Coaching Education
Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to attend a class?

Candidates must be at least 14 years old to attend a State level coaching course and 16 years old to attend a U.S. Soccer course.

How long is my coaching license valid?

At this time, coaching licenses do not expire.

How do I obtain a replacement certificate?

We do not issue replacement certificates, however, we can confirm your license level via email. If you have a profile in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center, you can access your license information online.

Do I have to attend a course for its entire duration?

Yes, each course must be attended in its entirety.

Are there waivers for coaches who hold certifications from organizations outside of U.S. Soccer?

Any waivers regarding licenses or certifications must be directly approved by U.S. Soccer.

Are there waivers for college or professional players who wish to coach?

According to the U.S. Soccer Coaching Education Department, no waivers are allowed as of January 2013. Candidates who wish to obtain a U.S. Soccer coaching license must start at the Grassroots License course. Any exceptions must be directly approved by U.S.Soccer.

At what level course should I start in the U.S. Soccer Pathway?

All of our courses are playing format and age-specific.

If you do not have any previous coaching licenses or certificates, use the following guidelines:

  • If you are coaching a 6U/12U team, we recommend you start with the U.S. Soccer Grassroots in-person or online course based on the playing format you coach (i.e. 4v4, 7v7, 9v9).
  • If you are coaching a 13U or older team, we recommend you start with the U.S. Soccer Grassroots in-person or online course based on the playing format you coach (i.e. 11v11).
  • If you are coaching a Select team, we recommend you start with the U.S. Soccer Grassroots in-person or online course based on the playing format you coach (i.e. 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11), followed by the U.S. Soccer D License Course.

What kind of coaching license or certification do I need to coach with STX Youth Soccer?

An individual must hold a soccer coaching license or a certificate of completion issued by a course or training program that is currently approved by the STX Youth Soccer Technical Director. The STX Youth Soccer State Office maintains a list of all licenses, courses, programs and vendors that are approved for this purpose.

Do I need a license in order to coach?

According to the STX Youth Soccer bylaws (3.2.10), only Registered Coaches are permitted in STX Youth Soccer-sanctioned events or games as coaches or assistant coaches. To be considered a Registered Coach, an individual must hold a current coaching license or certificate, or obtain, within one year of initial registration as a coach, a coaching license or certificate.

How can I host a coaching education course at my Association or Club?

Associations or clubs that wish to host an STX Youth Soccer Coaching Education Course must complete the online application. The host will be contacted by our State Office to finalize details and set up the course. There is no fee to host a coaching course in South Texas.