in Sports
• Basic Athletic Training

Techniques & Theory of Coaching

• Will accept a course in the theory of coaching in general or in the theory of coaching a specific sport

What are the age requirements for authorization?

You must be 18 years of age before you can apply for an Iowa coaching authorization; however, you may complete the courses before age 18.

What do I need to do if I took classes a few years ago,
but never applied for my certificate?

There is no time limit between taking the classes and applying for authorization.  Your application needs to be accompanied by a transcript showing the classes you took meet the State requirements.  Keep in mind that if a new requirement goes into effect since the time you took your classes (such as ethics & fingerprinting); you would also need to meet the new requirement(s) as well.

How long does my authorization last?

Your Coaching Authorization certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.  At that point you may renew your authorization for another 5 years.

What is the application process for authorization?

After successfully completing the required coursework, you need to send the following items to the State for processing:

• Completed Application for Coaching Authorization
• Transcript(s) showing you have successfully completed the required classes
• Completed Waiver for both the Iowa and national criminal history record check
• Completed fingerprint card (with your fingerprints taken by an authorized finger printer within the past 45 days)
• Check or money order for $ 137 (application fee of $ 85 plus $ 52 for the criminal history record check) made payable to the Board of Educational Examiners

Once the paperwork has been processed and the background check has been completed and approved, the State will issue the authorization.

How can I get my fingerprints taken?

Contact your local law enforcement agency to find out if and when they offer fingerprinting services to the public.

If I let my coaching authorization expire,
do I have to take the four courses over again?

No, you need only complete five renewal activities.

What are the requirements for authorization renewal?

During the 5-year span of your authorization, you need to participate in five renewal activities choosing from the list below.  These renewal activities must be sponsored or offered by an accredited college or university, Area Education Agency, professional athletic association, the Iowa High School Athletic Association or the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and may include:  Coaching Classes, Coaching Clinics, Rules Meetings, Coaching Workshops or Ethics Workshop.

NOTE:  Effective September 1, 2002, all applicants renewing a coaching authorization must submit documentation of the child and dependent adult abuse training approved by the state abuse education review panel.  

What is the application process for renewing my authorization?

• Completed Application for Renewal of Coaching Authorization (if college courses were completed, official transcripts should accompany the renewal application)
• Check or money order for $ 85 made payable to the Board of Educational Examiners

What should I do if my authorization expires soon and
I haven't yet completed my five renewal activities?

You can apply for a coaching authorization extension, which lasts one year.  You will need to send the following items to the State for processing:

• Completed Application for Coaching Authorization Extension
• Check or money order for $ 40 made payable to the Board of Educational Examiners

Persons with other commonly asked questions regarding the coaching authorization are encouraged to contact David Morgan or the Licensure Office at the address or telephone number listed below.

David Morgan
Board of Educational Examiners
Licensure
Grimes State Office Building
Des Moines, IA  50319-1047
david.e.morgan@iowa.gov
515-281-6896

For more information about the college's classes, class times, etc., contact Julie Aye, 563-336-3305.