For coaches and club advisors in New York
Who may coach a school team, the coaching license and required training, the changes NYSED proposed in 2026, pay, safety and running a great club. Full detail for adults.
- Certified teachers may coach without a coaching license.
- Everyone else: a NYSED Temporary Coaching License first.
- First aid, CPR/AED and a concussion course every 2 years.
- Stipends: see your district contract.
👤 Who may coach a school team
| You are | What you need |
|---|---|
| Certified physical education teacher | May coach any sport. |
| Holder of a valid NYS Classroom Teacher, School Leader or Pupil Personnel Services certificate | May be hired to coach by a public school district without a coaching license. NYSED says these holders should not apply for a coaching license. You still need the training listed on this page. |
| Anyone else (including Teaching Assistant, Transitional B or Internship certificate holders) | A NYSED Temporary Coaching License for the sport, requested by the district, then renewals, then a Professional Coaching License. |
🪪 The coaching license path
- District offers the job and confirms it could not find a certified teacher-coach.
- Apply in TEACH for the Temporary Coaching License (NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives).
- Training: first aid, CPR/AED, concussion course and more (see Required training).
- Coursework: Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education; Health Sciences of Coaching; Sport-specific Theory and Techniques, from an approved provider.
- Renew, then move to the Professional Coaching License after coaching experience in the sport.
Coursework can use NYSED's Individual Evaluation pathway or the NFHS pathway. See NYSED Coaching.
🩹 Required training
Ask your athletic director for the district's own list and deadlines. Saved on this device only.
📝 Changes NYSED proposed in 2026
- All coaching rules would move into one section (135.5).
- Certified administrators and pupil personnel staff (not only teachers) could coach without a license if they meet the training rules.
- First Temporary Coaching License: 2 years instead of 1. First renewal: 3 years instead of four yearly renewals.
- Professional Coaching License would be continuously valid; districts keep evaluating coaches each year.
- Superintendents could attest to some requirements.
- Philosophy course within 2 years of first appointment; all coursework within 5 years.
- For coaches starting education on or after January 1, 2028: NFHS coursework, a 2-8 credit college program, or a NYSED-approved coaching preparation program.
- Current license holders would get transition time (an extra year, or one more 3-year renewal).
💵 Coaching and club stipends
Pay for coaches and club advisors is set in each district's teacher contract (often an appendix of stipends). We collected many Long Island contracts here:
🛟 Safety plan for every practice
Head injuries
Remove right away when a concussion is possible. Return only after 24 symptom-free hours, a physician's written and signed permission, and (public schools) clearance by the director of school health services.
The rules →Lightning
"When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors." Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning. Know your nearest safe building before practice.
NWS lightning safety →Heat
Build up activity in the first hot days, plan water breaks, and watch for cramps, weakness or fainting. Stop activity and get medical care for heat illness signs.
CDC heat and athletes →Emergencies, travel and liability
Know the district's emergency plan, where the AED is, and who calls 911. Use district transportation and the district's travel and permission forms. Ask the district about insurance and what coaches may and may not do (for example, driving students).
🤝 Inclusive teams
- Unified Sports (with Special Olympics New York): Unified Bowling in winter, Unified Basketball in spring. Schools start with Unified Basketball. specialolympics-ny.org
- Title IX: equivalent treatment for girls' and boys' teams in equipment, practice times, coaching, facilities and travel. ed.gov
- Students with IEPs or 504 plans: ask the student's team about supports for practice and travel.
🧠 Running a great club
- Plan the yearGoals, meeting days, events, budget.
- Permission and safetyDistrict forms for trips and after-school time; know pickup plans.
- Make it welcomingEvery student can join. Rotate jobs. Celebrate effort.
- PrivacyDo not post student names or photos without permission.
- TrackAttendance and hours help students with NJHS, NHS and the Seal of Civic Readiness.
Model plan: Chess club guide. Contest ideas: student contests.
✅ Coach season checklist (saved on this device)
🔗 Sources
We opened and checked every source in this list on Nov 9, 2026. Rules and dates change: always read the official page.
- NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives, Coaching (who needs a license; First Aid/CPR verification since Nov 1, 2024; pathways): nysed.gov
- NYSED, Temporary Coaching License 1st Renewal (course names): highered.nysed.gov
- Board of Regents, July 2026 item on proposed amendment to Sections 135.4 and 135.5 (timeline): regents.nysed.gov (PDF); committee report: regents.nysed.gov
- NYSED Office of Counsel, proposed rule text 135.4 and 135.5 (trainings, Part 87, biennial concussion course): counsel.nysed.gov
- NYSED Office of Counsel, 8 NYCRR 136.5 concussion management: counsel.nysed.gov (PDF)
- CDC, HEADS UP training: cdc.gov; CDC, Heat and Athletes: cdc.gov; NWS Lightning Safety: weather.gov
- Special Olympics New York, Unified Sports: specialolympics-ny.org; U.S. Department of Education, Title IX and Athletics: ed.gov