the NECSL Coaching Education Mandate (FALL 2025)
Beginning with the Fall 2025 season, all coaches (Head and Assistant) that coach in the NECSL are required to obtain a minimum US Soccer Grassroots in-person license, an equivalent course, or a higher qualification. The minimum is a US Soccer grassroots in-person license or equivalent with 4 hours or more duration.
All Coaching Education licenses and registration are available through the US Soccer Learning Center or visit your State Association Coaching Education Resource page.
Beginning with the Fall 2025 season, all coaches (Head and Assistant) that coach in the NECSL are required to obtain a minimum US Soccer Grassroots in-person license, an equivalent course, or a higher qualification. The minimum is a US Soccer grassroots in-person license or equivalent with 4 hours or more duration.
All Coaching Education licenses and registration are available through the US Soccer Learning Center or visit your State Association Coaching Education Resource page.
State Association | Coaching Education Resources
- Connecticut: https://www.cjsa.org/coaching/
- Maine: https://www.soccermaine.com/coaches/
- Massachusetts: https://mayouthsoccer.org/coaches/coaching-education/
- New Hampshire: https://soccernh.com/coaching/coaching-course-schedule/
- Rhode Island: https://www.soccer-ri.com/news/2024/02/25/new-grassroots-coaching-courses-added/
- Vermont: https://www.vermontsoccer.org/coaches-courses/
the NECSL Coaching Education Mandate FAQs
Which US Soccer Grassroots Course are acceptable?
Is a US Soccer online Grassroots Course acceptable?
Are foreign licenses allowed?
Is anyone grandfathered?
How will proof of a license be recorded?
Which US Soccer Grassroots Course are acceptable?
- Any Grassroots Course (11v11, 9v9, 7v7, or 4v4) that has an in-person component involved
- Blended Course: 2-hour virtual classroom and 2-hour in-person field session
- Traditional In-Person Course: 2 hours in-person + 2 hours field session
- Blended Course: 2-hour virtual classroom and 2-hour in-person field session
Is a US Soccer online Grassroots Course acceptable?
- No, this online course with no live interaction or discussion and with no field piece connected, does not meet the NECSL mandate requirements
Are foreign licenses allowed?
- Yes, any soccer coaching license that is more than 4 hours and has an in-person facet is considered equivalent to the Grassroots mandate
Is anyone grandfathered?
- No, the mandate applies to all coaches (head and assistant) that will be listed on a team roster
How will proof of a license be recorded?
- The NECSL will work with each state association on the process of clubs/coaches sharing their licenses in order for them to be added to an approved roster. The NECSL will share more information on this process later this Spring.
- For those not completing requirement with US Soccer, they will need to show proof of license via upload through State Association registration portal
- For those not completing requirement with US Soccer, they will need to show proof of license via upload through State Association registration portal
