USA Basketball and the NCAA today announced that beginning in 2017, all coaches and event operators participating in NCAA certified basketball events need to obtain a USA Basketball Gold Coach License.

“This is an important step for USA Basketball and the NCAA in bringing more structure to the youth coaching level,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO/Executive Director. “USA Basketball wants to provide youth coaches with resources and tools to enhance the experience of youth participants, whether they are an elite-athlete or just love to play the game.”

“We are excited to partner with USA Basketball to continue to provide quality experiences for youth basketball players,” said Dan Gavitt, NCAA vice president of men’s basketball. “The USA Basketball Gold Coach License will enhance the previous NCAA program and will provide more value to coaches and event operators.”  

The USA Basketball Gold Coach License is a program that provides basketball education and training to coaches while ensuring the safety of young people in the sport. The program is offered online, though coaches may obtain their license by attending a USA Basketball Coach Academy. A list of 2017 Coach Academy dates can be found at bit.ly/USABCoachAcademies.

In addition to coaching and safety education, Gold Licensed coaches receive access to the USA Basketball Youth Development curriculum guidebook, premium online coaching content, tools and resources, as well as general liability insurance. Gold Licensed coaches will be provided with a USA Basketball Gold License photo ID card, will have the ability to promote himself or herself as a USA Basketball licensed coach and will be listed online in USA Basketball’s youth coach database.

USA Basketball coach licenses are valid from the time of completion through Aug. 31 of each year.

To earn a Gold License from USA Basketball, coaches must:

• Create an account: usab.com/NCAALicense
• Complete the USA Basketball Youth Development Course
• Complete the NCAA eligibility course
• Complete SafeSport certification: SafeSport is a program developed by the U.S. Olympic Committee and is the Olympic movement’s response to abuse in sport. SafeSport provides training on misconduct in sport: how to recognize it, how to prevent it and how to respond to it.
• Pass a criminal background check

Coaches should allow themselves a minimum of three weeks to complete the required USA Basketball’s Gold Coach Licensing process.

According to NCAA rules, basketball leagues or events must be NCAA certified for Division I student-athletes to participate, and/or NCAA Division I coaches to attend and observe the participating prospects. To learn more about the NCAA cerfification process, visit ncaa.org/enforcement/basketball-certification.

For more information on the USA Basketball Gold Coach License, please visit usab.com/NCAALicense or call 1-844-652-6201.