Coaching Clinics & Certifications

Hockey Alberta requires that each team holds proper certifications to best ensure a positive experience for each athlete. Teams will not be approved by Hockey Alberta until all certification requirements are met. The deadline each year for these certifications to be completed is November 15th. As a coach, you are responsible for ensuring that your required certifications are current and completed well prior to the November 15th deadline.  Teams whose coaches are missing qualifications will not be approved by Hockey Alberta and will not be able to continue on-ice activities past the deadline.  Coaches with missing qualifications who participate past this deadline can be subject to indefinite suspension

Coaches in Alberta have access to a wide variety of clinics and training opportunities to help develop their skills as teachers and instructors of players of all ages across the province. Below are the minimum required certifications required for team approval. Valid Shift Forward - Coach/Team Official or non-expired RIS-Activity Leader is required for ALL coaches prior to going on the ice.  Note that SPMHA will cover the cost of any required coach clinic, including The Shift Forward - Coach/Team Official.  Please submit any coach certification receipts to SPMHA for reimbursement.

**Note that in the below chart, all references to RIS-Activity Leader are replaced by "The Shift Forward - Coach" starting with the 2026-27 season.  Non-expired RIS-Activity leader will also be accepted.