Coaching Recertification Policy and Requirements

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 will not be 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 at (719) 955-2826.

2009 Recertification Requirements

If you hold a coaching certification that expired December 31, 2009, and still plan to recertify, you must adhere to the Recertification Policies that were in place in 2009. You must also follow the late recertification policies at the bottom of this page.

Recertification Packets must include:

• Recertification Form
• $95 Recertification Fee & Late Fees (see below) 
• Online Background Check
• Current CPR Certification (no CEUs given for CPR)
• Documentation of Service to the Sport of Triathlon
• 15 hours of Continuing Education Units, 5 of which must come from a USA Triathlon course found on the CEU Schedule

• Current USAT Membership Number

2010 Recertification Requirements

If you hold a Level I, II or III coaching certification that expires December 31, 2010, and plan to recertify, you have the option of following the 2009 Recertification Policies or the 2011 Recertification Policies listed below. Coaches must choose one policy or the other; the policies cannot be combined.

 2011 Recertification Requirements

The following recertification policies are effective January 1, 2011:

Recertification Packets must include:

• Level I Recertification Form, Level II Recertification Form or Level III Recertification Form (please only submit a form for your current level)
• Online Background Check
• Service to the Sport of Triathlon Documentation
• Continuing Education Units (5 must come from a USAT course found on the CEU Schedule)
• Current USAT Membership Number
• Recertification Fee

Level III Additional Recertification Requirements

Effective January 1, 2011, all Level III coaches must select 3 of the following 6 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 3 different options.

Online Background Check

Coaches must complete a background check prior to sending their recertification packet. 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 USA Triathlon 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.

• Please note that costs vary from state to state. These costs are set by the state and not USAT.
• International background checks cost as much as $195 or more, and vary from country to country.
• You must use the National Center for Safety Initiatives to complete your background check. USA Triathlon will not accept background checks from other agencies, local police departments, etc.
• USA Triathlon and USA Cycling use the same company for background checks. If you have completed a background check for USAC you must log-in to the Safety Initiatives website using USAT log-in information and enable USA Triathlon to see the results. In order for USAT to be able to view your determination, please follow these steps:
  • Log onto http://www.ncsisafe.com/
  • Enter USAT self Registration # 53247331
  • Answer "no" to is this your first background check with NCSI 

  • Search for your information

Service to the Sport

Coaches must submit documentation of service to the sport of triathlon that has occurred within the two year period of current certification. You may write a summary of how you gave back to the sport. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Supporting youth through coaching, clinics, or race organization.
• Coaching or presenting at a USA Triathlon recognized camp, clinic or coaching program (may be paid).
• Participating in school day educational programs or presentations.
• Holding local, regional or national USA Triathlon coaching positions (may be paid).
• Contributing triathlon related scholarly publications (research, academic publication or coaching article publication).
• Holding governance positions within USA Triathlon such as the NCC and/or Executive Board or its committees.
• Putting on a triathlon race/camp/clinic.
• Speaking at triathlon-related lectures, conferences, etc.

• Participating in other programs as pre-approved by USA Triathlon. Activities will be evaluated by USA Triathlon, and written documentation must be provided.

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. Below are additional opportunities for USAT and Non-USAT CEUs.

Online Education Opportunities

USAT CEU Opportunities 

Please visit the Continuing Education Courses page for a complete list of USAT CEU courses.

Non-USAT CEU Opportunities

Credit for non-USAT courses will be 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

*Please note coaches cannot receive credit for both an online and in-person CPR class.

**The content of such courses can come from a wide variety of areas such as: exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, behavior facilitation, nutrition, motor learning, or HPER classes (swimming, biking running). Please contact the Coaching Certification Coordinator for approval of other courses.

***Coaches should receive a new certificate within 6-8 weeks***

Mail the completed packet (with all paperwork included) to:
USA Triathlon
Attn: Coaching Certification Coordinator
1365 Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 250
Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Please do not fax or e-mail recertification materials.

Coaches completing a new, higher-level USA Triathlon coaching certification (Level II or Level III) are automatically renewed as a result of completing the new certification.

Late Recertification Policy

Completed Packets Postmarked 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.

Completed Packets Postmarked April 1 - December 31: Coach must purchase the Art & Science DVD and complete all of the exams (in addition to $95 recertification fee, $50 late fee and recertification requirements fulfilled) to be reinstated as current. If the coach has already purchased the DVD and taken the exam in the past for CEU credit, the coach will be required to retake the coaching certification exam (I, II or III, depending on the coach's level) and pay a $200 exam processing fee.

Completed Packets Postmarked after December 31: Coach must retake the Level I, II or III Clinic and corresponding exam to be reinstated as current.

Example:

• Recertification Due: 12/31/10
• Materials Complete/Postmarked by 12/31/10: Current Through 12/31/12
• Materials Complete/Postmarked on 1/1/11 - 3/31/11: $95 Recertification Fee, $50 Late Fee Required; Current Through 12/31/12  
• Materials Complete/Postmarked on 4/1/11 through 12/31/11: $95 Recertification Fee, $50 Late Fee, A&S DVD/Exam Required (or Level I, II or III exam if necessary); Current Through 12/31/12  
• Materials Complete/Postmarked 1/1/12 or later: Coach must retake the Level I, II or III Clinic and Exam to be reinstated as current.