ASEP Frequently Asked Questions

IHSA Coaching Requirement Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions/Information

The most frequently used coaching certification course in Illinois is known as ASEP (American Sport Education Program).

1)        IHSA Requirements for ASEP Certification
          (The following courses can be taken online or through a classroom setting-both meet the same requirements). All of the following requirements must be completed before a coach can have coaching interaction with any high school individual participant or team.
          *Coaching Principles
          *Sports First Aid
          *IHSA By-Law Exam: This exam is free and should be included in the packet with the Coaching Principles and Sports First Aid Exams.  If it is not included in your packet of materials, please contact the ASEP Office.  You will need the IHSA Handbook with Illustrations as a tool to complete this exam.  You can find it On the IHSA Web Site (http://www.ihsa.org/org/policy/index.htm); Purchase it from the IHSA Office; or check with your school to borrow a copy while testing.

2)        What is the age requirement for a Head, Asst. or Volunteer coach?
          Nineteen (19) years of age.  All coaches must meet the 19-year age requirement whether or not the coaching
position is paid or voluntary.

3)        How does a school hiring a coach know if the coach has met the coaching requirement?
          School representatives can check certification dates and exam scores (pass/fail) by going to the following web site.  www.asep.com/asep_content/org/IHSA.cfm; click on “National Coaches Registry”.  In order for this service to work correctly, the representative will need the correct city, name and spelling used by the coach during certification application.

4)        Are you eligible to coach immediately after testing?
          No, not until you are notified of a passing grade.

5)        If you’ve taken the ASEP Course and have coached, but took time off.  Do you need to retake the ASEP Course?
          No, once you have passed the courses you don’t have to take them again.

6)        Is a cheerleading coach required to take the ASEP course?
          *If a school is competing in competitive cheerleading, the coach must meet the requirement.
          *If a school has sideline cheerleaders only, the coach does not have to meet the coaching requirement. In this case, cheerleading is classified as an activity.  Activity sponsors or coaches are not required to take the ASEP course.

7)        How do I obtain a copy of my ASEP Certificate?
          To obtain a copy or replacement certificate, please contact the ASEP office @ (800) 747-5698 Ext. 2222.

8)        Please refer to page 92 of the IHSA Handbook with Illustrations for a complete list of other coaches education programs approved by the IHSA Board of Directors.  They can also be found on the IHSA Web Site @ http://www.ihsa.org/org/policy/policies.pdf; scroll down to number 9 in the policies.

9)        Where can I find a complete list of ASEP Classroom courses? 
          http://www.ihsa.org/nficep/index.htm

10)      How much does the ASEP Classroom course cost? 
          Most Classroom courses run approximately $250.00.  The person taking the course should contact the instructor for the classroom course they will be attending for complete details.  The instructor name and phone number is listed on the list of classroom courses.  Generally the courses are taught in 1 day and then the potential coach completes the necessary home study prior to testing.

11)      What is the time requirement to send back the paper exams after you take the ASEP classroom course?
          One (1) year.  The IHSA Office does not set the time limitation, ASEP does.  Contact the ASEP Office for the exact deadline.

12)      Once, I mail my test results to ASEP, how long does it take to get the results?
          Please allow 3-5 weeks for processing.

13)      Can I attend a classroom course and still take my exams online?
          Yes. Materials distributed by the instructor conducting the classroom course will contain a keycode number to allow you to go online to complete your exams online.

14)      Retesting? If I fail a paper test can I retest?
          Yes, you can (must) take any failed exam again if you wish to become ASEP certified.  The charge to retake a paper test is $20.00. If you failed a paper exam and sent it to ASEP for evaluation, you will be notified by ASEP.  They will provide a new answer sheet with further instructions.  It is recommended that all exams are taken online.  It may become mandatory to do so in the near future.

15)      Where can I find the information regarding the ASEP online courses?
          http://www.asep.com/asep_content/org/IHSA.cfm or you can access it by going to ihsa.org; click on IHSA Coaching Requirements (ASEP).

16)      How much does the ASEP online course cost?
          The online course costs $115.00 for the Coaching Principles exam, $95.00 for the Sports First Aid Course, IHSA By-Law Exam (no charge).

17)      What is the time requirement to complete the online exams?
          One (1) year from the date you open your account. 

18)      Once, I complete my tests online, how long does it take to get the results?
          You will get your results immediately.

19)      Retesting? If I fail an online exam(s), can I retest?
            Yes, you can (must) take any failed exam again if you wish to become ASEP certified.  The charge to retake an exam is $10.00.
            Steps to retest online -After viewing the results of your online examination and verifying that it will be necessary to retest, follow these steps:
          a. Return to the ASEP homepage and select the “Quick Link” to take a retest.
          b. From here follow the instructions provided on your computer screen.

20)      Does a coach have to have the ASEP course if he/she has a substitute-teaching certificate (Type 39)?  If the person will be:
            *Asst. Coach & Volunteer Coaches:  The Type 39 will satisfy the requirement and the coach will not have to complete the ASEP course.
            *Head Coach:  The Type 39 will not satisfy the requirement and he/she must take the ASEP course.  The course must be completed and the coach must possess his/her certificate or notification of a passing grade prior to any coaching interaction with high school students.

21)      Out-of-State Teaching Certificates?
          A person who has an out-of-state teaching certificate can apply for a substitute-teaching certificate in Illinois, but could only serve as an assistant coach.  A person who has an out-of-state teaching certificate and would like to be a head coach should contact the Illinois State Board of Education to find out what’s necessary to possess an active Illinois Teaching Certificate or complete the ASEP Certification Course.  The web address for the Illinois State Board of Education is: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/

22)      Waivers
          Waivers are commonly granted for the Sports First Aid Course, if the individual is a Licensed Doctor, Nurse or EMT.  Documentation must be sent via mail or fax to Ron McGraw at the IHSA for verification before the waiver is officially granted.

23)      Are student teachers allowed to coach during their student teaching experience?
          *A college student that has been officially assigned to a member high school to participate in their Student Teaching Experience may serve as an assistant coach during that experience with no coaching certification. 
          *If their Student Teaching Experience is completed prior to the completion of the sport season in which they are coaching, they may complete that sport season only. 
          *This provision does not apply to college students completing classroom observations.  It only applies to the official student teaching experience.
          *Student teachers can not be paid for their coaching experience unless they are certified according to IHSA standards.      

24)      School is looking to fill a Head Coaching Position. The applicant has a Bachelors Degree . The applicant has no teaching certificate or substitute teaching certificate.  Does the applicant need to complete the ASEP Course?
          Yes, the applicant must successfully complete the ASEP Course since he/she does not have a teaching certificate and is applying for a Head Coaching Position. 

25)      If a volunteer coach does not possess a substitute teaching certificate, do they have to complete the Coaching Principles, Sports First Aid, IHSA By-Law Exam?
          Yes, all requirements must be met.  It does not matter if the coach is paid or volunteer.

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