Certified coaches must recertify every two years in order to remain informed on the latest knowledge and expertise and to provide service and support for developing USA Triathlon coaching programs and triathlon in general. Recertification also provides an accountability for maintenance of the coaching certification.
USA Triathlon Certified Coaches must submit their recertification packets by their certification expiration date. Coaches who do not submit recertification materials by their expiration date are not eligible for recertification under the normal recertification policy. Please see the bottom of this page for the late recertification policies. If you have any questions regarding the recertification policy, please contact the Coaching Certification Coordinator.
In order to recertify, coaches must complete:
- Online Background Check (policies and criteria)
- Respect in Sport and Activity Leader Program (2.5 USAT CEUs)
- Service to the Sport Documentation
- Continuing Education Units (please see below)
- Current USAT Annual Membership
- In-Person CPR
- $95 Recertification Fee
- Signed Ethics Code Agreement
Recertifications must be completed online through USAT University. Paper submissions are not accepted.
Level I Recertification Process Directions
Level II Recertification Process Directions
Level III Recertification Process Directions
Youth & Junior Recertification Process Directions
Recertifications are due December 31st at 11:59 PM Mountain Time in order to be considered on time (1:59 AM Eastern Time, 12:59 AM Central Time, 10:59 PM Pacific Time). Coaches receive a new certificate within 4-6 weeks of submission.
Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Policy
Level I Certified Coaches must earn 15 CEUs for recertification during their 2 year certification period. Level II and Level III Certified Coaches must earn 20 CEUs during their 2 year certification period for recertification. Five (5) of these CEUs must come from a USAT course (USAT CEUs) as found on the CEU Schedule. Please note that the Respect in Sport program grants 2.5 USAT CEUs.
Any additional CEUs earned cannot be carried over to a future recertification.
Click here to view additional opportunities for USAT CEUs.
Credit for non-USAT courses are awarded 1 non-USAT CEU per contact hour, with a maximum of 5 non-USAT CEUs per course. For example:
1 Hour Non-USAT Course = 1 Non-USAT CEU
2 Hour Non-USAT Course = 2 Non-USAT CEUs
3 Hour Non-USAT Course = 3 Non-USAT CEUs
4 Hour Non-USAT Course = 4 Non-USAT CEUs
5 Hour (or longer) Non-USAT Course = 5 Non-USAT CEUs
There are some exceptions for certifications worth more CEUs that are listed below. Recertification of any certification is worth half the CEUs of the original certification.
Click here to view the list of sample non-USAT courses.Level III Coach Requirements
All Level III coaches must select three of the following six options for recertication:
- Present a Webinar (unpaid)
- Contribute a Newsletter Article for Performance Coaching (unpaid)
- Host a CEU Clinic (paid)
- Present at a Coaching Clinic (paid)
- Help with a Junior Camp or Clinic (paid or unpaid)
- Propose Your Own (must be approved by the Coach Development Manager)
These requirements are in addition to the recertification requirements listed for all coaches. Coaches must select three different options.
Youth and Junior Coach Certification
$25 to renew the Youth and Junior certification in addition to the $95 recertification fee to renew Level I, II or III certification.
Youth & Junior Specific Service to the Sport Requirements
Each coach is required to satisfy their Level I, II or III recertification requirements in addition to the below service to the sport requirements for the Youth and Junior certification. The Level I, II or III recertification must be submitted and accepted before the Youth and Junior can be accepted. These requirements can also be used to fulfill the Level I, II or III service to the sport recertification requirements.
Coaches must select three of the below options to satisfy their Youth and Junior coaching recertification service to the sport:
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Coach or present at a USA Triathlon recognized youth or junior camp, clinic or coaching program (may be paid).
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Present or help with a school based triathlon related educational program.
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Contribute a youth or junior related article to a scholarly publication (research, academic publication or coaching article publication).
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Host a USAT sanctioned youth/junior triathlon race/camp/clinic.
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Present Youth/Junior related presentation at coaching clinic, club presentation, webinar, conference, etc.
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Volunteer at a youth/junior triathlon race/camp/clinic
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Contribute a Newsletter Article (Youth/Junior related) for Performance Coaching or USA Triathlon Life magazine (unpaid)
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Manage a USAT official youth/junior club or High Performance Team
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Participate in other programs as pre-approved by the Coaching Education staff. Activities are evaluated by USA Triathlon, and written documentation must be provided.
Coaches must complete their Level I, II or III recertification prior to the Youth & Junior recertification. Please click here for instructions on how to complete the online recertification process.
Late Recertification Policy
Recertification Submitted January 1 - March 31: A $50 late fee is required (in addition to $95 recertification fee and recertification requirements fulfilled) to be reinstated as current.
Recertification Submitted April 1 - December 31: Coach must pass the coaching certification exam (I, II or III, depending on the coach's level) and pay a $100 exam retake fee. The certification exam retake is in addition to the regular recertification requirements. The $50 late fee is required as well.
Recertification Submitted after December 31: Coach must pass the Multisport Education Program to be reinstated as current. The program is in addition to the regular recertification requirements. The $50 late fee is required as well. The Multisport Education Program does not fulfill the USAT CEU requirement for recertification.
Example:
- Recertification Due: 12/31/12 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time
- Materials Submitted by 12/31/12 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time: Current Through 12/31/14
- Materials Submitted on 1/1/13 at 12:00 AM Mountain Time - 3/31/13 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time: $95 Recertification Fee, $50 Late Fee Required; Current Through 12/31/14
- Materials Submitted on 4/1/13 at 12:00 AM Mountain Time through 12/31/13 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time: $95 Recertification Fee, $50 Late Fee, Level I, II or III Exam Required with $100 Exam Processing Fee; Current Through 12/31/14
- Materials Submitted on 1/1/14 at 12:00 AM Mountain Time or later: Multisport Education Program, $95 Recertification Fee, $50 Late Fee; Current Through 12/31/14
