Click here to view the CalVECHS & CPR/AED Webinar from October 19, 2026
California has adopted new requirements designed to improve preparedness for sudden cardiac emergencies in youth sports.
Assembly Bill 310, the Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act, establishes new requirements for youth sports organizations related to CPR/AED certification, cardiac emergency response planning, and access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
These requirements will be implemented in two stages:
Youth sports organizations must:
CPR/AED training may be completed online or in person, provided the training meets the applicable requirements under California law.
Youth sports organizations must ensure their athletes have access to an AED during every official practice or match.
Organizations must also ensure their AEDs are properly maintained and tested according to manufacturer requirements and applicable law.
Cal North's goal is to make this new requirement as simple, affordable, and manageable as possible for our Member Organizations, coaches, and volunteers.
For CPR/AED certification, Cal North recommends the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) CPR & AED Training course, which will be available to coaches for $10. We believe this represents an extremely affordable option compared with many other CPR/AED certification programs and provides coaches with a convenient online pathway for completing the requirement.
However, coaches are not required to use NFHS or complete their CPR/AED certification through Cal North. Coaches may use another accredited CPR/AED training provider that satisfies the applicable requirements.
Coaches choosing the NFHS option can access the course here:
NFHS CPR & AED Training Course
Once training is completed, the coach will receive a certificate and upload it into GotSport for review and approval by their Club Registrar.
There are two important implementation dates.
Beginning January 1, 2027, youth sports organizations must ensure their coaches are certified in CPR and AED operation and recertified at least every two years. Organizations must also maintain a written cardiac emergency response plan.
Beginning January 1, 2028, youth sports organizations must ensure athletes have access to an AED during every official practice or match.
These are separate requirements with separate implementation dates.
Beginning January 1, 2027, youth sports organizations must ensure their coaches are certified to perform CPR and operate an AED.
Cal North will incorporate CPR/AED certification into its coach registration and compliance process so Member Organizations can track completion through GotSport.
No.
Cal North does not require coaches to use a specific CPR/AED training provider.
Coaches may complete training through another accredited provider that satisfies the applicable California requirements. The resulting certificate can then be uploaded into GotSport and reviewed by the Member Organization's Registrar.
Cal North recommends the NFHS CPR & AED Training course as an affordable and convenient option for our coaches and Member Organizations.
The course will cost $10 per coach, providing our members with a low-cost option for meeting the new requirement.
Coaches choosing the NFHS course can register and complete the training online here:
Complete the NFHS CPR & AED Training Course
After completing the course, the coach will receive their certification documentation and can upload it into GotSport for approval.
Again, NFHS is recommended, not required. Coaches may submit qualifying certification from another accredited provider.
Our goal is to provide Member Organizations with a solution that is affordable, accessible, and easy to administer.
At $10 per coach, the NFHS course provides a very low-cost option compared with many other CPR/AED training programs.
The online format also makes it easier for volunteer coaches to complete the requirement without needing to attend a scheduled in-person class.
At the same time, we recognize that some coaches may already hold qualifying CPR/AED certifications through their employer, another sports organization, or another accredited training provider. Those coaches are not required to complete the NFHS course simply because they participate with Cal North.
Yes.
California law permits CPR/AED certification training to be conducted online or in person, provided the training satisfies the applicable requirements.
This is one reason Cal North recommends the NFHS online course as a convenient option for volunteer coaches.
You do not need to complete the NFHS course simply because it is Cal North's recommended option.
A coach who already holds a current CPR/AED certification from an accredited provider may upload that certification into GotSport for review.
The Club Registrar is responsible for reviewing the documentation and confirming that the submitted certification satisfies the applicable requirement.
Click here for a step by step walkthrough showing how a coach will submit their CPR/AED Requirement in GotSport for club administrator review/approval.
Click here for the Spanish Version of the step by step walkthrough
Once a coach completes their CPR/AED training, they will upload their certificate into the applicable CPR/AED requirement within their GotSport account.
This applies whether the coach completes the recommended NFHS course or another qualifying accredited CPR/AED course.
Once the certificate has been uploaded, the requirement will move into Pending status for review by the Club Registrar.
The Registrar will then review the certificate before approving the requirement.
Click here for a step by step Walkthrough that shows club Registrars/Administrators how to review and approve a coach's CPR/AED Certification in GotSport.
The Registrar should:
The Submission Date should reflect the date the coach actually completed the certification—not simply the date the document was uploaded into GotSport.
Entering the correct certification date is critical because the requirement will expire 24 months after the coach's certification date.
For purposes of this requirement, certification will operate on a rolling 24-month cycle based on the coach's actual certification/completion date.
For example, if a coach completes their CPR/AED certification on February 15, 2027, the requirement should reflect February 15, 2027 as the Submission Date and will remain valid through the applicable two-year certification period.
This is why Registrars must verify the date printed on the certificate rather than relying on the date the coach uploads the document.
Yes.
Cal North's GotSport workflow will be configured so coaches receive an automated notification after approximately 23 months, letting them know their CPR/AED requirement will expire in one month.
This gives the coach time to complete a new certification and upload it before the existing requirement expires.
Because certifications operate on a rolling basis, coaches will renew according to their own certification dates rather than everyone having to renew at the same time.
Beginning January 1, 2028, California law requires youth sports organizations to ensure athletes have access to an AED during official practices and matches.
That does not necessarily mean every individual soccer field must have its own permanently installed AED. However, an AED must be accessible to the athletes during the applicable activity.
If a facility already has an AED, organizations should determine its location, confirm that it will actually be accessible during practices and matches, and incorporate that information into their cardiac emergency response planning.
If an AED is not accessible at the facility, the organization will need to ensure appropriate AED access another way.
Cal North recommends that Member Organizations begin reviewing their facilities well before the January 1, 2028 implementation date.
Beginning January 1, 2027, youth sports organizations must maintain a written cardiac emergency response plan consistent with nationally recognized, evidence-based standards.
The plan addresses important elements such as:
Cal North has already developed a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan template that Member Organizations may adopt and customize for their own use (see the CTA above).
Each Member Organization should review and edit the template to reflect its individual circumstances, including the facilities it utilizes, AED locations and accessibility, emergency procedures, organizational policies, and assigned roles and responsibilities.
The template is intended to provide members with a strong starting point while allowing each organization to develop a plan specific to its operations and facilities.
California law provides certain Good Samaritan protections related to the good-faith emergency use of AEDs.
These protections should not be interpreted as blanket immunity from every potential claim. Member Organizations remain responsible for following applicable requirements related to AED access, maintenance, testing, emergency planning, and other obligations.
Clubs should also review their applicable insurance coverage and consult their insurance provider or legal counsel regarding organization-specific liability questions.
No.
The requirement concerns appropriate access to an AED, not purchasing a particular AED through Cal North.
Member Organizations should evaluate the facilities they use, determine what AED access already exists, and identify locations where additional access may be necessary.
Cal North will continue providing guidance and resources as the January 1, 2028 requirement approaches.
Need Additional AEDs?
If your organization determines that additional AEDs are needed, we recommend reaching out to local hospitals, healthcare providers, medical facilities, and physician offices to explore potential donation opportunities.
Be sure to highlight your organization’s nonprofit status, service to youth, and commitment to providing a safe environment for children in your community. Some healthcare organizations may be willing to donate AEDs or connect your organization with programs that provide them at reduced or no cost.
We have already seen Cal North Member Organizations successfully secure donated AEDs through local community partnerships, so we strongly encourage clubs to explore these opportunities before purchasing additional equipment.
The first deadline is January 1, 2027, so Member Organizations should begin preparing their coach certification and cardiac emergency response processes now.
Cal North recommends that clubs:
Cal North will continue providing additional resources and guidance as implementation approaches.
Cal North's goal is to make this transition as straightforward and affordable as possible while helping our Member Organizations create safer environments for players.
For questions regarding CPR/AED requirements, GotSport compliance, or implementation, please contact Cal North Member Services at memberservices@calnorth.org.
Member Organizations are also encouraged to review the legislation directly to better understand the requirements and implementation timelines. AB 310 establishes the January 1, 2027 requirements for coach CPR/AED certification and written cardiac emergency response plans, followed by the January 1, 2028 requirements for AED access, maintenance, and testing.
Legislative Resources:
California AB 310 – Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act (Chaptered Bill Text)
California Legislature – AB 310 Official Legislative Information
California Legislature - AB 387
Cal North continues to work hard for its members to ensure we do our best to keep costs low while
Cal North continues to work hard for its members to ensure we do our best to keep costs low while
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