Coaching Information

Athletic Coaching Certificate

All coaches are required to hold an active Coaching Certificate or Teaching Certificate issued by the Florida Department of Education and valid within the state of Florida. This certification ensures that coaches meet the state's professional standards, understand educational and athletic policies, and are properly authorized to work with student-athletes in Collier County schools. Coaches are responsible for maintaining their certification in good standing at all times, and failure to do so may result in removal from coaching duties until requirements are met.

In addition, all coaches must maintain current Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid certification. This training is essential to ensure coaches are prepared to respond effectively to medical emergencies that may arise during practices, games, or athletic events. Having properly trained and certified coaches helps promote a safe athletic environment and demonstrates a commitment to the health and well-being of all student-athletes.

Collier County Public Schools is committed to providing student-athletes with a safe, supportive, and high-quality athletic experience. By requiring all coaches to maintain proper state certification and current CPR/AED training, CCPS ensures that every program is led by well­ trained, knowledgeable professionals. This commitment reflects CCPS's ongoing efforts to promote both the safety and the educational development of all student-athletes, while fostering positive sportsmanship, skill development, and a strong foundation for success across all athletic programs.

The Florida Department of Education issues two types of Athletic Coaching Certificates, a 3-Year Temporary Certificate and a 5-Year Certificate.  The 3-Year Temporary is issued to give the coach time to complete the requirements for the 5-Year Certificate.  The 3-Year Temporary Certificate is not renewable.

Who needs it?

• Coaches who are paid a coaching supplement, but don’t hold a valid Department of Education Temporary or Professional Educator Certificate.  This includes cheerleading coaches if their assignment is a competitive sport.
• Unpaid volunteer coaches who are employees of the District School Board of Collier County and do not hold a Department of Education Temporary or Professional Certificate.

What is required for a 3-Year Temporary Athletic Coaching Certificate?
An application for Athletic Coaching Educator Certification must be made online with the Department of Education at https://flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart, prior to starting coaching. 

• A fee of $75.00 must be paid by either VISA or MasterCard to the Florida Department of Education.
• A valid First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) certificate issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
• Fingerprint results that are no older than one year.  
• The 3-Year temporary athletic coaching certificate is non-renewable.

What is required for a 5-Year Athletic Coaching Certificate? 

• Nine semester hours in athletic coaching to include the areas specified below (For certification requirements and course access information go to Course Information or Coach Education Center):
  • Three (3) semester hours in care and prevention of athletic injuries and the dangers of drug use, including performance-enhancing drugs,
  • Three (3) semester hours in coaching theory,
  •  A course in theory and practice of coaching a specific sport, and
• A valid First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) certificate issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
• An application for a 5-year certificate made online at https://flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart which includes the fee of $75.00 and verification of the completion of the above-mentioned course: official transcripts, certificate copies, etc.

The 5-year Athletic Coaching certificate must be renewed every five years by submitting an application and fee.  However, if the course requirements have changed since the last certificate was issued, the applicant must complete the new requirements to be eligible for another 5-Year Certificate.  

If you have questions, please contact the Certification Office at certification@collierschools.com.