Coaching Recertification

 

CLICK  HERE TO SEE THE CURRENT RECERTIFICATION POLICY WHICH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008.

 

2009 Recertification Policy

Effective January 1, 2009 the new USA Triathlon coaching re-certification policy will take effect. Please look at the Continuing Education policy as this is where the greatest change has occurred. USAT Certified Coaches MUST submit their re-certification packets by their certification expiration date. Failure to do so will result in having to retake the course. A request for an extension must be submitted in writing to the Coaching Certification Coordinator prior to their expiration date.

Coaches who do not submit re-certification materials by their expiration date may not be eligible for re-certification under the normal re-certification policy. If you have any questions regarding the re-certification policy, please contact the Coaching Certification Coordinator at (719) 597-9090 x111.

 

 

USAT COACHING RE-CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS  

Purpose

 

• To continually update the knowledge and expertise of USAT certified coaches.
• To maintain reasonable assurance that criminal behavior has not occurred.
• To provide accountability for maintenance of required certification.
• To provide service and support for developing USAT Coaching programs and triathlon in general.
• Completion of USAT Coaching Re-certification Requirements 

Re-certification packets must contain the following:

 

• Recertification form and $95 recertification fee
• Online background check (please provide applicant ID number) as defined below
• A copy of your current CPR certification
• Documentation of service to the sport of triathlon as defined below
• 15 hours of Continuing Education Units (5 of which must come from a USAT approved course found on the CEU schedule) as defined below

***Please note the $95 fee includes triathlon coaching liability insurance, subscription to the USA Triathlon Performance Coaching Newsletter, ability to post your information on the Find a Coach portion of the website, access to the USAT Coaches Yahoo discussion group, and the benefits of the USAT Certified Coaches Sponsorships***

  

Email or mail the completed packet (with ALL paperwork included) to:

 

USAT Coaching Education

Attn: Coaching Certification Coordinator

1365 Garden of the Gods Rd., Suite 250

Colorado Springs, CO80907

 

Please Note:

FAXED RE-CERTIFICATION PACKETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

 

 

Note: Coaches completing a new, higher-level USAT certification (Level II or Level III) are automatically renewed for the next two year period as a result of completing the new certification. Coaches MUST be current in their Level I certification in order to attend a Level II or Level III clinic. 

 

Online Background Check , Service to the Sport, and Continuing Education Units definitions:

 

Online background check:

Coaches must complete a background check prior to sending their re-certification packet, and one background check must be completed during each recertification process.

• Costs may vary from state to state (costs may range from $20 to as much as $72 and more). These costs are set by the state and not USAT.
• International 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. USAT WILL NOT ACCEPT BACKGROUND CHECKS FROM OTHER AGENCIES, LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, ETC…
• USAT and USAC 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 USAT to see the results. You do not need to complete an additional background check.

 

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. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting youth through coaching, clinics, or race organization.
• Coaching or presenting at a USAT recognized camp, clinic or coaching program (may be paid).
• School day educational programs or presentations.
• Local, regional or national USAT coaching positions (may be paid).
• Triathlon related scholarly contributions (research, academic publication or coaching article publication).
• Governance positions within USAT such as the NCC and/or Executive Board or its committees.
• Other programs as pre-approved by USAT. Activities will be evaluated by USAT, and written documentation must be provided.
• Writing articles for the USAT Coaching Performance Newsletter, Triathlon Life Magazine or other publications

 

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Policy

Coaches must acquire a minimum of 15 hours of CEU’s within the two year period of their current coaching certification. USAT has established the following Continuing Education policy:

 

1. At least 5 of the 15 required CEU’s must come from a USAT approved course as found on the CEU schedule on the USAT website.
2. Credit for USAT approved courses will be awarded 1 CEU per contact hour with a maximum of 10 CEU’s per course. For example, a 5 hour USAT approved course is worth 5 CEU’s, and a 14 hour USAT approved course is worth 10 CEU’s. USAT Art and Science of Triathlon will be the only approved event worth the full 15 CEU's.
3. Credit for non USAT approved courses will be awarded 1 CEU per contact hour, with a maximum of 4 CEU’s per non-approved course, regardless of the course length. For example, a 3 hour non-approved course is worth 3 CEU’s, and an 8 hour non-approved course is worth 4 CEU’s.
4. The following coaching or exercise leadership certifications earned during the two year period of USAT coaching certification are worth 10 CEU’s:

·         American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise Leadership or Health Fitness Instructor

·         National Strength and Conditioning Association – Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) or Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

·         American Sport Effectiveness Program (ASEP)

·         American Red Cross (ARC) Water Safety Instructor

·         NASM Certified Personal Trainer

·         USA Cycling Level 1-3 coaching certification

·         USA Swimming coaching certification

·         USA Track & Field Level 1-3 coaching certification.    

 

5. CEU’s will be given for formal higher education courses completed at an accredited, two or four year college or university during the two-year period of coaching certification. 4 CEU’s will be provided for each academic credit earned with a maximum of 10 CEU’s per course, i.e. 1 credit hour earns 4 CEU’s, 2 credit hours earns 8 CEU’s, and 3 credit hours earns 10 CEU’s. The content of such courses can some from a wide variety of areas such as: exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, behavior facilitation, nutrition, motor learning, or HPER classes such as swimming, cycling or running. Contact USAT for approval of other courses.

         Documentation must consist of official or unofficial transcripts showing a passing grade for the course(s) along with a catalog course description.

 

 

6. Continuing education credits from other organizations will be accepted using the following equvalancy scale:
   • .1 CEC (approved or non-approved) = 1 USAT CEU
   • .3 CEC (approved or non-approved) = 3 USAT CEU’s
   • .8 CEC (non-approved course) = 4 USAT CEU’s
   • .8 CEC (USAT approved course) = 8 USAT CEU’s
   • 1.2 CEC (USAT approved course) = 10 USAT CEU’s

***It is the responsibility of each coach to obtain the proper documentation showing attendance in the course they wish to be considered as part of the recertification packet.***

 

 

  

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