Coaching Certification

ATHLETIC COACHING CERTIFICATION

Who needs an Athletic Coaching Certificate?

  • Athletic coaches who are paid a coaching supplement, but who do not hold a valid Florida Educator Certificate.

Once recommended for hire to a coaching position within Marion County Public Schools, a Personnel Specialist with the Employment Services Division will verify if the coach holds a valid Athletic Coaching or Florida Educator Certificate. If the coach does not hold a valid certificate, the Personnel Specialist will contact the coach about completing the certification application process.

 

The coach must hold a valid Athletic Coaching Certificate issued by the Florida Department of Education prior to receiving payment of a coaching supplement.

Note: For individuals who hold a valid Florida Educator Certificate, an Athletic Coaching Certificate is not required to coach.

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) issues two types of Athletic Coaching Certificates:

  • A Three-Year Certificate

    • Non-renewable, only issued one time ever

  • A Five-Year Certificate

    • Must complete three courses to receive an initial Five-Year Certificate. 

    • No requirements needed to re-apply for this certificate after receipt of the initial Five-Year Certificate.

 

Three-Year Athletic Coaching Certificate Application

  1. Submit an online application for an Athletic Coaching Certificate to the Florida Department of Education https://flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart/login.do.

  2. Pay the $75.00 fee with a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.

  3. The Florida Department of Education requires a fingerprint screening completed through Marion County Public Schools within the last year. MCPS will determine if a coach has valid fingerprints on file, and will let the coach know if this step is necessary.

Note: Once these steps are completed the FLDOE will issue the Official Statement of Eligibility letter. This letter will indicate your eligibility for a Three-Year Athletic Coaching Certificate and the requirements for issuance of a Five-Year Certificate.

 

Five-Year Athletic Coaching Certificate Application

To qualify for the initial Five-Year Athletic Coaching Certificate a coach must complete the following requirements:

  1. Complete nine (9) semester hours in athletic coaching courses:

    • MCPS contracts with Human Kinetics Coach Education for coaches to complete these three required courses at their expense.
      • Sports First Aid
      • Coaching Principles
      • Coaching a specific sport
    • Prior to starting the courses contact the school’s Athletic Director for the course website to ensure the correct courses are taken.
    • Human Kinetics courses must be completed while the Three-Year Certificate is still valid and the coach is employed with MCPS.
    • Once the courses are completed, notify the school’s Athletic Director.

  2. Hold a valid certificate in Adult, Infant and Child CPR/First Aid/AED.

  3. Submit an online application for the Extension of Athletic Coaching Certificate to the Florida Department of Education https://flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart/login.do.

    • Do not create a new account. Contact the MCPS Certification Department for help with logging into the account.

  4. Pay the $75.00 application fee.

Note: A new fingerprint screening may be required to meet the Florida Department of Education requirements.

  • To renew the Five-Year Athletic Coaching Certificate, complete steps 3 and 4 above.

Contact Theresa Brady, Personnel Specialist, at 352-671-7752 or [email protected] prior to submitting an Athletic Coaching Certificate to inquire about the application process and the necessity of being fingerprinted.

Contact the MCPS Certification Department via email [email protected] or phone at 352-671-7781 for assistance with the certification application process.