Special Services Coaching Permit

Who applies?

A Standard Special Services Permit is for applicants who don’t hold a regular teaching certificate and wish to coach in a Nebraska school system.

Where is it valid?

A Standard Special Services Permit is valid for coaching in all Nebraska school systems.

When does it expire?

A Standard Special Services Permit is a 5-year permit and expires on September 30th in the fifth year following the year of issuance.

What are the requirements for this certificate?

An application and fee in the TEACH system (Please note that registration for TEACH is required first; then an application can be submitted.)
Fingerprints (required only if someone has lived outside of Nebraska in the past five years)
Completion of the Fundamentals of Coaching and First Aid, Health and Safety courses. Both courses are available through NFHS Learn | Interscholastic Education, Made Easy. No substitutions are permitted. Certificates of completion may be during the application process or emailed to nde.tcertweb@nebraska.gov.
Coaching Human Relations Training- Completion of the two courses taken through the NFHS will meet the HRT requirement for a coaching permit only.

In order to renew a Special Services Permit, applicants will need to meet one of the following requirements:

Within five years prior to the date of the application for renewal, have been employed as a coach for at least one year in a Nebraska school system while holding a Standard Special Services Permit OR
Within two years prior to the application for renewal, have completed coursework in first aid, health and safety for coaches and fundamentals of coaching as set forth in the Special Services Coaching endorsement. Those courses can be found here: NFHS Learn | Interscholastic Education, Made Easy

Employment is verified through this form: Verification of Employment Experience

Do I need to hold a permit to coach in a Nebraska school system?

Due to recent changes in bylaws from NSAA, it is up to the school whether they will require coaches to hold a permit.

I currently hold a Regular Teaching Certificate, do I also need to hold a Coaching Permit?

No, you do not need to hold both. A Regular Teaching Certificate would cover for coaching if your school district requires a permit.

Can I be an athletic director with this permit?

In Nebraska, athletic directors are coded in two ways. The first has no supervision tied to it. Someone with just a Coaching Permit may be an athletic director if that position does not require any supervising of staff. The second does have a supervisory role tied to it. To qualify for that position, an applicant will need to hold an Administrative Certificate.

Is there anything that I can substitute for the NFHS certificates?

The only option for a Coaching Permit to substitute the NFHS certificates is if the applicant currently holds an active EMT license.

How recent do the certificates of completion need to be?

For first time applicants, the certificates of completion need to be completed within 2 years from the date of the application.

Do I need to take an HRT course?

Completing the NFHS courses count towards meeting the HRT requirement for coaching.

Can I substitute teach on this permit?

No in order to substitute teach, an applicant needs to qualify and hold a Substitute Permit.