Article 13: COACHING REQUIREMENTS

Section 1. Coaches Certification

1. Member school Principals or their designee are responsible for ensuring that all coaches, paid or unpaid at all levels (Varsity, Sub-Varsity, and Volunteers) meet the RIIL Coaching Requirements outlined below.
2. All coaches must be in compliance with the Initial Certification Requirements below, prior to the start of their sport season beginning with the 2022-23 school year.
3. Mandatory Coaches Registration
   1. All coaches must annually register online with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.
      1. Current and valid certifications shall be uploaded by each individual coach for approval by the athletic administrator of their member school
   2. Member school athletic administrators have access to all certifications submitted by their appointed coaches

3. Initial Certification Requirements:
   • ALL Coaches must complete or have already completed the following NFHS Courses:

• • NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course
    • • which includes the RIIL Rules and Regulations Test
  • NFHS Protecting Students from Abuse Course - FREE
  • NFHS Concussion Course - FREE (Must be Taken Annually)
  • NFHS Online Sudden Cardiac Arrest Course - FREE (Must be Taken Annually)

• All Coaches must at all times, maintain current certification in the following areas:
  • NFHS Online First Aid, Health and Safety Course, or Red Cross or American Heart Association (AHA) First Aid Certification or equivalent.
  • Red Cross, American Heart Association (AHA) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification or equivalent.
• Once all coaches complete the initial certification requirements, the school will be recognized as a Level 1 Honor Roll School from the NFHS.

4. Continuing Coaches Education and Requirements after Initial Certification:

• All Coaches must continue to maintain current certification in the following areas:
  • First Aid: NFHS First Aid, Health and Safety Course/Red Cross/American Heart Association Certification or equivalent. (Must be Taken Bi-Annually)
  • CPR/AED: Red Cross/American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED Certification or equivalent. (Must be Taken Bi-Annually)
    • • The RIIL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee strongly recommends that CPR courses include an in-person hands-on component
  • NFHS Concussion Course - FREE (Must be Taken Annually)
  • NFHS Online Sudden Cardiac Arrest Course - FREE (Must be Taken Annually)

5. Coaches must fulfill the following continuing education after Initial Certification:

• Within three (3) years of Initial Certification
  • (1) NFHS Online Sport-Specific Course
  • NFHS Implicit Bias Online Course – FREE
  • NFHS Heat Illness Prevention Course - FREE
  • NFHS Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Course – FREE
  • NFHS Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behaviors Course - FREE
  • NFHS Engaging Effectively with Parents Course - FREE
  • NFHS Sportsmanship Course - FREE

6. Lifetime Certification:

• Coaches that complete all NFHS Honor Roll Level 3 requirements will achieve RIIL Lifetime Certification.
• Please Note that Coaches who earn the NFHS Honor Level 3 designation must still continue to maintain current certification in the following areas:
  • NFHS Online First Aid, Health and Safety Course, or Red Cross or American Heart Association (AHA) First Aid Certification or equivalent course.
  • Red Cross, American Heart Association (AHA) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED Certification or equivalent course.
  • NFHS Concussion Course - FREE (Must be Taken Annually)
  • NFHS Online Sudden Cardiac Arrest Course - FREE (Must be Taken Annually)

Section 2. Coaches Eligibility

1. Coaches who have not fulfilled the RIIL Coaching Certification Requirements are not eligible to coach at any RIIL member school.
2. Each head coach of a varsity team under RIIL jurisdiction must attend (before the start of the season) a rules interpretation meeting for that sport. If the head coach cannot attend the meeting, the Athletic Director or his/her designee must attend.

Section 3. Penalty