USA Swimming - Becoming a Coach

LOOKING TO BECOME A COACH OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP?

To become a registered USA Swimming coach member, the coach must complete safety, education and background screening requirements, as well as be at least 18 years of age. USA Swimming recommends that a new coach register as a “coach member” prior to starting on the requirements. Contact your LSC Registration/Membership Chairperson for more information.

Please carefully read through ALL four requirement sections below.

Athlete Protection Training

Athlete Protection Education USA Swimming is committed to raising awareness about athlete protection and prevention of abuse in sport. We are proud to partner with Praesidium, an industry expert in abuse prevention, to bring the swimming community customized and comprehensive training tools for coaches, and volunteers.

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SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Prior to registering for the first year of coaching, a coach must present evidence of having completed and passed the following courses: CPR, First Aid, and Safety Training for Swim Coaches.

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BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT

Since 2007, all coaches are required to successfully complete a Background Check through the USA Swimming background check provider. It is the coach's responsibility to renew the background check every two years.

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Foundations of Coaching

Foundations 101 must be completed prior to registering for the first time as a coach member. The course and test takes approximately 90 minutes (Cost: $15). All material is contained within the online course.

Foundations 201 is a more comprehensive course of approximately 4 hours and must be successfully completed prior to registration for the 2nd year of coach membership (Cost $25/available June 3rd). All material is contained within the online course.

Rules and Regulations is a separate 30 question test completed on the USA Swimming website. Completing this test is the 2nd required component to fultill the Foundations 201 requirement (No cost). The Rules and Regulations test is based on the current USA Swimming Rulebook.

The DVD based online test is no longer available for new coaches.

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FOUNDATIONS OF COACHING DVD BASED TEST

Coaches registering in 2013 for their 2nd year of USA Swimming coach membership have the option of completing the Foundations of Coaching DVD based test OR completing Foundations of Coaching 101-201 and Rules and Regs for Coaches. USA Swimming encourages coaches to take the new online courses to complete the education requirements.The DVD based test will be deactivated at the end of the 2013 registration year and will no longer be available.