Certification Levels

Currently, there are over 1,600 USA Triathlon Certified Coaches residing throughout the United States and internationally. USA Triathlon’s Coaching Certification Program receives requests for program information from American and international coaching organizations and National Governing Bodies interested in pursuing coaching certification and athlete development.

LEVEL I

In order to be eligible for certification, candidates must complete the following:

Before USA Triathlon Certified Coach Certificates are sent to certification candidates, the above requirements must be met. It is highly recommended that candidates make plans to obtain or review required items prior to the clinic.

CPR Certification
American Red Cross or The American Heart Association certifications are preferred for first time certification. AED certifications are not required, but are highly recommended.

Coaching Educational Clinic
The 2.5 day educational clinic requirement is met by attending a USA Triathlon Coaching Certification Clinic hosted by USA Triathlon. Click here for a sample clinic schedule. This sample schedule will give you an idea of the topics covered. Do not make flight arrangements based off these times. Use the times provided for the particular clinic you have registered for when making travel plans.
 
Written Examination
On the final day of the clinic, attendees are given a take-home exam. The exam is to be completed by the specified deadline and sent back to the USA Triathlon National Office for evaluation. The exam includes multiple choice and short answer questions. Exam materials must be submitted within 3 months of the clinic date in order to become certified. Failure to submit materials by the deadline results in the participant becoming ineligible for certification. Exact dates are given at each clinic.
 
Signed USOC Coaching Ethics Code
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Coaching Ethics Code will be distributed and discussed at the Coaching Certification Clinic. USA Triathlon certified coaches must sign and return the USOC Coaching Ethics Code.
 
Criminal History Check
Coaching certification candidates must pass a criminal history check by going through the background check application. The fee is $20 for most U.S. citizens. (Please note that some states charge more and international background checks will cost more and vary by country), only Visa and MC are accepted.

Once you register for the clinic, you will be sent instructions on how to complete the background check. Your background check must be completed and passed before the clinic starts or you will not be able to attend the clinic.

If you are concerned about your background and want to ensure that it will be accepted before you register for a clinic, please email loryn.cozzi@usatriathlon.org for instructions.

USAT's Background Check Policy:
Any person who has plead guilty or been convicted of a felony is not eligible to be certified as a USA Triathlon coach, except at the discretion of the USAT Hearings & Appeals Committee, it is determined that the felony did not arise out of an act or omission that presented a danger to others, the applicant's self, and/or property.

Clinic Fee
The fee is $525, which includes a clinic manual, a subscription to USA Triathlon Performance Coaching Newsletter, coaches liability coverage, access to the USAT Coaches Yahoo discussion group, and access to the Certified Coaches sponsorships. The clinic fee does not include any travel or lodging expenses.

Level I Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

See the schedule of upcoming clinics.

LEVEL II

The focus of the LII clinic is on developing Junior and ITU  level athletes. A major portion of the clinic is spent on group work and demonstration of coaching skills. In order to be eligible for certification, candidates must complete the following:

  • Current USAT Membership
  • Current USAT Level I Coaching Certification 
  • USA Triathlon Level II Clinic
  • Pass Written and Oral Examinations
  • Current CPR Certification
  • USOC Coaching Ethics Code
  • Online Background Check
  • The applicant must have a minimum of two years triathlon coaching experience following USAT Level I Certification.
  • The applicant must have one of the following: 
        1. BA or BS degree in sport science or related field (preferred)
    OR 
        2. Certifications with relevance to triathlon such as ACSM, USA Cycling Level I or II, USA   Swimming/ASCA, USATF, NSCA or NASM.
  • The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of periodization and planning by submitting an ATP of a current athlete.
  • The applicant must explain the status of an athlete, state two to three objectives for that athlete, explain what was done as a coach to address those objectives, and explain the results that were accomplished with that athlete.
  • The applicant must have a letter of recommendation from an athlete and a mentor coach.
  • The applicant must have annual service to USA Triathlon or educational contributions to the sport of triathlon, (i.e. service during a USA Triathlon camp or clinic, contributions to the USA Triathlon Coaching Certification Program or various related USAT programs).

See the schedule of upcoming clinics.

LEVEL III

In order to be eligible for certification, candidates must complete the following:

  • Current USAT Membership
  • The applicant must be a current USAT Level II Coach in good standing for at least 12 months prior to the LIII clinic.
  • The applicant must have completed the USAT Elite Mentorship Program between January 1, 2007 and the current application deadline.
  • The applicant must have documentation the he/she has been the primary coach of an athlete(s) at the highest level of competition within their division based on the following criteria:  
    •  Elite National Team, Project 2012 Team, Project 2016 Team, Top 15 finish at U23 World Championships, Top 15 finish at Junior World Championships. Coaching an athlete that is ranked in the top 75 of the ITU rankings by the end of the previous year would also qualify. Coaching yourself does not qualify.
  • The applicant must demonstrate that he/she has developed the athlete to the above mentioned level.
  • The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of progression by stating two to three objectives for an elite athlete, explaining what you did as a coach to address those objectives, and explaining the results that were accomplished with that athlete.
  • The applicant must submit an ATP based on a standard provided form of one elite level athlete that he/she directly coaches as part of the application process within 7 days upon acceptance into the clinic. This will be reviewed by USAT Sport Performance staff within 2 weeks and sent back to the applicant with suggestions.
  • The applicant must submit one letter of recommendation from a mentor coach and one letter of recommendation from an athlete.
  • The applicant must hold at least one additional current certification from the following sport organizations: USA Cycling Level I or Level II, USA Swimming/American Swimming Coaches Association, USA Track and Field, American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, or NASM.
  • Current CPR/AED Certification
  • Online Background Check

A USAT Level III Coach understands and applies the following concepts while working with athletes:  

  • Advanced periodization and planning including program implementation, progression, lab and field testing and recovery methods.
  • Swim stroke analysis, run gait analysis, bike fit and analysis
  • Functional strength training and dynamic warmup
  • Advanced nutritional and mental skills strategies
  • ITU qualifications and rules
  • Race strategies

See the schedule of upcoming clinics.