Mandatory Requirements & Training for Coach Members

(as of September 1, 2022)

ATHLETE PROTECTION TRAINING (APT) COURSE

You are required to take the course(s) within the "Athlete Protection Training" Certification provided by the U.S. Center for Safe Sport. Access to the course(s) can be located in your USA Swimming account under EDUCATION in the navigation menu.

The courses are offered at no charge through the USA Swimming University.  

Year 1: SafeSport Trained; 

Year 2: Refresher Course 1

Year 3: Refresher Course 2

Year 4: Refresher Course 3 

Year 5: SafeSport Trained, and repeat.

Once you have completed these courses, your membership record will update with a new APT expiration date within 24 hours. Your APT will expire 12 months from the date you completed the certificate.

New members will be required to have their USA Swimming Online Member Registration and payment processed before they can access and complete the APT course.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

To be completed by all adult non-athlete members every two years. ($39 for new members, $18 for renewals). 

Access to the background check link can be found in your USA Swimming account under EDUCATION in the navigation menu.

Once completed, your membership record will update with a new Background Check expiration date.

USADA COACH'S ADVANTAGE TUTORIAL (CAT) COURSE

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) provides required education for coaches available in the USA Swimming University. All USA Swimming member coaches must complete the "USADA Coach's Advantage Tutorial" annually. The course is offered at no charge.

Once you have completed the course and quiz, your membership record will update with a new expiration date within 24 hours. Your certificate will expire 12 months from the date you completed the certificate.

Your USADA course credentials must be renewed annually.

CONCUSSION PROTOCOL TRAINING (CPT) COURSE

State law requires that any nonprofit organization that organizes a youth athletic activity for which a fee is charged, must require all participating coaches and officials to receive online training consistent with the Concussion in Youth Sports online training program available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site. See more information (including the statute) here.

Training Resources:

Concussion Training (CDC)

or

Concussion Training (NFHS)

After completing the Concussion Protocal Training course, send the completion certifcate to the LSC registrar so your membership credentials can be updated.

SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES (STSC) -  ONLINE _^AND IN-WATER

The STSC requirement consists of two components:

1.  Complete the ARC Safety Training for Swim Coaches Online Content Only course. You can enroll in this online-only course at www.redcross.org/takeaclass. 

• Scroll down and Safety Training for Swim Coaches Online Content Only appears. 
• Click on Sign Me Up.
• Follow the steps of creating an account and complete payment.
• Complete the online course and test
• Print/save the course completion certificate with the QR code on it (not the test score results).
• Email a copy of your STSC Online Content Only Certificate to the LSC registration chair.  

2.  Complete an in-water STSC skills session.  There are three options for completing the in-water skills session. 

• Option 1: Print the generic STSC In-Water Skills Checklist (available HERE) and review the skills with an instructor certified by one of the organizations on the checklist;
• Option 2: Maintain a valid lifeguard certification from an approved agency (list of approved agencies provided HERE)
• Option 3: Take the full in-water skills session from an American Red Cross instructor.

After completing the skills session, email your valid lifeguarding certificate or the completed STSC In Water Skills Checklist to the LSC registrar so your membership credentials can be updated.

Your STSC credentials will be valid for two years from the date of completion.

CPR/ AED CERTIFICATION

Obtain USA Swimming-approved adult & pediatric CPR/AED certification (must maintain a current certification at all times) 

The following list of CPR/AED courses have been approved by the USA Swimming Operational Risk Committee. Certifications from courses not on this list will not be accepted.  Online-only courses are not accepted.  

After completing the approved CPR/ AED course, send the completed certificate to the LSC registrar so your membership credentials can be updated

COACH EDUCATION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 

NEW COACH MEMBERS are required to take the two (2) USA Swimming Starting Block courses.

• Welcome to USA Swimming
• The Quality Coaching Framework (QCF)

These courses are provided at no cost and MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR to being on the pool deck.

Access to the course(s) can be located in your USA Swimming account under EDUCATION in the navigation menu. Once you have completed the courses and quizzes, your membership record will  update automatically. 

Before a coach's second year registration, the coach is required to complete the Core Certification. 

The Core Certification is comprised of five (5) modules. 

Core Module 1:  The Qualities of an Effective Coach

Core Module 2:  Foundations for Developing Athletes

Core Module 3:  Furthering Athlete Development

Core Module 4:  Evaluating Your Season

Core Module 5:  Your Professional Journey

The modules are self-paced, and you are welcome to stop and start as your schedule allows. The modules do cost $15 each or $50 for all five. Be sure to complete the survey at the end of each module quiz in order to received credit for completing the course.

ALL CURRENT AND PREVIOUS COACH MEMBERS must take The Quality Coaching Framework.

This course only needs to be taken once. The deadline to complete this course has been extended until September 1st, 2024.  

Access to the course(s) can be located in your USA Swimming account under EDUCATION in the navigation menu. Once you have completed the courses and quizzes, your membership transcript will

update automatically.  

Additionally, coaches are recommended to take and complete the ADM Age Group or ADM Senior certifications.

COACH EDUCATION CERTIFICATION FLOW CHART

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR COACHES COURSE

Rules and Regulations for Coaches course is required.

Coaches can take the course and open note test any time prior to the 2nd year of registration. A current rulebook is the required resource. Use either a current hard copy of the rulebook or the online version.

This course is provided at no cost and must be completed prior to the second year of registration. 

Access to the course(s) can be located in your USA Swimming account under EDUCATION in the navigation menu. Once you have completed the course and quiz, your membership transcript will update automatically.