How to comply with the New Adult Athlete APT Requirements Q&A
USA Swimming athlete members who are 18 years of age and older are considered Adult Athletes and are subject to the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP).  Adult Athletes are also required to take and pass every 12 months the US Center for SafeSport’s free online Athlete Protection Training (APT).
ADULT ATHLETE APT CERTIFICATION (Component of MAAPP)
Effective June 23, all athlete members 18 years of age and older must satisfactorily complete the US Center for Safe Sport Athlete Protection Training Program every 12 months. Athletes who are not certified within 30 days after their 18th birthdays or do not renew their certification every 12 months will not be permitted to participate in USA Swimming activities like sanctioned swim meets and practices.
All USA Swimming members can use USA Swimming’s website and DECK PASS to prove and track APT compliance.
*Please note that this is the same Athlete Protection Training required of coaches and non-athlete members, NOT the SafeSport Training for Minor Athletes that is found on the USA Swimming SafeSport page.
Who is an Adult Athlete?
Any USA Swimming athlete member who is 18 years of age or older is an Adult Athlete.
When must Adult Athletes take the new Athlete Protection Training?
  • By June 23, 2019, all current Adult Athletes must complete the APT.
  • Beginning now, Adult Athletes must take the APT within 30 days of their 18th birthday.
  • Adult Athletes must renew their APT certification every 12 months to retain their USA Swimming membership and be eligible to compete in USA Swimming sanctioned meets and practice with USA Swimming clubs.
Where can Adult Athletes find the APT courses?
  • The US Center for SafeSport training can be found on the USA Swimming website at:https://www.usaswimming.org/APT
  • Adult Athletes should go to this page and follow the step-by-step instructions to access the APT modules on the USA Swimming LEARN site. This is the ONLY ACCESS point that ensures an Adult Athlete gets credit for completing the APT certification.
  • APT is linked to an athlete’s registration account and should update APT certification status in DECK PASS within 24 hours. Note, trainees must complete all three APT modules including the course evaluations and​ receive a “✓DONE” in each for their certification to be complete. Athletes will receive a congratulatory email when they are certified and should save a copy as proof.​
 
What happens if an Adult Athlete does not complete their APT certification by the deadline?
Adult Athletes who do not complete the APT within 30 days of their 18th birthdays (or by June 23 for a those who are already 18 or older) will be considered unregistered swimmers and will not be eligible for sanctioned competition or USA club practices and activities until the APT is completed. These unregistered swimmers will be flagged on the pre- meet recon report, in OME, and in your Club Portal on the USA Swimming website.
How are soon-to-be Adult Athletes being informed about APT now and in the future?
  • Adult Athletes are solely responsible for complying with all USA Swimming membership requirements.
  • Current USA Swimming athlete members will receive notification emails from USA Swimming 30 days before their 18th birthday, on their 18th birthday, and 30 days after their 18th birthday if they have failed to complete the APT.
Can 17-year-old athletes take the training early?
Yes! Athlete members can access the training at https://www.usaswimming.org/APT. The APT certification is valid for 12 MONTHS from the training completion date. Keep in mind that when athlete members reach the age of 18, they must always maintain valid APT certification while they are competing.
We recommend that 17-year-old athletes who will turn 18 within a season consider taking the training early so that they are covered for all meets in that season. Of course, they can wait until their 18th birthdays but must complete the APT within 30 days to be eligible for competition in sanctioned meets. To avoid registration issues, it is recommended that swimmers who will become Adult Athletes prior to the first day of a sanctioned meet complete the APT no later than the entry deadline.
Does this training requirement apply to NCAA athletes?
Maybe. NCAA athletes 18 and older who wish to join USA Swimming as Adult Athletes to compete in sanctioned meets and practice with USA clubs must complete and maintain APT certification.
The links below will link you to all the information you need to know about TVA's policy and USA Swimming.
 

Athlete Training Requirement

Minor Athlete Abuse Protection Policy

Athlete Protection Training

Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (Sep 2021)