The latest report from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and its coach education program shows that North Carolina High School Athletic Association coaches are excelling in the area of professional development.

         North Carolina leads the nation with the number of Certified Interscholastic Coaches (CIC) with 106, followed by California (98) and Maryland (72).

         The number of Accredited Interscholastic Coaches (AIC) in North Carolina tripled in the last year. There were 60 AICs in North Carolina in 2012, went up to 85 in 2013 and then exploded to 279 in 2014.    There have been 243 AICs added to the rolls in 2015 with four months remaining, a total that is third in the nation for the year.

         North Carolina is currently sixth in the country in total AICs, behind Arizona, Arkansas, California, Maryland and Ohio.

         The Board of Directors of the NCHSAA implemented policies in recent years that require all coaches at NCHSAA member schools to complete the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching as well as take the NFHS “Concussion in Sports” courses.  That spurred many coaches to continue their professional development to the AIC and CIC levels.

          The NFHS Coach Certification Program is a national professional credential offered to individuals who are currently coaching or aspire to coach at the interscholastic level. The attainment of this national certification demonstrates the completion of a series of courses offered by the NFHS that will enhance the ability of the coach to better serve the student, the school, the community and the profession of coaching.

Level One National Certification Course Requirements (for Accredited Interscholastic Coach):

·  Fundamentals of Coaching

·  First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches*

·  Sport-specific Course or Teaching Sports Skills

·  Concussion in Sports (FREE)
*Or equivalent course completed within the past three years

 

Level Two National Certification Course Requirements (for Certified Interscholastic Coach):

·  Completion of Level 1 National Certification Requirements

·  Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment (FREE)

·  Strength and Conditioning

·  Teaching and Modeling Behavior

·  Engaging Effectively with Parents (FREE)

·  Sportsmanship (FREE)

·  First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches

·  Two additional courses (Your Choice)