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Coach International Certification

The USA Lacrosse International Certification Program is designed for specifically for coaches who live internationally but are looking to coach within the United States. It is NOT meant to be used as a certification for coaching within any other country outside of the United States. For international certification by specific country, please refer to the World Lacrosse website here: https://worldlacrosse.sport/contact/development-enquiries/.

In order to be a certified as an International Women’s or Men’s Level 1, 2 or 3 Coach, coaching in the United States, one must complete all requirements for the applicable game they are coaching and pass the international background check provided by the National Center for Safety initiatives (NCSI).

For International Level 1 Certification, a Coach must complete:

  • Active USA Lacrosse Coach Membership
    • Includes International NCSI Background Check “green light” (paid by each international coach member)*
    • Effective 7/1/22, includes completion of online Abuse Prevention Training
  • Level 1 - Developing the Individual Athlete Online Course
  • Level 1 - Developing the Individual Athlete On-Field Clinic or Level 1 - Athlete-Centered Coaching Virtual Workshop
  • Level 1 - How to Make Proper Contact Online Course for Men's Lacrosse (Men's Game Coaches ONLY)
  • Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coach 1

For International Level 2 Certification, a Coach must complete:

  • Active USA Lacrosse Coach Membership
    • Includes International NCSI Background Check “green light” (paid by each international coach member)*
    • Effective 7/1/22, includes completion of online Abuse Prevention Training
  • Active Level 1 USA Lacrosse certification and
    • Level 2 - Developing the Team Player Online Course
    • Level 2 - Developing the Team Player On-Field Clinic or Level 2 - Team-Centered Coaching Virtual Workshop

For International Level 3 Certification, a Coach must complete:

  • Active USA Lacrosse Coach Membership
    • Includes International NCSI Background Check “green light” (paid by each international coach member)*
    • Effective 7/1/22, includes completion of online Abuse Prevention Training
  • Active Level 1 & 2 USA Lacrosse certifications and:
    • Level 3 - Team Performance In-person or Virtual Workshop
    • CDC or NFHS Concussion Course completion (online through the CDC or NFHS websites)
      • Certificates should be emailed to cdp@usalacrosse.com, referencing "for Level 3 Certification"
    • 6 Continuing Education Credits (can be completed online in the USA Lacrosse E-Learning portal or at LaxCon)
      • 3 Theory-Based Courses
      • 3 Tactics-Based Courses

    * Background checks must be initiated through the USA Lacrosse member portal (within each member's profile page). While USA Lacrosse covers the domestic portion of the NCSI background check, each Coach member is responsible for paying the international portion of their background check ($75 for Canadian Citizens and $150 for All other countries). International background checks typically take between 10-14 days once paperwork has been completed and accepted by NCSI.