Each person who is employed and renders service as an athletic coach in any District school shall hold a valid temporary or professional certificate or an athletic coaching certificate. The athletic coaching certificate may be used for either full-time or part-time positions. (The provisions of this policy do not apply to any athletic coach who voluntarily renders service and who is not employed by any public school district in this State.)

In addition to the requirements for certification provided for in Policy 3120, athletic coaches shall complete a sports safety course which shall count for six (6) hours of required School District in-service instruction for athletic coaching certification if the course is approved by the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors and meets specified requirements. The course must consist of at least eight (8) modules, must immediately provide an individual with a "merit" certificate at the time of successful completion, and must be delivered through hands-on and online teaching methods. The hands-on course material must be less than 120 pages. In addition, the course must be taught by either a State-licensed athletic trainer who holds a current certificate from the Board of Certification or a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. The course must cover sports safety specifically, excluding coaching principles and procedures for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The course must be authorized or approved by at least ten (10) health care professionals, must be revised and reviewed for updates at least once every thirty (30) months, and must be available to the general public for a retail price under $50. Also, each course examination must be automated and taken online with a score of eighty percent (80%) or better for successful completion.

F.S. 1012.55(2)