Football Helmet Certification & Reconditioning Directory
Helping athletes, parents, coaches, and programs find professional helmet reconditioning and recertification providers across the United States.
Football helmets take a beating throughout a season. Practices, games, sweat, impacts, weather, transportation, and normal wear can affect components over time.
That is why proper inspection, reconditioning, and recertification are an important part of football equipment maintenance.
This directory was created to help athletes, parents, coaches, equipment managers, schools, clubs, and youth football organizations find professional helmet reconditioning and recertification providers across the United States.
The companies listed below are current members of the National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA). NAERA states that its members are licensed by NOCSAE to recertify athletic equipment.
Nationwide NOCSAE-Licensed Reconditioner Directory
Provider licensing status, services, addresses, phone numbers, and policies can change. Always confirm details directly with the provider before sending equipment.
| Company | Location | Website | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Helmet Reconditioning | Lufkin, Texas | helmetrecon.com | (936) 858-9990 |
| Athletic Helmet Reconditioning Southeast | Tuscumbia, Alabama | helmetrecon.com | (256) 627-4787 |
| Capitol Varsity Sports | Oxford, Ohio | capitolvarsity.com | (513) 523-4126 |
| Continental Athletic Supply | Gridley, California | continentalathletic.com | (530) 846-4711 • (800) 544-5564 |
| Dip Fusion | Rigby / Lewisville, Idaho | dipfusion.com | (208) 534-5221 |
| Harco Reconditioners | Fort Collins, Colorado | harcoathletic.com | (970) 482-1814 |
| Integrity Sport Services | Wadsworth, Ohio | integritysportservices.com | (330) 485-3105 |
| Mercury Sports | Evansville, Indiana | mercurysportsllc.com | (812) 422-9066 |
| Schutt Sports | Salem, Illinois | schuttsports.com | (800) 426-9784 |
| Sportsman’s Reconditioning | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | teamsportsmans.com | (814) 536-5318 |
| Stadium System, Inc. | Canaan, Connecticut | stadium-system.com | (860) 824-5479 |
| USA Reconditioning | Egg Harbor City, New Jersey | usareconditioning.com | (973) 340-8282 |
Don’t see a provider in your state? Many reconditioning companies accept equipment by mail and service teams, athletes, and organizations nationwide. Contact the provider directly before shipping to confirm that they service your helmet brand and model.
What Is Football Helmet Recertification?
Recertification is the process of retesting previously certified athletic equipment to determine whether it continues to meet the applicable NOCSAE performance standard.
A helmet does not simply get cleaned and receive a new sticker.
Qualified reconditioners inspect the equipment, perform the required reconditioning work, conduct testing according to applicable standards, and apply updated recertification labeling when the helmet remains eligible.
What Is Helmet Reconditioning?
Reconditioning and recertification are related, but they are not the same thing.
Reconditioning generally includes:
A helmet can also be rejected if damage, age, condition, parts availability, manufacturer restrictions, or other issues prevent it from being properly recertified.
How Often Should a Football Helmet Be Recertified?
There is not one universal recertification schedule for every football helmet.
The required interval depends primarily on the helmet manufacturer’s instructions.
Parents, athletes, and teams should check:
- The helmet manufacturer
- The helmet model
- Date of manufacture
- Most recent recertification date
- Manufacturer-required recertification interval
The important point is that recertification frequency is based on time elapsed, not simply how many games or practices the helmet was used for. That means a helmet sitting in storage for a season may still reach its required recertification date.
Should I Recertify My Helmet Every Year?
Annual inspection is a good equipment-management practice, but whether formal recertification is required every year depends on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Some manufacturers or programs may call for annual service, while other helmet models may have a different permitted interval.
NOCSAE recommends that football helmets manufactured before January 2017 undergo annual recertification before use.
When in doubt, check the manufacturer’s instructions or contact a licensed reconditioner.
What About the 10-Year Rule?
You may have heard that football helmets cannot be recertified after 10 years. There is an important distinction.
The commonly referenced 10-year limit is a NAERA policy, not a NOCSAE rule. NAERA states that its members will not recondition or recertify helmets that are 10 years old or older.
Manufacturers may also have their own age restrictions, model restrictions, or useful-life requirements.
Because of this, never assume that a helmet is eligible simply because it is under 10 years old.
What Happens During Recertification?
Here is what to expect from identification through receiving your helmet back.
-
Step 1
Identify Your Helmet
Find the manufacturer, model, size, manufacturing date, and any previous recertification label before contacting a provider. This information helps the reconditioner confirm eligibility.
-
Step 2
Select a Licensed Reconditioner
Choose a provider experienced with your helmet manufacturer and model. Ask whether they accept individual helmets, team or league orders, and mail-in service. Confirm that they service your specific brand and model.
-
Step 3
Send or Drop Off the Helmet
Follow the provider’s instructions carefully. Remove personal items unless the company tells you otherwise, and clearly identify the player’s name and contact information on or with the helmet.
-
Step 4
Helmet Inspection
The helmet is inspected for cracks, structural damage, worn padding, damaged liners, missing hardware, improper components, facemask damage, alterations, and age or model eligibility.
-
Step 5
Reconditioning
Eligible helmets are cleaned, sanitized, repaired as permitted, and restored using appropriate components and procedures.
-
Step 6
Testing
NOCSAE’s recertification process includes testing of statistically selected helmet samples before and after reconditioning using specialized equipment.
-
Step 7
Recertification Label
When the helmet completes the required process, it receives updated recertification labeling identifying the reconditioning facility and year of recertification. A helmet that does not pass is rejected and returned or disposed of per the provider’s procedures.
Turnaround time: NOCSAE notes that the reconditioning and recertification process at NAERA facilities averages six weeks or more, although actual turnaround varies by provider and season. Teams are encouraged to send helmets for service immediately after the season ends rather than waiting until summer practices begin.
How Do I Know When My Helmet Was Last Recertified?
Look inside the helmet for a dated recertification label. The label typically identifies the recertification year and the reconditioning/recertification facility. There may also be an exterior label indicating that the helmet has been recertified according to procedures established to meet the NOCSAE standard.
If you cannot determine the helmet’s manufacturing date or recertification history, contact the manufacturer or a licensed reconditioner before using it.
When Should a Helmet Be Inspected Immediately?
Do not wait for the regular reconditioning cycle if you notice a potential problem. Have the helmet evaluated if you see:
If there is any question about a helmet’s condition, stop using it and have a qualified professional inspect it.
Can I Paint or Modify My Own Football Helmet?
Be careful. Football helmet shells are engineered systems, and manufacturers have specific requirements regarding paint, chemicals, adhesives, drilling, hardware, padding, facemasks, and accessories.
Improper modification can affect the helmet, void warranties, or make it ineligible for recertification.
Before painting, drilling, altering, or installing non-standard components, check with the helmet manufacturer or a licensed reconditioner.
Parents: 5 Questions to Ask Before Your Athlete Takes the Field
Ask These Before Every Season
- When was this helmet manufactured?
- When was it last reconditioned and recertified?
- What recertification schedule does the manufacturer require?
- Does the helmet fit the athlete correctly?
- Has the helmet been inspected for damage before this season?
A recertification label is important, but proper fit, maintenance, inspection, and use remain essential.
Coaches & Equipment Managers
Build helmet maintenance into your annual equipment program. Keep records for every helmet in your inventory.
This helps programs identify helmets that require service before equipment is issued to athletes.
Important NOCSAE Terminology
NOCSAE does not certify reconditioning companies. Reconditioners and recertifiers performing NOCSAE recertification operate pursuant to a license agreement with NOCSAE and must comply with applicable NOCSAE recertification standards.
For this reason, this directory uses the term:
NOCSAE-Licensed Reconditioner / Recertifier
rather than:
NOCSAE-Certified Company
⚠ Safety & Verification Notice
This directory is provided as an informational resource for athletes, parents, coaches, schools, leagues, and athletic organizations. Provider licensing status, services, helmet eligibility, manufacturer requirements, addresses, phone numbers, and operating policies can change.
Before sending equipment:
- Confirm the provider’s current NOCSAE licensing status.
- Verify that the provider accepts your helmet manufacturer and model.
- Confirm the manufacturer’s current recertification requirements.
- Ask about costs and turnaround times.
- Confirm shipping and return procedures.
When there is any question about the safety or eligibility of a football helmet, contact the helmet manufacturer or an appropriately licensed athletic equipment reconditioner before the helmet is used.
Arizona Boosters Foundation Supports Teams Beyond the Field.
ABF connects Arizona youth and high school sports programs with gear discounts, equipment partners, fundraising support, meal prep, and more. If your team needs resources, reach out.
Tell Us About Your Team or Organization
Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, partner, or community leader — share a few details and we'll point you to the right next step.