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?
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.