USA Triathlon's Coaching Certification

The sport of triathlon is growing rapidly in popularity and participation in the United States, resulting in an increased need for triathlon coaches. USA Triathlon (USAT), the national governing body for triathlon, educates and certifies triathlon coaches. Three levels of USAT coaching certification are available, with continuing education and recertification requirements for all certified coaches.

  1. Benefits of Certification

    • As the leading triathlon governing authority in the United States, USAT's certification provides triathlon coaches with increased credibility, marketability, networking opportunities and other benefits. USAT-certified coaches get access to coaching liability insurance, authorized use of the USAT Certified Coach logo, listings in the USAT Certified Coach Directory and a subscription to USAT's Performance Coaching Newsletter. Certified coaches also receive discounts on continuing education courses and certain USAT products and services.

    Level I Certification

    • Level I certification is available to current USAT members who pay for and attend a two-and-a-half-day Level I USAT Coaching Certification Clinic, which are offered throughout the year at locations across the United States. Candidates are required to pass a criminal background check before attending the clinic. Within three months of the clinic, candidates must complete and return a take-home examination and a signed U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Coaching Ethics Code. Applicants must also obtain adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. If a passing grade is earned on the exam and all other requirements are met, certificates are generally given within one month.

    Level II Certification

    • After a minimum of two years of Level I coaching experience, coaches are eligible to pursue Level II certification. In addition to attending a Level II USAT clinic and passing written and oral examinations, candidates must demonstrate service to the sport of triathlon and advanced training, such as a bachelor's degree in a sports-related field or additional triathlon certifications. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation and a current athlete training plan. A criminal background check and CPR certification are also required.

    Level III Certification

    • Level III certification is available to coaches who have at least one year of Level II coaching and can demonstrate success in coaching elite athletes. Candidates must attend a Level III USAT clinic, complete the USAT Elite Mentorship Program and hold an additional triathlon-related certification. Also required are letters of recommendation, CPR certification, automated external defibrillator (AED) certification and a criminal background check.

    Recertification

    • To maintain certification, all USAT-certified coaches must recertify every two years. All coaches must submit a completed recertification form for their current coaching level, a signed USOC Coaching Ethics Code, a recertification fee and a criminal background check. In addition, coaches must demonstrate service to the sport of triathlon, such as organizing races or clinics, supporting youth athletes, scholarly research, volunteer service or other approved activities. Coaches must also earn continued education units (CEUs) as dictated by their certification level. CEUs are earned through such activities as USAT seminars, symposiums and courses, as well as non-USAT training and certification. Level III coaches must fulfill additional recertification requirements. New certificates are generally received within six to eight weeks of successful completion of the recertification packet.