NICA Coaching First Aid & CPR Requirements
NICA first aid standards are specific to each coaching level. Level 1 coaches are not required to have first aid or CPR training.
LEVEL 2:
CPR
Accepted from any certifying organization that includes an in-person training or assessment component (hybrid courses are accepted). The coach must have a CPR-specific certification. First Aid or other certifications will not be accepted in lieu of a CPR certification except for specific professional certifications defined here:
Basic First Aid
Any First Aid certification is accepted.
Things to look for in a high quality First Aid Course:
- Instruction on basic wound assessment and care, basic injury assessment and stabilization, and basic scene assessment. Coaches should walk away from the course knowling how to handle basic injuries in the field and when to call for higher level help.
- We recommend a course that is 3-4 hours in length to ensure topics are covered in depth
- We recommend a course that includes an in person and hands on component.
LEVEL 3:
CPR
Accepted from any certifying organization that includes an in-person training or assessment component (hybrid courses are accepted). The coach must have a CPR-specific certification. First Aid or other certifications will not be accepted in lieu of a CPR certification except for specific professional certifications defined here:
NICA Approved First Aid
* Must be from a preapproved NICA provider.
These providers’ curricula have been vetted by NICA to ensure they include First Aid most pertinent to the NICA setting. Check out the approved provider list or get in touch with your League for recommendations of providers in your area. Certifications from providers not on this list will not be accepted for Level 3 coaches unless it is a WFA or higher certification.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA, 16 hours)
Required instead of NICA Approved First Aid, for Level 3 coaches if your team hosts practices in locations that are more than one hour from definitive care. Due to statewide geography, Idaho and Nevada North require all Level 2 and 3 Coaches to complete Wilderness First Aid. Please check with your League Director if you are unsure of your team’s requirements. Any WFA provider will be accepted and does not need to be preapproved by NICA.
Approved Professional Qualifications
Approved professional qualifications may be substituted for a first aid course (i.e. Medical Doctor or registered nurse license) - please see our list of approved qualifications, and upload documentation of your professional certification/license in Pit Zone. Documentation must show the certification/license is active and list an expiration/renewal date.
Finding Training
First aid providers and courses are not always standardized and range widely in quality. The best place to begin your search for a first aid course is with your league, which organizes and hosts courses seasonally. When looking for Level 2 as described above, any first aid certification is accepted (see above guidance on finding reputable providers). When you are looking for Level 3 “NICA Approved First Aid” courses please reference the NICA Approved Provider list provided below. For Level 3 WFA, any WFA provider will be accepted.
Submitting your Credentials
Once you receive your first aid certificate, you may upload it to your Coach Profile in Pit Zone. You will need to upload both a First Aid and a CPR certification with a date of certification or expiration listed.
If you are uploading an approved professional qualification in lieu of First Aid and/or CPR, please upload documentation that demonstrates your license/certification is active and lists an expiration or renewal date. For example, this can be a screenshot of your license status from your state’s Board of Nursing.
Check out these step-by-step instructions on uploading your First Aid/CPR documentation:
Prospective NICA Approved First Aid Providers
To become a NICA Approved First Aid provider for Level 3 coaches, please review the process of becoming approved here:
* Basic First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and CPR providers do not need to be pre-approved.