A USA Triathlon Coach Certification is valid for two (2) years. In order to maintain your USA Triathlon Coach Certification, you must recertify at the end of that two-year time frame. With coaching science, technology and best practices constantly evolving, coaches who wish to stay current on best coaching practices find great value in staying informed on the latest information and expertise within the triathlon industry. Continuing education and Specializations are some of the many benefits to recertifying.
USA Triathlon’s coach recertification process consists of completing the specified requirements outlined below as well as submitting a recertification application.
It is highly recommended that coaches begin working on their recertification requirements as soon as possible and submit their recertification application up to three months in advance. Waiting until the last minute to complete the recertification requirements can lead to an overwhelming workload and financial obligation for the coach.
For questions regarding coach recertification, please email coaching@usatriathlon.org.
The next deadline to recertify is Dec. 1! Recertification applications can be purchased on Triathlon Learning and are made available three (3) months prior to the recertification deadline.
Coaches are required to have an active annual USA Triathlon membership at all times. USA Triathlon recently launched new membership types. Membership can be purchased with your application or directly from your membership account. We are only offering Silver Membership with recertification. If you want a different type of annual membership, that will need to be purchased directly from your membership account. Please note that any membership purchased with your the application will not get updated until your recertification has been processed.
- $95 – Recertification Application
- USA Triathlon Membership can be purchased through the Membership Hub
The Recertification Application fee is non-refundable.
CEU Requirement
List of CEUsCoaches must have obtained at least 12 CEUs within their two-year recertification cycle.
- At least eight must be USAT CEUs (courses run by or affiliated with USA Triathlon).
Coaches are responsibile for tracking their own CEU credits and maintaining a record of all CEU documentation for all courses you complete.
Annual SafeSport Training
More on SafeSport RequirementsSafeSport Training is an annual training and is only good for one year. Your SafeSport Training must be kept current at all times. There is no grace period; USAT Coach Certification is not valid if your SafeSport Training lapses or expires. A coach does not have USAT coach insurance coverage if his/her coach certification is not valid.
NCSI Background Check
MORE INFORMATIONUSA Triathlon Certified Coaches must maintain a current "Green Light (Clear)" background check at all times. Background checks are performed by the National Center for Safety Initiatives (“NCSI”).
Find more on Background Screen Requirements here.
Coaching Ethics Code Agreement
The USOPC’s Coaching Ethics Code offers coaches a sound, values-based reference to guide their actions. This code is intended to provide both general principles and decision-making guidelines to cover most situations encountered by coaches. The code’s primary goal is the welfare and protection of individuals and groups with whom coaches work. This code also provides a common set of values upon which coaches should base any decisions in their professional work.
For recertification, coaches will digitally sign the USOPC's Coaching Ethics Code Agreement within the recertification application.
Continuing Education
View Courses, opens in a new tabContinuing education does NOT include the daily activities of a coach or while performing the daily duties of another profession such as attending training, leading training rides, meeting with athletes, creating courses, coaching in a daily training environment, running or coaching at a camp or clinic, teaching, etc.
For a list of currently available CEU Courses, vist TriathlonLearning
Continuing Education Units (CEU) are authentic learning activities under direction of the USA Triathlon education department and personnel. These learning activities are designed to ensure USA Triathlon Certified Coaches keep their knowledge of industry trends, technology, and triathlon regulations relevant. CEUs are crucial for professional coaches to stay up to date with the most relevant triathlon coaching education as well as ensure each coach is well-rounded.
Continuing education does NOT include the daily activities of a coach or while performing the daily duties of another profession such as attending training, leading training rides, meeting with athletes, creating courses, coaching in a daily training environment, running or coaching at a camp or clinic, teaching, etc.
All USA Triathlon Certified Coaches are required to earn a minimum of 12 USAT CEUs to maintain their professional coach certification during each two-year cycle:
- 8 USAT CEUs
- 4 CEUs from any category: USAT, Adjuct or Institutional (can use multiple categories)
It is the responsibility of each certified coach to maintain a record and documentation for all completed CEUs.
These educational opportunities are provided directly under direction of the USA Triathlon education department and personnel. A minimum of 8 CEUs must come from this category. However, a coach can get 12 or more CEUs from this category if they so choose.
For a list of currently available CEUs, vist TriathlonLearning
These educational opportunities are pre-approved courses provided by a USA Triathlon Level II or higher coach in good standing. These courses allow coaches to earn a predetermined number of Adjunct CEUs (see below for more information).
Become an Adjunct CEU Provider
The purpose of the Adjunct CEU Provider for USA Triathlon Program is to make additional educational opportunities available to USAT Certified Coaches. While USAT does offer its own educational opportunities, it is understood that these opportunities may not meet the preferences of all USAT Certified Coaches. Therefore, USAT offers external organizations that provide quality education the opportunity to provide Adjunct CEUs for the completion of their course.
Benefits of becoming an Adjunct CEU for USA Triathlon Provider include:
- Increased visibility to a wide range of professional triathlon coaches.
- Getting your course USAT Adjunct CEU approved signifies that your course meets USA Triathlon’s standards for continuing education.
- After review, your course will be awarded a specific number of CEUs that can be used to promote your educational offering.
- USAT will promote your course by listing it on our website and grant the use of the USAT CEU logo in advertisements, promotions, and other marketing materials.
- Examples or this type of CEU include asynchronous virtual, synchronous virtual, or in-person courses that are authentic educational opportunities relevant to the sport of triathlon.
- Provider requirements are as follows:
- A course curriculum including course title, course type, hours of instruction, learning objectives, units and topics of instruction, methods of instruction, and assessment techniques.
- All coaches who will be providing instruction as part of the course must be a Certified Level II, or higher, USA Triathlon Coach in good standing.
- A coaching resume must be submitted for all coaches who will be providing instruction as part of the course.
USAT reserves the right to approve or deny CEUs for any reason at any time. Providers are prohibited from promoting USAT Adjunct CEU approval for their course(s) until an approval notification from USAT has been received.
Institutional CEU value is based upon relevancy to triathlon coaching and is assigned by USA Triathlon and USA Triathlon only. Continuing education does NOT include the daily activities of a coach such as attending training, leading training rides, meeting with athletes, etc. Coaches are responsible for tracking their CEUs, getting courses accepted for Institutional CEUs, and recording CEUs in their recertification application. USA Triathlon reserves the right to assign or deny a CEU value to institutional educational activities.
USA Triathlon education is focused on the collaborative effort to bring relevant and critical education opportunities to USA Triathlon coaches, athletes and race directors. We seek out organizations that we know will make our coaches stronger. If you have an organization that you recommend, please reach out to USAT staff directly at coaching@usatriathlon.org so we can connect with them. This includes:
- Relevant university level education courses.
- Sport science organizations/certifications.
- Relevant providers of nutrition and mental health courses.
All coaches requesting a lapsed recertification must complete all formal recertification requirements and pay a recertification fee:
Requirements
- Complete 12 CEUs
- Pay the $95 Recertification Fee
- Pay the $50 Late Fee
Requirements
- Please contact our Education Manager to discuss the coach’s background, current skill set, and the reason their Coaching Certification has been inactive for more than two years.