About Coaching Certification in Indiana

Coaching and teaching high school students on leadership skills through sports is enough to make any coach's day, especially in places like Indiana where certified coaches are in demand.

  1. Non-Teaching Licensure

    • You can become a coach in Indiana without a teaching license. The state requires non-teachers to pass a certified coach education course and the school where you plan to coach needs records of it.

    Certification

    • Potential coaches must pass two of these four courses: NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching, ASEP Coaching Principles, the Indiana LANSE course or classes at an accredited Indiana university which offers certification for the Consortium for Coaching and Sports Management Education.

    Hiring Waiver

    • The hiring school should contact the Indiana High School Athletics Association (IHSAA) commissioner for a waiver. This lasts a year and allows you to complete any of the two certification courses you still need. Once the year and the courses are completed, you can coach for up to five years.

    Extended Coaching

    • After the five year period,you must complete six more college credits for coaching to stay at the school. Courses must be ISHAA accredited and approved by the commissioner. The courses are available through the National Federation of High Schools, American Sports Education Program or the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

    Coach Education Programs

    • The University of Indianapolis, Indiana University Bloomington and Indiana State University offer coach education programs.