AYSO Reciprocity Equivalency Agreement

At the present time the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) does not have a reciprocity equivalency agreement with any other soccer organization including the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) or the English Football Association.  However, AYSO believes it is an important issue that must be explored.  Therefore, AYSO has created a reciprocity equivalency agreement for all coaches who hold a valid coaching license issued by US Soccer and will explore options regarding other soccer organizations.

 AYSO and US Soccer both conduct coaching courses and issue coaching licenses to candidates who successfully complete a coaching course. The United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) also issues coaching licenses; however, the licenses issued by them are only sanctioned by U.S. Soccer since the courses are conducted by individual state associations such as California South or Utah Youth Soccer Association. AYSO has reviewed the entire U.S. Soccer coaching program curriculum and has established the following procedure for reciprocity equivalency.

 In order to be eligible for reciprocity, all coaches must:

1.      Become a registered AYSO volunteer.

2.      Become Safe Haven Certified.

3.      Produce a copy of the U.S. Soccer license awarded.

4.      Produce an up-to-date coaching résumé that will be reviewed by the AYSO National Coach.

5.      Be recommended by the Regional Commissioner of the region in which they will be coaching.

6.      Not be on any suspended coaching list for any reason.

7.      Understand that if they desire to become an AYSO Coach Instructor they MUST fulfill all instructor requirements (see AYSO instructor matrix).

All applicants for reciprocity holding a USSF license that have met the above seven requirements will transfer at the following AYSO coach level:

“A” “B” “C” or “D” licensed coaches will be documented as an AYSO Advanced coach – eligible to participate in an AYSO National Coaching Course.

 “E” licensed coaches will be documented as an AYSO Intermediate coach – eligible to participate in an AYSO Advanced Coaching Course.

 YM 1 or YM 3 (formerly “F” license) coaches will be documented as an AYSO U-12, U-10, U-8 and U-6 coach – eligible to participate in an AYSO Intermediate Coaching Course.

There is no reciprocity equivalency at the AYSO National Coach level.  Any coach, regardless of what level license they hold, shall be required to attend and pass the AYSO National Coaching Course in order to attain an AYSO National Coach Certificate.