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 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 (required for 2012 recertifications and later)
• Service to the Sport Documentation
• Continuing Education Units (please see below)
• Current USAT Annual Membership
• $95 Recertification Fee
• Signed Ethics Code Agreement (USOC Coaching Ethics Code)

Level III Additional Recertification Requirements

 Youth and Junior Coaching Recertification Requirements

Recertifications must be completed online.  Paper submissions are no longer accepted. Please follow these instructions on how to complete the online recertification. Coaches should receive a new certificate within 4-6 weeks of submission.

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).

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.

USAT CEU Opportunities

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

Non-USAT CEU Opportunities

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.

Please note that the CEU opportunities listed below are not exclusive. They are simply the most common CEUs earned by coaches. If you have are taking course that you would like to see listed, please email the suggestion to the Coaching Certification Coordinator.

**Recertification of any of the below certifications is worth half of the original certification CEU value.

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

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 purchase retake the coaching certification exam (I, II or III, depending on the coach's level) and pay a $100 exam processing 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 retake the Level I, II or III Clinic and corresponding exam to be reinstated as current.

Example:

• Recertification Due: 12/31/11 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time
• Materials Submitted by 12/31/11 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time: Current Through 12/31/13
• Materials Submitted on 1/1/12 at 12:00 AM Mountain Time - 3/31/12 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time: $95 Recertification Fee, $50 Late Fee Required; Current Through 12/31/13
• Materials Submitted on 4/1/12 at 12:00 AM Mountain Time through 12/31/12 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 12/31/13 
• Materials Submitted on 1/1/13 at 12:00 AM Mountain Time or later: Coach must retake the Level I, II or III clinic and exam to be reinstated as current.