Recertification
Recertification Overview
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 exploring a new area of focus 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.
Recertification Protocols for 2025 Recertification
USA Triathlon has updated its CEU policy effective for coaches recertifying in 2025 and beyond. Anyone recertifying in 2023 or 2024 should follow the process outlined below.
Recertification Process
Recertification applications can be purchased on Triathlon Learning and are made available three (3) months prior to the recertification deadline.
Recertification Application Fee
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 (choose this if you’re a Lifetime Member, an Elite Athlete, an official, if your USAT Silver Membership is valid through 06/30/2026 or later, or you have a membership type other than silver)
- $155 – Recertification Application + 1-Year Silver Membership (choose this if your USAT Silver Membership is currently valid between 06/30/2025 – 06/29/2026)
- $215 – Recertification Application + 2-Year Silver Membership (choose this if your USAT Silver Membership is currently expired or valid until 06/29/2025)
The Recertification Application fee is non-refundable.
June 30, 2024 Recertification Application
This Recertification Application is ONLY for coaches with the recertification date of June 30, 2024.
Recertification Requirements
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.
Area of Focus
More InformationAll new USA Triathlon Certified Coaches, certified after January 1, 2021, are required to complete one Area of Focus for recertification (within 24 months of their initial certification). The first area of focus course will not gain a coach any Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
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
Background Check Policy (PDF), opens in a new tabUSA 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”).
Background checks are valid for two years from the determination date (the date the screen was passed).Your background check must be kept current at all times. There is no grace period; USAT Coach Certification is not valid if your background check lapses or expires. A coach does not have USAT coach insurance coverage if his/her coach certification is not valid.
USA Cycling background checks also acceptable. Email PDF Report to coaching@usatriathlon.org.
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.
List of CEUs
The following courses provide CEUs toward recertification. This list is not comprehensive. Email coaching@usatriathlon.org for questions or CEU approval. CEUs must be earned within the current recertification cycle (2 year period).
Areas of Focus
Area of Focus courses are a single day coaching course that diving dive deeper into one of four core areas:
- Short Course
- Long Course
- Youth and Junior
- Paratriathlon
All USA Triathlon Certified Coaches certified after January 1, 2021 are required to complete one Area of Focus for recertification within 24 months of their initial certification. The first area of focus course will not gain a coach any CEUs, but any additional area of focus course will be worth five CEUs. If you choose to take an additional area of focus, the course will be worth 5 USAT CEUs.
Did you certifiy before 2021?
All current USA Triathlon Certified Coaches who certified prior to January 1, 2021, were defaulted to the Level I Short Course Area of Focus. Coaches who meet this qualification do not need to take an Area of Focus for 2021 recertification. However, if you do take an Area of Focus, you will earn five USAT CEUs.
Areas of Focus will also be used as a prerequisite for advancement in the coaching pathway. For example, if a coach wanted to take a Level II Short Course Certification, I they would need to have taken the Short Course Area of Focus from Level I. All courses will build upon each other moving forward.
Upcoming Area of Focus Courses
Coaches who certified prior to January 1, 2021 and are interested in receiving the Long Course delineation must enroll and complete the Level I Long Course Area of Focus at a cost of $150. Coaches who complete this course will earn five USAT CEUs, develop core long course skills that will be built upon in each stage of our certification program (ex: LI to LII), and gain insights into applying a skills-based curriculum to their coaching practice.
Coaches who certified prior to January 1, 2021, and their coach certification has lapsed are required to take an Area of Focus as part of the Late Recertification Policy. Note: CEUs are not awarded for taking an Area of Focus for late recertification.
Late Recertification Policy
If a coach is more than 30 days late submitting their application, they will be charged a $50 late fee.
Lapsed Recertification Requirements
All coaches requesting a lapsed recertification must complete all formal recertification requirements and pay a recertification fee: