coaches

Coaches Requirements


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U.S. Figure Skating appreciates the cooperation and understanding of all members to help implement these minimum requirements to ensure that the environment in all U.S. Figure Skating programs is as safe as possible for all participants. This will help give parents the highest degree of confidence that their children are not only receiving good care and proper instruction but are safe from improper conduct.

Four Requirements
    1. U.S. Figure Skating Membership
    2. PSA Membership (for qualifying competitions only)
    3. Coaches Registration and Background Screening
    4. Continuing Education Requirement Compliance

Please view the table below to determine your coaching requirements.

Requirement Details

1. U.S. Figure Skating Membership

If you would like to renew your U.S. Figure Skating membership through your club, contact your club membership chair or club office.

You can also renew your membership as an individual membership through your club. Individual memberships can be secured through U.S. Figure Skating Online or by calling Member Services at 719.635.5200.


2. PSA Membership (if needed)

This membership is only required for coaches at U.S. Figure Skating qualifying competitions and coaches traveling to competitions as part of Team USA.

Note: U.S. Figure Skating membership is completed separately from the coaches registration. Please follow the above step to renew your membership and follow the steps below to complete your coaches registration found on the U.S. Figure Skating website.


3. Coaches Registration and Background Screening

Registration Information
All coaches must complete the U.S. Figure Skating registration requirement in order to be allowed to instruct/coach at the following sanctioned activities:
  • International competitions on behalf of Team USA
  • Developmental International competitions
  • Qualifying and nonqualifying competitions
  • Test sessions
  • All performances including ice shows, exhibitions, recitals and carnivals
  • Any other sanctioned club activities (including club ice)

Cost is $40 per year and includes:
  • Background screening
  • U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook

Coaches must show proof of current liability insurance.
  • Cost of insurance is in addition to registration fee

Background Screening Information
U.S. Figure Skating is proud to announce a working relationship with the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI), which will provide comprehensive background screening services. NCSI is one of the leaders in providing background screening to youth-serving organizations. U.S. Figure Skating has worked with NCSI to ensure that this process is convenient, secure and confidential. The process for screening is simple and generally takes about five minutes. When U.S. Figure Skating receives a "green light" from NCSI and has verified liability insurance (valid through 7/1/2011), the registration process will be finalized, and a U.S. Figure Skating coaches registration card will be issued. In addition, the coach's name will appear on the list of registered coaches available on the U.S. Figure Skating website.

To complete the coaches registration:
  • If you have a membership number from U.S. Figure Skating, please visit the Members Only site to begin the coaches registration. NOTE: You will need your membership number and password.
  • If you DO NOT have a membership number OR have not had a U.S. Figure Skating membership in the last two years, please contact Member Services and type "COACHES REGISTRATION ID" in the subject line.

To complete the background screening, follow the link on the coaches registration form. You will need the following:
  • Social Security number (highly secure)
  • Name history - past five years
  • Address history - past five years
  • U.S. Figure Skating membership number

Review of background search findings: Should an applicant contest a U.S. Figure Skating decision to deny membership or participation in U.S. Figure Skating activities based on a "red light" finding from the background search, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision to U.S. Figure Skating pursuant to a process established by U.S. Figure Skating.

Note: If you are under the age of 18 or a Basic Skills instructor engaged only in group lessons in a U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills program, you do not need to register at this time.

After coaches registration and background screening is complete, please print the temporary membership card and carry it with you to sanctioned events and competitions. The actual membership card will be mailed to you upon registration. Treat this as a driver's license; while you may not always be asked to show it, you are required to have it with you at all U.S. Figure Skating events at which you are coaching.


4. Continuing Education Requirement (CER) Compliance

U.S. Figure Skating requires all coaches who are coaching at nonqualifying, qualifying or test track competitions and/or test sessions to fulfill a Continuing Education Requirement (CER) beginning this year. This will be done in the form of online or in-person courses, followed by an online test through the PSA online learning system.

  • All CER courses are available online through the PSA.
    • You do not have to be a PSA member to take online courses.
    • CER courses will be also be offered in person at U.S. Figure Skating and PSA seminars whenever possible.
  • In order to fulfill this requirement, coaches must pass a 20-question test online.
    • Test must be taken online regardless of whether course is taken online or in person at a seminar
    • Coaches may take the test without taking a course.
    • The tests consist of 20 true/false and multiple choice questions.
    • Coaches must score 80 percent to pass.
      • Retakes are available.
  • There is a $15 annual online subscription fee to sign up with the PSA online learning system.
    • The online U.S. Figure Skating Rules course is free.
    • The online Ethics course is free.
    • Other online courses cost $25 each.
      • Cost includes course and test.
      • If coaches choose only to take the test, the fee is still $25.

You will find CER courses at skatepsa.com.