Becoming a USA Cycling Certified Coach is an exciting opportunity to grow your expertise, develop athletes, and contribute to the sport at a higher level. Whether you're new to coaching or looking to advance your credentials, this guide will walk you through the steps to get started with USA Cycling’s Coaching Certification and License Renewal Program.
The first step in becoming a certified coach is earning your Level 3 Certified Coach License. This is the introductory level of the program and provides the foundational knowledge needed to coach athletes safely and effectively.
To earn your Level 3 License, you must:
- Complete the Level 3 Coaching Course – This online course takes approximately 6-7 hours to complete and covers coaching basics, athlete safety, and best practices.
- Pass a background check – All USA Cycling coaches are required to pass a National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) background check, valid for two years.
- Complete SafeSport Training – USA Cycling requires annual SafeSport training, which is free for members.
- Complete the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s Coaching Advantage Tutorial – This ensures all coaches understand anti-doping policies in sport.
Access the course through the USA Cycling Learning Management System (LMS) at https://learn.usacycling.org.
Once you complete your Level 3 Certification, you gain access to valuable coaching benefits, including:
- Liability Insurance – Ability to purchase insurance coverage through USA Cycling’s partners.
- Continuing Education – Eligibility to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and advance your coaching level.
- Pathway to Level 2 Certification – Start working toward your Level 2 Intermediate Certified Coach License to gain specialized coaching knowledge.
To maintain and renew your certification, coaches must complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs) each year. CEUs can be earned through USA Cycling-approved courses, events, and mentorship programs.
Annual CEU Requirements:
- Level 3 Coaches: Earn 10 CEUs per year (5 from USA Cycling, 5 from approved third-party providers).
- Level 2 Coaches: Earn 10 CEUs per year (5 from USA Cycling, 5 from approved third-party providers).
- Level 1 Coaches: Earn 15 CEUs per year with additional mentorship requirements.
Once you’ve completed one year as a Level 3 Certified Coach, you can apply for Level 2 Certification by:
- Completing three Specialization Certificates in key coaching areas.
- Completing Level 2 Intermediate Certification.
- Advancing 1 athlete to any national championship.
- Continuing SafeSport certification and maintaining a valid background check.
To reach Level 1 Advanced Certified Coach, you’ll need:
- Three Advanced Specialization Certificates.
- The Advanced Certification Course.
- Experience coaching athletes at a high level, including advancing athletes to UCI-ranked races or national podiums.
To be a great coach, continuous learning is key. USA Cycling provides specialization certificates to help you focus on areas like:
- Athlete Management & Development
- Programming & Training Design
- Physiology of Training
- Business Skills
Coaches can also attend live coaching events like Coffee Chats—interactive monthly sessions where industry experts discuss key coaching topics.
Getting started as a USA Cycling coach is an exciting journey that allows you to impact the sport and develop athletes at all levels. By following these steps, maintaining your certification, and taking advantage of professional development opportunities, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a top-tier cycling coach.
Ready to begin? Start your coaching journey today at https://usacycling.org/coaches.
