What does it mean to be a certified athletic administrator?

Certification means different things to different people. For some, it is an opportunity to help advance your career. For others, it satisfies continuing education requirements or helps facilitate an advance in salary. Yet for others, it may simply be an internal desire or motivation for achievement…a chance to lead by example as you build your career and establish a presence in your profession. Certification should be included in any plan for self-improvement as an athletic administrator.

Professional Certification

Professional certification in Nevada and throughout the country can be attained through the NIAAA at four levels. These are:

• REGISTERED ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR (RAA)

• REGISTERED MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR (RMSAA)

• CERTIFIED ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR (CAA)

• CERTIFIED MASTER ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR (CMAA)

The NIAAA Certification Program is a voluntary professional service to athletic administrators with various levels of experience. An athletic administrator may earn certification as a Registered Athletic Administer (RAA), Registered Middle School Athletic Administrator (RMSAA), Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) and/or Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA). Less experienced athletic administrators, and /or master coaches may choose to make themselves more, marketable with the RAA/RMSAA designation. More experienced athletic administrators may wish to earn the designation of CAA by combining the NIAAA Leadership Training with professional growth opportunities and services. Finally, through additional leadership training coursework, education, experience, and leadership as well as the development of school/community-based programs, an athletic administrator may qualify to attain the designation of CMAA. It is important to note that the certification is for individuals only and according to the NIAAA “does not imply that an association, school, or school district is certified”.

The implementation of four levels of NIAAA certification affords every athletic administrator a ‘Blueprint” for achieving professional growth through a systematic, progressive process of developmental experiences.  The following coursework is required to obtain certification at each level:

• RAA:  LTC 501, 502, 503

• RMSAA:  LTC 501, 502, 503, 504, 700, 701

• CAA:  LTC 501, 502, 503, 504, 506 and passing of CAA Exam

• CMAA:  CAA designation plus LTC 508, 510, one 600 level course, one 700 level course, 3 additional elective courses, and submission of a project or oral presentation.

  Additional information on the entire NIAAA certification program and the process for applying. https://niaaa.org/how-to-get-certified

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kalei Namohala at: - or - Rob Araki at: