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Background Screening/Safe Sport

PVAHA Instructions for Background Screening

Effective April 1, 2020, all USA Hockey background screens will be performed as part of a USA Hockey national screening program. Local USA Hockey Affiliates will no longer conduct background screens. Background screens will be completed as part of the USA Hockey registration process for the 2020–2021 season. 

If you were screened after April 1, 2019, for the 2019–2020 season your screen is valid for the 2020–2021 season, and you will not need to be screened under the new system until the 2021–2022 season.  If your most recent screen was prior to April 1, 2019, you will need to be screened under the new USA Hockey screening program after April 1, 2020 in order to participate during the 2020–2021 season. 

Background screens will be conducted through NCSI and will cost $30 for domestic screens. For international screens (members who have lived outside of the U.S. for six consecutive months in any one country during the past 7 years) the flat rate is $150. If the country is solely Canada, the flat rate is $75. 

Background screens are required for all coaches, officials, board members, employees, volunteers, billets and anyone who will have regular contact with, or authority over minor athletes. This screen must be completed prior to having any contact with minor athletes.


Safe Sport Program

USA Hockey implemented the United States Olympic Committee’s Safe Sport Program at the start of the 2013–2014 season, This program is intended to protect participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of abuse and misconduct.

PVAHA requires its member local association programs and all member coaches, volunteers and employees to comply with the Safe Sport Program standards. The USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook is available by clicking USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook below.

Safe Sport questions may be directed to PVAHA’s Affiliate Safe Sport Coordinator, Dr. Keith Williams

Background screening is an important element of the Safe Sport Program. As stated in greater detail in the USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook each coach, volunteer or employee who has regular, routine or frequent access to youth participants must have a background screening completed. A background screen is valid for two seasons, and all previously screened individuals must be rescreened every two seasons. 

USA Hockey Safe Sport Program

Please check frequently for updates.

Dr. Keith Williams

Affiliate Safe Sport Coordinator