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Level 2 Certification is here! 
Are you Level 1 certified, and have you taken the Level 2 online course and Level 2 instructional clinic?
• If so, click here for more info on Level 2 certification. |
Please read below for Level 1 Certification Information
 CEP Certification Initiative Mission
In offering this service to the lacrosse community, US Lacrosse seeks to support program administrators, parents, clubs, leagues and coaches in educating and retaining quality coaches.
US Lacrosse encourages all coaches to participate in some or all components of the CEP, and encourages leagues and clubs to also utilize the CEP for their coaching education needs. It is our vision that all lacrosse teams are coached by certified US Lacrosse coaches for the benefit and quality of our sport and for the enhanced enjoyment of the game for both coaches and players.
• Click here to learn about the benefits of certification
• Level 1 Certification - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
How do I become Level 1 certified?
STEP 1
Start now--Get the knowledge: Complete your educational components (EC’s):
· CEP Level 1 on-line course is completed *
· CEP Level 1 Instructional Clinic is completed *
· PCA Double Goal Coach 1 course - Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons - is completed on-line or at a live workshop (www.positivecoach.org). US Lacrosse members receive a 20% discount to the online version of this workshop. Enter code USLax2009 when you register.
• These components may be completed in any order you wish. Just make sure you keep copies of your completion certificates to include in your coaching portfolio.
| * Note: Attendance at a Level 1 clinic or completion of the Level 1 online course does not "certify" a coach by US Lacrosse. The level 1 and 2 online courses and clinics allow coaches to earn certificates of completion. This information is also recorded in the US Lacrosse database. Many leagues and clubs have independently decided to use the earning of certificates as educational requirements for their coaches. The earning of certificates does not, however, implicitly imply certification as defined by the national governing body, US Lacrosse. |
STEP 2
Do the paperwork - now available ONLINE: Submit your documentation
· Click here to begin the online certification process.
· Fill it out completely, carefully following all instructions on the form
· E-mail, fax, or mail a copy of your PCA certification or card to certification@uslacrosse.org. (if missing certificates, please read FAQs)
· We will contact you via e-mail when your PCA certification is received and when your Level 1 certification check is completed. Please allow 2-4 weeks for this process.
Note: if you have a NCSI background check with your local club or league, please do the following:
· Download the Shared Background Check Request Addendum and attach to your certification portfolio.
· Download the Certification Educational Component Portfolio (pdf format)
· Fill it out completely, carefully following all instructions on the form
· Attach certificates from your educational components where instructed
(if missing certificates, please read FAQs)
· Send the portfolio to US Lacrosse
· We will contact you via e-mail when your portfolio has been reviewed and verified. Please allow 2-4 weeks for the portfolio review.
STEP 3
Take the plunge: Apply to certify
· Go to the web link provided to you in the e-mail.
· Fill out the online application which also collects information to run our state-of-the-art background check through National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI). Please read the FAQs for further details.
• Pay the certification fee of $35; for residents of the state of New York, the cost is $52. This fee covers the background check. The fee in New York is higher due to additional local court fees required to conduct the background search.
• Please allow 4-6 weeks for NCSI to process your background check.
• Click here to read US Lacrosse's position on background checks. (pdf)
STEP 4
Get it: You are certified
· When your background check has been satisfactorily completed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail and your initial certification card will be sent in the mail. Congrats!
Choose to renew your certification each year with your membership renewal. Your certification will expire when your membership expires.
After 3 or 4 years, participate in a continuing education opportunity if you chose not to move on to Level 2 certification.
Why should I become certified?
Be on the cutting edge of lacrosse coaching. Your Level 1 certification verifies that you are a coach apart from the crowd. You have achieved coaching knowledge from the ONLY standardized lacrosse coach training program in the US developed and endorsed by the leader in the sport, the national governing body, US Lacrosse.
Gain a wealth of coaching knowledge and techniques through your certification journey. Tap into the curriculum built by coaches and players at the top of the game, laid out in a logical, progressive way to help you have the most impact on your players.
Certification is easy and convenient. Previous participation in any of the Level 1 educational components counts toward certification. All in-person components for certification are available every year at the US Lacrosse National Convention.
Additional Important Certification Information
• Applicants for certification must be at least 18 years of age.
• The certification fee does not need to be paid until you apply to certify online (upon completion of your portfolio review)
• Your USL membership must remain valid for at least three months following certification application. For details, please see the FAQs.
• Make sure the e-mail address you provide in your portfolio application is current and correct. Upon review, US Lacrosse will send to you, via e-mail, the online link to use to complete the certification process.
• If you have a NCSI background check with your local club or league, please download the Shared Background Check Request Addendum and attach to your certification portfolio.
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