Certification Process at Special Olympics Arizona

Certification Process

	Coaches Interest Form		Coaches Roster

Certification Process

It is the mission of Special Olympics Arizona to provide appropriate, high quality, year-round sports training to each SOAZ coach. Special Olympics Arizona strongly believes that quality coaching enhances the Special Olympics experience for all individuals involved and ultimately provides athletes opportunities to steadily improve sports skills, competitive ability and the ability to more actively participate in life. Experience gained at coaches training events including networking with other coaches is extremely helpful in preparing for coaching.

The requirements for becoming a certified coach (Level II) are below, for detailed information regarding certification levels, duration and requirements please see the table that follows.

Steps required for attaining Special Olympics Coaches Certification:

All Special Olympics head coaches must be 18 years old
Complete and pass the Volunteer Class A Registration Form and background screening. Click here Volunteer Overview to go to the Volunteer Pages which have the Class A Volunteer Form at the top of the pages.
Complete the General Orientation training on the Online Training page
Complete the Protective Behaviors training on the Online Training page
Attend a sport-specific coaches training preferably in the sport they coach

Note: coaches in sports with a higher level of risk to athlete safety such as equestrian or powerlifting are required to become certified in that specific sport

Complete 10 hours of practicum working with Special Olympics athletes following coaches training
Submit an Application for Sports Training Certification to the SOAZ state office. Please click on the Additional Coaches Forms tab on the right side of this page.

Waiver of Coach Certification Requirement

Effective June 1, 2007, it is the policy of Special Olympics Arizona that all teams must have a Level II certified coach. No one may act as coach unless they are certified. There is no exemption or waiver of the certification requirement. It is recommended that each team exceed the minimum standard of one certified coach per team to ensure that each team will be able to compete in area and state level competitions.

SOAZ Volunteer Certification Table

Certification Level	Certification Duration	Certification Requirements
Level I Certification is required for all Class A Volunteers who have direct contact with athletes and must be completed prior to receiving a Level II Certification and prior to attending any Special Olympics Arizona Competition at any level.
Level I	3 Years	Volunteer Class A Registration Form Submit for a Volunteer Screening Comply with all requirements of the SOAZ Volunteer Screening Policy Protective Behaviors Training
Level I	Lifetime	General Orientation Training
Level II Certification is for coaches actively participating in the training of athletes for competition in specific sports. Certification is valid for 4 years after which time there is a recertification process for maintaining the Level II Coaching Status.
Level II	4 Years	Obtain Level I Certification Attend approved Sport-Specific Volunteer Coach Training Classroom Session Session with Clinician Practicum (10 Hours)
Level II Recertification	4 Years	Level II Recertification may be achieved through the completion of one of the following courses sponsored by Special Olympics Arizona Tactics Course-offered through SOAZ or ASEP Sports Specific Course Red Cross First Aid/CPR Course Becoming a Certified Official in a Special Olympics Sport Level III Certification Classes (Outlined Below)
Level III, IV, and V are optional levels of education for coaches which also fulfills the Level II recertification coursework requirements. These courses will enhance the quality of training a coach is able to provide for Special Olympics Athletes.
Level III	Lifetime	Principles of Coaching Course Games Management Course Coaching Special Olympics Athletes Course Unified Sports Course
Level IV is the Coach Mentoring Program. Each Component Below must be completed in order to achieve a Level IV Certification
Level IV	Lifetime	Current Level II Certification Current Principles of Coaching Certification Current Coaching Special Olympics Athletes Certification Attend Coach Mentoring Workshop Practicum (10 Hours)
Level V is the Certified Skills Course Instructor Certification Level. Becoming a Certified Instructor and hosting a minimum of 2 training courses per year will also qualify for Level II recertification
Level V	Lifetime	Current Level II Certification Completion of Train the Instructor Course Completion of two trainings within the preceding calendar year with one supervised by the Training Coordinator, Sports Director, Volunteer Manager.