Licensing Requirements by Division
All Tennessee State Soccer Association Coaches, Head Coaches AND Assistant Coaches, must have the minimum coaching license depending on the division they are coaching.
***PLEASE NOTE: COACHES MUST ATTEND IN-PERSON COURSES TO MEET CURRENT TN STATE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.
DIVISION 1 (U13-U19)
USSF National D License or United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) National Diploma
DIVISION 2 (U13-U19)
11 v 11 In-Person License or “E” License or United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) National Diploma or higher
DIVISION 3 (U13-U19)
11 v 11 In-Person License or “E” License or United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) National Diploma or higher
SOCCER JUNIORS (U11-U12)
9 v 9 In-Person License or “E” License or United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) National Diploma or higher
SOCCER JUNIORS (U9-U10)
7 v 7 In-Person License or “E” License or United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) National Diploma or higher
DIVISION 4
No Requirements. Recommend in person or online license for game format being coached.
It is highly recommended that coaches complete the online education module course offered by U.S. Soccer BEFORE taking the in-person requirement. Please note a $25 charge is incurred in the Learning Center payable to U.S. Soccer to access an online course. A U.S. Soccer/USSF Coaching License is granted after completion of all online modules except the free Intro to Grassroots Coaching course.
Online course modules include: Introduction to Grassroots Coaching, Introduction to Safe Playing Environments and SafeSport
Online course licenses include: 4 vs 4 Online License, 7 vs 7 Online License, 9 vs 9 Online License, 11 vs 11 online License,
Online courses are available through the U.S. Soccer Learning Center (LC). Course fees are payable directly to US Soccer.
Please note; coaches must attend IN-PERSON courses to meet current TN State licensing requirements
The US Soccer Federation does not grant waivers into the coaching education pathway to coaches holding any other US soccer affiliate coaching certificates or diplomas.
The US Soccer Federation does not recognize foreign grassroots coaching licenses as equivalencies to bypass US Soccer coaching education pathway levels; The TN State Soccer Association recognizes credentials from other recognized coaching education organizations to meet coaching license requirements at different divisional levels in Tennessee. U.S. Soccer also recognizes certain licenses from other federations or confederations as a means to begin at the C or B course level. The decision to recognize certain foreign licenses belongs to U.S. Soccer and is subject to change.
For information regarding licensing waivers based on documented professional or national team playing experience, please contact US Soccer directly.
Currently, coaching licenses do not expire, but U.S. Soccer is evaluating potential changes to the renewal process. U.S. Soccer (USSF) is the only organization able to award coaching licenses in the United States.”