Compliance Requirements
Who is required to be compliant?
U.S. Figure Skating requires coaches coaching at U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned events (except some club events, see below) to be fully Coach Compliant. This includes all U.S. Figure Skating test sessions and U.S. Figure Skating competitions (non-qualifying and qualifying). U.S. Figure Skating compliant coaches may also coach at U.S. Figure Skating Member club events (with the permission of the club) and Compete USA competitions.
In order to be considered compliant to coach at U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned events and activities, coaches must complete the requirements listed on this chart:
Learn to Skate USA® requires Instructors coaching Learn to Skate USA® group classes to be fully Learn to Skate USA® Instructor Compliant. Learn to Skate USA® compliant instructors may also coach at U.S. Figure Skating Member club events (with the permission of the club) and Compete USA competitions.
In order to be considered compliant to coach at Learn to Skate USA® sanctioned events and activities, instructors must complete the requirements listed on this chart:
U.S. Figure Skating Coach Compliance Details
Membership Requirement: Coaches must have a full membership with U.S. Figure Skating. This may be in the form of an individual membership or through a figure skating club.
U.S. Figure Skating Coach Core Certification: The Core Certification Course is a once-in-a-career in-depth online course divided into five sections reflecting the core values of U.S. Figure Skating: community, resilience, integrity, respect and excellence. These sections feature 17 modules that cover the key fundamentals that every figure skating coach should understand including topics such as athlete health and well-being, creating a positive sport experience, professionalism, delivery of feedback, growth and development, training basics and general technique concepts. (Note: Completion of this course demonstrates a coach's understanding of the topics above, it does not ensure compliance with U.S. Figure Skating rules and policies). This course can be found on the coach tab of a member's profile (member profiles can be created and accessed from the "Login" button at the top of this page once the Membership Requirement above has been fulfilled).
U.S. Figure Skating Coach I.C.E.: Coach I.C.E. stands for “Inspiring Coaching Excellence.” It is U.S. Figure Skating’s program for coach development, education and accreditation. It provides coaches with the tools they need to be certified, as well as active, engaged learners who seek to grow and develop as professionals. This program must be joined annually. Joining the program is what marks you as a U.S. Figure Skating coach and causes all of the remaining compliance items to appear on the compliance tab of a member's profile. Most Coach I.C.E. resources can be accessed on the coach tab of a member's profile.
SafeSport™ Training: This training is created and maintained by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and is accessible via Members Only. Once a person completes the SafeSport™ Trained course, completion of a refresher course will be required annually thereafter.
Background Check: All coaches 18 years of age and older must complete an annual background check via Members Only. U.S. Figure Skating partners with NCSI to ensure the process is secure and confidential, and only background checks conducted by NCSI will be accepted. Should an applicant contest a U.S. Figure Skating decision to deny participation as a coach in U.S. Figure Skating activities based on a "red light" finding from the background search, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision to U.S. Figure Skating pursuant to a process established by U.S. Figure Skating.
Code of Ethics: All coaches must review and agree to the U.S. Figure Skating Code of Ethics, accessible via Members Only.
Coaching Standards of Professionalism: All coaches must review and agree to the Coaching Standards of Professionalism which are based upon expectations for all coaches in the Olympic Movement, as determined by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Verification of Liability Insurance: Coaches must show proof of liability insurance which may be purchased through U.S. Figure Skating or the carrier of their choice.
Continuing Education Units: U.S. Figure Skating requires all coaches to participate annually in continuing education through the Coach I.C.E. program. This includes webinars, seminars, eLearning courses, workshops, etc.
