Coaching Clearance Process

HOW TO REGISTER TO COACH

Coach Clearances and Registration Instructions

**Background checks need to be updated every 5 years**

PA-State Criminal Background Check

Call 1-888-783-7972 If You Have Problems⚽︎ Select “New Volunteer Record Check” (this one is free to process, the other options are not- choose wisely)⚽︎ Complete the required information. Once your record request is processed, you will see proof of the transaction with a control number and the date you are processing the request.⚽︎ When the “Search Results” table appears, click on the “Control Number.” Once you click the control number, the “Record Check Details” page is opened. This is only a receipt and not acceptable as a clearance. Save a screenshot or hard copy of this page in case you need to retrieve your clearance again in the future⚽︎ Click on “Certification” to access your official clearance. Please retain this copy for your records

 Child Abuse History Clearance

 ⚽︎ Click the box, “Create Individual Account” and create a new Keystone ID before you begin your application. You will receive a temporary password sent to the email address provided.⚽︎ Retrieve your temporary password from your email open the website address again. Log in by entering the Keystone ID you created and the temporary password that was emailed to you and follow the directions to create your permanent password⚽︎ Follow the prompts to apply for your clearance.⚽︎ You will either have immediate access to your results or the status of your results, if your results cannot be processed immediately.⚽︎ Please retain a copy for your records⚽︎ Have you lived in Pennsylvania for at least the past 10 years??? You so, you can print and have notarized the Volunteer Affidavit Form. Please reach out if you are unsure how to have a form notarized.

⚽︎ If you have not lived in PA for the past 10 years, complete the FBI History Check by doing the following:

At the bottom of the page select FBI History Check and fill out your information on the following pages.

You will need to make an appointment for fingerprinting at an approved location (most use the UPS store in the shopping center on McKnight Rd & Siebert) *please note there is a fee associated with this step and Shaler Soccer Club does not reimburse* Coach Training SafeSport

⚽︎ If this is your first season coaching, create and account and complete the approximately 90-minute course called “SafeSport Trained- US Soccer Federation.⚽︎ If you are a returning coach, you need to complete a 20-minute refresher course every year. Log into your SafeSport account, go to your dashboard, select Catalog and choose one of the 3 Safesport Refresher courses every year until you have completed them all and then on year 5 you will need to start over with the 90-minute course again.⚽︎ Save your certificate of completion for the course you completed  Coach Registration

Once you have completed the background checks and Safesport training, upload the certificates PA West’s Risk Management Website by doing the following: 

⚽︎ Log in using Affinity ID and password for coaching registration (or create a login if this is your first season coaching)

⚽︎ Click on Create Registration

⚽︎ PA Background check will be highlighted – click Continue

⚽︎ You will see your name and any other family members – click Continue

⚽︎ Click on Register as Coach/Admin next to YOUR name at top

⚽︎ At Drop Down Box under Play Level click Background Check (it is the only option)

⚽︎ Under Personal Information section click on box that says “click here to show photo or certification upload”

⚽︎ Boxes will appear: The first is for a headshot (this is especially important if you are coaching U10 and up, please do not skip this step). The other 4 boxes are to upload proof of your background checks and SafeSport certificate.

 *Please make sure that you place each document in the appropriate box or PA West will not approve you*

⚽︎ Once you have uploaded the documents and completed all the other required fields, click SAVE bottom of page

⚽︎ PA-West will review and your account will be automatically updated to “approved”.

You should receive an email from PA West once you have been approved or you will receive an email explaining why you weren't and what needs corrected.

  Finally, please remember to obtain your Grassroots Coaching License

Instructions and information can be found here

Beginning in the Fall 2019 season, all youth soccer coaches under the US Youth Soccer system (including PA West) must complete four hours of age-group specific training provided by qualified professional coaching staff members. 

The training sessions will include both classroom and on-field training, targeted to the special abilities and needs of age-specific players. This is an excellent opportunity to increase our coaches’ knowledge and capabilities, both in the technical and tactical aspects of the game. It is also necessary to keep our club strong, growing and providing the best overall experience for our players and their families.

**Candidates must create a profile in the US Soccer Digital Coaching Center (many of you already have one): http://dcc.ussoccer.com. Please note: when creating your profile in the DCC please make sure your name, birth date, and email address match your PA West Soccer Online Registration Admin Profile. This will allow the two systems to sync and your license to be automatically added to your Admin Profile.

**Candidates must then watch The 20 Minute Online Video - Introduction to Grassroots Pathway - prior to registering for any course. Upon completion you will receive a certificate and then get access to registration to the available courses.

** Once you have access to the registration, select the course that you would like to attend and click on that course.

** If the course is full, you will be put on a waitlist and receive an e-mail from US Soccer. Do not register for another course. This will create duplicate records and you will be charged twice.

Frequently asked Questions and Answers

What class do I register for if I coach multiple teams at different age groups?

Please register for the class of the highest level you will be coaching in the Fall of 2019 season. For example, if you will be coaching U9 and U7, please take the 7v7 training.

HOWEVER – the spirit of the requirement is not to take the 11 v 11 class and then think you are OK to coach all age groups below. PA West will not accept this strategy and will not issue you a coaching card for younger age groups.

At what age group are coaching cards required on the sidelines?

*PA West issues coaching (and player) cards for Sunday teams - U11+ for recreational play, and U10+ for D4 (Travel) play. However, we would like all U9 and older coaches to obtain their coaching cards.

*If you are coaching at age groups where both require a coaching card, you should register for both levels of play (example: 11 v 11 and 7 v 7).

*If you have one team that requires a coaching card and are also coaching an in-house team, please take the course that requires the card.

*If you have doubt, questions or a special situation – contact Kim Rios

Do assistant/co-coaches need to get certified?

If you will be an assistant/co-coach in an age group that requires a coaching card from PA West (U9 and above) then you need to be certified. You cannot be on the coaches’ sideline without a coaching card. If you will be a U8 and below assistant/co-coach next season you do not need to attend the classes. The head coach for each team will suffice. If you are not a head coach now at U8 and below but would like to be in the Fall Season or future seasons– please register for the appropriate age group session.

Do I need to attend a certification session if I hold a “A” thru “E” license? (the previous US Soccer model).

If you have a national “D” license or above you do no need to register for any class. It is highly recommended that you take the on-line presentation for any age group you plan to coach. You will need to provide proof to the club – and PA West – that you hold a current and approved “D” license (or above) to receive your coaching card from PA West for future seasons. If you have questions about what previous “A” through “D” license you hold and whether it is approved or not, or if your license is not appearing on your PA West profile, please contact Cheryl Mignogna at PA West.

** Note this exemption only applies to “D” licenses and above. It does not apply to those who took the PA West age-specific online courses in 2017 – those courses/certifications are no longer valid and you must register for one of the new courses.

Additional notes:

**Shaler Soccer Club is extremely appreciative of everything that the volunteer coaches do for our players. We understand the time and commitment required each season and we as a club are very proud of the level of support we get each season from our parent-coaches. The Club is making every effort to make the process of complying with the new coaching requirements as easy as possible for our coaches.