Education · 1 of 5

The path

Nobody licenses coaches. You get hired on results, references and being trusted with other people's children.

1. 1

   Play and then help

   Grades 9 to 12

   Assist with a youth team while you are still in high school. Referee, run a camp, keep a scorebook. Every coach starts unpaid.

2. 2

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   The minimum for almost any paid coaching role, along with being over 18 and passing a background check.

3. 3

   Bachelor's degree, if you want a school or college job

   4 years

   Education, kinesiology, exercise science or sport management. For high school work, a teaching license is the realistic route in, because the coaching stipend is attached to a teaching post.

4. 4

   Coach certification and safety training

   Weeks

   A coaching credential through the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) Learning Center or your sport's national governing body, plus CPR, first aid and concussion courses.

5. 5

   Assist, then run your own program

   2 to 5 years

   Two or three seasons as an assistant is normal before anyone hands you a head coaching job.