MADE FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL SETTING.
HSSCC focuses on the athletes, schedules, school environments, and coaching responsibilities that shape strength and conditioning at the high school level.
Unlocking Athletic Potential: The HSSCC Advantage
Elevating High School Strength & Conditioning Nationwide
NHSSCA HIGH SCHOOL STRENGTH COACH CERTIFICATION
Built For The High School Coach.
Whether you’re a dedicated strength coach, PE teacher, or sport coach responsible for your school’s weight room, the NHSSCA High School Strength Coach Certification (HSSCC) provides the practical education to help you lead with knowledge, confidence, and purpose. Built by high school coaches, for the realities of high school athletics.
Enrollment: Open to eligible NHSSCA Professional and Student Members. Certification price: $199.
12 Units
High-school-focused curriculum
48+ Hours
On-demand educational content
Self-Paced
Online learning, on your schedule
12 Months
To complete from enrollment
Why HSSCC / Built for the Work You Do
A CERTIFICATION BUILT FOR YOUR WORLD.
A high school weight room is more than a training space. It is a classroom, a team environment, and a place where young athletes learn habits that can last a lifetime. Your professional development should reflect that reality.
KNOW MORE. COACH BETTER.
Explore training principles alongside teaching, assessment, athlete development, and practical program decisions—so ideas connect to what happens in your weight room.
LEARN WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR PROGRAM.
Online, self-paced coursework allows you to study around practices, classes, and seasons, with a defined 12-month period to complete the certification requirements.
NHSSCA HSSCC / THE CURRICULUM
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN.
Twelve instructional units connect the science of strength and conditioning with the realities of teaching, coaching, and leading programs in the high school setting. Explore the learning objectives for every unit below.
12 UnitsHigh-school-specific coursework
43 ChaptersStructured learning material
43 QuizzesKnowledge checks
24 Case StudiesApplied learning scenarios
01 / FOUNDATIONS & PROGRAM DESIGN
Build the foundation
01Learning unit
Foundations of Strength & Conditioning
Identify the history, principles, and professional standards of high school strength and conditioning while applying foundational knowledge of anatomy, exercise physiology, and training philosophies to athlete development.
02Learning unit
Long-Term Athletic Development & Program Design
Apply long-term athletic development principles, exercise progressions, periodization models, and training variables to design structured strength and conditioning programs appropriate for athletes of varying ages and abilities.
03Learning unit
Performance Preparation & Recovery
Design effective warm-up routines, implement recovery strategies, and identify appropriate training modifications that support athlete readiness, performance, and safe return to activity.
04Learning unit
Strength Development & Exercise Selection
Select and teach appropriate strength training exercises using safe progressions and regressions while addressing the physical, psychological, and developmental considerations of female athletes.
02 / ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Develop athletic qualities
05Learning unit
Power Development & Plyometrics
Apply plyometric principles, medicine ball training, and explosive strength methods to develop athletic power through safe exercise selection, progression, and programming.
06Learning unit
Agility & Change of Direction
Differentiate agility from change of direction, teach effective movement and deceleration mechanics, and design progressive training programs that develop reactive ability and athletic performance.
07Learning unit
Linear Speed Development
Identify the biomechanical principles of acceleration and maximum velocity, teach proper sprint mechanics, and develop progressive speed training programs appropriate for high school athletes.
08Learning unit
Conditioning & Energy System Development
Explain the role of energy systems in athletic performance, evaluate conditioning methods and assessments, and design sport-specific conditioning programs that account for seasonal and multi-sport demands.
09Learning unit
Athlete Testing, Evaluation & Readiness
Select and interpret athletic performance assessments, movement screens, and readiness indicators to monitor athlete development, guide training decisions, and evaluate program effectiveness.
03 / TEACHING & LEADERSHIP
Lead beyond the weight room
10Learning unit
Character Development, Nutrition & Coaching Culture
Apply character development strategies, foundational nutrition and hydration principles, and effective teaching practices to create a safe, positive, and supportive training environment.
11Learning unit
Curriculum Development & Instruction
Develop strength and conditioning curricula using educational standards, learning objectives, lesson planning, and assessment strategies to support effective instruction and student development.
12Learning unit
Program Leadership & Administration
Apply effective communication, facility and equipment management, staffing, professional development, and risk management practices to establish and maintain a safe, successful high school strength and conditioning program.
LEARNING THAT GOES BEYOND THEORY.
Discover how the self-paced course is delivered, what technology you need, and how to complete your certification within 12 months of enrollment.
The HSSCC Learning Experience
Your schedule.
Your progress.
Your certification.
Professional education should fit the realities of a school year. HSSCC delivers high-school-focused instruction online, with a self-paced format, structured learning activities, and a clear timeframe for completion.
Course Delivery
Online & Self-Paced
Learning Content
48+ Hours
Completion Deadline
12 Months
01 / Participation & Progress
A structured path you can follow.
Work through 12 instructional units, including educational content, chapters, quizzes, and case studies. The program is designed for independent progress within NHSSCA's online learning environment.
- Access your course.Sign in with your NHSSCA account after enrolling and open your assigned HSSCC learning materials.
- Study each unit.Review the course instruction and complete its associated learning activities at your own pace.
- Complete required assessments.Work through the quizzes and other assigned course requirements. Successful completion is based on meeting the applicable course and assessment criteria.
- Finish within 12 months.Complete the certification requirements no later than 12 months after your enrollment date.
02 / Technology Readiness
What you'll need to participate.
Before enrolling, make sure you can reliably access NHSSCA's online learning platform and complete the instructional activities.
- Device: A computer or compatible tablet or mobile device. A computer is recommended for longer written activities.
- Internet: A reliable connection that can load course pages and stream instructional videos.
- Web browser: A current, up-to-date browser with cookies and JavaScript enabled.
- NHSSCA access: An active NHSSCA account, eligible Professional or Student Membership for enrollment, and HSSCC course access.
- Time to participate: Availability to view lessons, complete quizzes, and work through case studies during your enrollment period.
Need to confirm your device or browser compatibility before purchasing? Contact info@nhssca.us. Specific supported browser versions and accessibility accommodations should be confirmed with NHSSCA Administrative Services.
Important / Plan Your Enrollment
You have 12 months from enrollment to finish.
The course completion window starts when you enroll—not when you begin your first lesson. Allow time to review the instructional materials and satisfy all required assessments within that period.
Course completion and the three-year validity period of an earned HSSCC certification are separate timelines. Certification maintenance requirements are explained later on this page.
HSSCC / Eligibility & Pricing
One certification.
A clear path forward.
Know what it takes to get started. HSSCC is available to eligible NHSSCA Professional and Student Members, with a straightforward enrollment process and a defined 12-month period to complete the certification coursework and assessments.
HSSCC Certification Fee
$199
Invest in your professional development.
The $199 HSSCC enrollment fee is separate from NHSSCA annual membership dues. You must have an eligible membership to enroll.
- Online, self-paced certification coursework
- 12 instructional units with quizzes and case studies
- 12 months from enrollment to complete required coursework and assessments
- Certification awarded upon successful completion of applicable requirements
The 12-month completion period applies to coursework. Once earned, the certification carries a separate three-year validity period, subject to NHSSCA's approved certification policies.
Who Can Enroll?
Two eligible membership pathways.
Select the membership that matches your current role. Both of the following categories are eligible for HSSCC enrollment.
01
Professional Members
High school coaching and education professionals working in strength and conditioning or athletic development, including appropriate school and training environments.
02
Student Members
Eligible undergraduate or graduate students preparing for coaching, teaching, strength and conditioning, or related high school athletic-development roles. Student status verification is required.
Your enrollment process. Three steps.
01 / MEMBERSHIP
Confirm eligibility.
Join NHSSCA as a Professional or verified Student Member, or confirm your existing eligible membership is active.
02 / ENROLLMENT
Purchase HSSCC.
Use your NHSSCA account to enroll in the $199 certification program. Membership dues, if applicable, are a separate cost.
03 / LEARNING
Begin your coursework.
Access your assigned online learning materials and plan to meet the required assessments and 12-month completion deadline.
Enrollment and purchase access are finalized in the HSSCC enrollment section. Please confirm that your membership status is recognized before purchasing; contact info@nhssca.us if you need assistance.
Enrolling multiple coaches or staff members?
NHSSCA offers HSSCC staff-package inquiries for schools and organizations. Contact Administrative Services to discuss available options.
HSSCC / COACH PERSPECTIVES
BUILT BY COACHES.
VALUED BY COACHES.
You don't have to take our word for it. Coaches who have experienced HSSCC describe why high-school-specific education matters—from everyday decisions in the weight room to professional growth and school-wide credibility.
Real coaches. Real school settings.Perspectives published by NHSSCA.
In their words / excerpt
“The first certification that relates to the everyday high school strength coach.”
Coach perspective / summarized
For coaches at different stages of their careers, the HSSCC provides practical knowledge for organizing and operating a high school strength and conditioning program.
01 / PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
A HIGHER STANDARD FOR THE PROFESSION.
Certification can support the profession's integrity, while remaining distinct from a guarantee of an individual coach's competence.
02 / REAL-WORLD RELEVANCE
EDUCATION FOR YOUR SETTING.
HSSCC content speaks to coaches serving high school students and athletes across different school environments.
03 / EVERYDAY APPLICATION
BRING THE LEARNING BACK TO ATHLETES.
Course lessons offered immediately useful ideas and helped articulate the reasoning behind training decisions.
YOUR NEXT STEP IN COACHING STARTS WITH LEARNING.
Explore the membership and enrollment path for NHSSCA's High School Strength Coach Certification.
Coach perspectives are summarized from the testimonials published on the NHSSCA HSSCC webpage. The featured excerpt is a shortened direct quotation.
HSSCC / CERTIFICATION STATUS & LEARNER ASSISTANCE
EARN IT. MAINTAIN IT.
KNOW WHERE TO TURN.
Understand how your earned credential stays active, the support available during and after HSSCC, and how your feedback helps NHSSCA strengthen future learning experiences.
YOUR CERTIFICATION TERM.
Once you successfully earn HSSCC, your credential has a standard three-year term. That term is separate from the 12 months allowed to complete your initial coursework and assessments.
Active NHSSCA membership is required to keep your HSSCC certification active. If membership lapses, your credential becomes inactive until membership is restored and any other applicable requirements are satisfied.
KEEP YOUR CREDENTIAL CURRENT.
At the end of the three-year term, recertification involves active eligible NHSSCA membership, applicable continuing education documentation, and a $150 recertification fee separate from membership dues. The initial HSSCC test is not retaken.
NHSSCA’s published continuing education framework outlines 60 contact hours across the certification cycle and is under review during the IACET accreditation process.
Explore the full framework: The next section explains the six activity categories, sample hour distributions, documentation guidance, and intended transition arrangements for existing credential holders.
SEE CONTINUING EDUCATION & RECERTIFICATION →03 / SUPPORT BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE COURSE
YOU'RE NOT LEARNING ALONE.
From registration questions to learning-platform access, NHSSCA Administrative Services is the central starting point for assistance. You can also use available learning resources and community support while enrolled.
Enrollment & Administrative Help
For membership, registration, billing, certification documentation, or program questions, contact info@nhssca.us.
Access & Technical Assistance
For login difficulties, course navigation, accessing learning materials, or progress tracking, contact NHSSCA Administrative Services and describe the issue and device/browser used.
Learning Resources & Coach Community
Enrolled learners can use available NHSSCA Knowledge Base guidance and instructional tutorials. Access to the private HSSCC coach community depends on applicable group and membership permissions; contact Administrative Services if you have questions about access.
04 / AFTER HSSCC COMPLETION
SUPPORT DOESN'T END AT COMPLETION.
Finishing your required coursework and assessments does not mean the conversation ends. NHSSCA provides avenues for follow-up support and invites learners to help improve the experience for future coaches.
Ongoing Resources & Questions
Learners retain access to applicable NHSSCA community groups, the Knowledge Base, and established support channels for follow-up questions, clarification of course content, and help with certification documentation. Community and resource access remain subject to applicable account, group, and membership permissions.
Your Feedback Drives Improvement
Following the learning event, NHSSCA invites learners to provide feedback about the educational experience and support services. NHSSCA leadership and Administrative Services review learner feedback to identify improvements to future learning events, learner assistance, and resources.
Need clarification after completing HSSCC? Contact info@nhssca.us. Continued access does not extend the initial 12-month completion deadline or the term of an earned credential.
05 / QUICK ANSWERS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
How long do I have to complete HSSCC?
The typical completion time is approximately 3–4 months. Learners have up to 12 months from enrollment to complete the required coursework and assessments. The completion window is separate from the three-year term of an earned certification.
How long does my HSSCC certification remain valid?
HSSCC has a standard three-year certification term beginning when the credential is awarded. Active NHSSCA membership is required for the certification to remain active. See the next section for recertification and transition information.
Must I keep my NHSSCA membership active after earning HSSCC?
Yes. You must maintain active NHSSCA membership to keep your HSSCC certification active. If membership expires, certification becomes inactive until you renew membership and satisfy any other applicable conditions. Membership renewal does not reset or extend the original certification term.
How do I maintain or renew my certification?
Maintain active NHSSCA membership throughout your certification term. At recertification, submit the applicable continuing education documentation and pay the $150 recertification fee, separate from membership dues. You do not retake the original certification test. Review the continuing education and recertification framework below.
Where can I get help with enrollment or course access?
Email info@nhssca.us for registration, membership, billing, sign-in, technical, course-navigation, or certification-documentation questions. Include a brief description of the issue, and your device/browser if the problem is technical.
What support is available after I complete HSSCC?
Eligible learners can continue using applicable NHSSCA community groups, Knowledge Base resources, and established support channels for follow-up questions, content clarification, and certification documentation. Access to specific resources may depend on account, group, or active membership permissions. NHSSCA also invites post-course feedback to help improve future learning experiences.
Does continued access to materials extend my completion deadline?
No. Any continued access to learning materials is separate from the 12-month deadline for completing initial certification requirements, and it does not automatically extend the term of an earned credential. Contact Administrative Services for account-specific access information.
HAVE THE INFORMATION YOU NEED?
TAKE THE NEXT STEP.
HSSCC / CONTINUING EDUCATION & RECERTIFICATION
YOUR CERTIFICATION.
YOUR CONTINUED GROWTH.
Earning the HSSCC is a professional milestone. Keeping it active means maintaining NHSSCA membership, continuing your development, and documenting the learning and service that strengthen your work with high school athletes.
3 YEARSStandard certification term
60 HOURSPublished continuing education framework
4 OF 6Minimum activity categories in the framework
$150Recertification fee; membership dues separate
Framework status: NHSSCA’s published HSSCC continuing education structure outlines 60 contact hours over a three-year cycle. Its category rules, credit acceptance, documentation procedures, and implementation arrangements are under review as part of NHSSCA’s IACET accreditation process. The details below describe that framework; they do not represent a claim that NHSSCA has received IACET accreditation or that individual activities have already been approved for credit.
01 / SIX WAYS TO KEEP LEARNING
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH TAKES MANY FORMS.
The framework recognizes professional learning across six categories. Its proposed allocation rules call for 60 total contact hours across at least four categories, with 10–20 hours credited per selected category, subject to finalized activity and documentation policies.
NHSSCA Online Coursework
Online courses and qualifying educational experiences offered by NHSSCA.
Conferences, Clinics & Family Days
Professional conference and clinic participation, including NHSSCA events and Coaching Corners.
Teaching & Coaching Activities
Qualifying educational appointments, coaching responsibilities, and instructional work.
Professional & Scholarly Development
Publications, presentations, workshops, and professional education collaborations.
Outside Professional Education
Qualifying activities through external professional organizations and education providers.
NHSSCA Volunteer Work
Eligible association service, committee involvement, and documented volunteer contributions.
02 / AN ILLUSTRATIVE DISTRIBUTION
ONE WAY TO REACH 60 HOURS.
A balanced example spreads development across four categories, with 15 hours in each. Other combinations are possible within the framework’s category limits.
Illustrative four-category total60 HOURS
This illustrates the published working structure; actual credit depends on NHSSCA’s finalized rules and verification of submitted activities.
03 / KEEP YOUR EVIDENCE ORGANIZED
DOCUMENT AS YOU GO.
Maintaining records throughout your certification term is easier than reconstructing three years of activity near renewal.
- 1Record each activity. Capture the activity title, provider, category, date, and contact hours claimed.
- 2Save supporting documents. Retain course certificates, attendance records, agendas, teaching or coaching verification, presentation materials, or volunteer confirmations as applicable.
- 3Organize by category. Store evidence in a clearly labeled folder or activity log and update it regularly.
- 4Submit when directed. Follow NHSSCA’s announced recertification and review procedures; recorded hours are subject to acceptance.
Important: Holding a coaching position or attending an event does not, by itself, establish how many contact hours NHSSCA will accept. Activity eligibility and verification rules must be satisfied.
04 / THE RENEWAL PROCESS
MAINTAIN MEMBERSHIP. DOCUMENT LEARNING. RENEW.
RECERTIFICATION DOES NOT REQUIRE RETAKING THE ORIGINAL TEST.
HSSCC recertification involves maintaining or restoring eligible NHSSCA membership, submitting applicable continuing education documentation, and paying the recertification fee. The original HSSCC certification examination is not repeated as part of the described renewal pathway.
Membership matters throughout the term: If NHSSCA membership lapses, HSSCC certification becomes inactive until membership is restored and any other applicable conditions are met. Renewing membership does not reset the original certification expiration date.
$150HSSCC recertification fee
Annual membership dues are additional
Annual membership dues are additional
05 / TRANSITION FOR EXISTING CREDENTIAL HOLDERS
HOW WILL IACET ACCREDITATION AFFECT MY RENEWAL DATE?
NHSSCA is planning a one-year recertification transition period measured from the date accreditation is granted for eligible existing HSSCC credential holders. The precise eligibility rules, deadlines, required documentation, and treatment of certification status during the transition will be announced when finalized. Active NHSSCA membership remains required to maintain active credential status. No accreditation award or transition effective date is implied by this description.
NHSSCA HSSCC / YOUR NEXT STEP
READY TO LEAD?
GET HSSCC CERTIFIED.
Invest in education built for the realities of high school strength and conditioning. Choose the membership that fits your professional stage, enroll in HSSCC, and work toward certification on your schedule.
HSSCC Certification Enrollment
$199
HSSCC enrollment fee · NHSSCA annual membership dues are separate.
- Available to eligible Professional and Student Members
- 12 instructional units of high-school-focused education
- Online, self-paced learning
- 12 months from enrollment to complete course requirements
- Three-year credential validity after successful certification
How to Get Started
ONE CLEAR PATH.
THREE SIMPLE STEPS.
Already a Professional or Student Member? Sign in and continue to HSSCC enrollment. New to NHSSCA? Choose your eligible membership first.
01
Confirm Your Membership
Current Professional and verified Student Members are eligible to enroll. Standard Membership does not qualify.
02
Enroll in HSSCC
Review the certification product and complete your $199 enrollment purchase once the checkout price matches the published fee.
03
Explore NHSSCA Membership →
Learn. Apply. Complete.
Work through lessons, quizzes, case studies, and required assessments within 12 months of enrollment.
ENROLLING A STAFF? HAVE A QUESTION?
Ask NHSSCA Administrative Services about eligibility, payment, enrollment access, or staff-package options.