Coaching
Start Coaching with help from USA Cycling
The USA Cycling Coaching Development and Education program educates and guides coaches in an effort to grow the sport, develop bike racers and ensure a healthy racing ecosystem.
Coaching Education and Development
Our Mission
To develop the sport of cycling in the United States at all levels and to achieve sustained international success.
Like you, we believe coaching is the key to unlocking the full potential of cycling. When you choose to participate in the USA Cycling Coaching Education and Development program, you are not only enhancing your skills but also creating a positive and impactful cycling experience for your athletes that will lead to lasting growth and success.
What does it mean to become a USA Cycling Coach?
By participating in the USA Cycling Coaching Education and Development Program, coaches can expect a to receive a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience designed to enhance their coaching skills and knowledge. The program offers a structured pathway through various certification levels, starting with foundational knowledge at Level 3 and progressing to advanced expertise at Level 1. Throughout the program, coaches will:
- Learn essential coaching techniques and how to apply them in real-world scenarios.
- Develop a deep understanding of exercise physiology, psychology, and communication skills to effectively guide athletes.
- Gain access to cutting-edge educational resources, including CEU courses, live events, and mentorship opportunities to ensure continuous professional development.
- Receive support and guidance through partnerships with Fast Talk Labs and other leading experts, helping coaches excel at each stage of their career.
Whether it's improving athlete performance, building a successful coaching business, or specializing in areas such as physiology or training plan design, the USA Cycling’s Coaching Education Program will equip coaches with a best in class education and experience.
Our certified coaches
Coaches nationwide certify with USA Cycling to deliver a high-quality, professional experience for their athletes and clients
Coaches can be filtered by level in the USA Cycling Coach Finder
When you become a certified coach with USA Cycling, you gain access to exclusive coaching resources, professional support, cycling-specific liability insurance, and guidance for developing your coaching business. Additionally, your athletes benefit from high-quality coaching that can help them progress and achieve their goals.
Partners
USA Cycling and Fast Talk Laboratories have announced a new partnership to improve cycling coach development and education. Through this partnership, all active USA Cycling licensed coaches get free access to Fast Talk Laboratories and its growing knowledge base that includes hundreds of how-to guides, articles, videos, and podcast episodes on training, coaching, sports nutrition, physiology, recovery, and sport psychology.
Featured in this library is “The Craft of Coaching with Joe Friel,” an all-new online learning experience from the world-recognized cycling and triathlon coach. In his new resource, Friel lays out the ultimate guide to becoming a better, more successful, and happier coach. Drawing from his 40-year career as the world’s most trusted personal cycling and triathlon coach, Friel shares the lessons he learned about athlete performance, the athlete-coach relationship, mastering the business side—and how to make coaching more rewarding.
Fast Talk Labs will host exclusive USA Cycling educational content, events, and video highlights from quarterly coaching summits. USA Cycling coaches gain access to networking events with experienced coaches, small group Q&A sessions with Joe Friel and other experts, and a coaches-only online Forum.
By this summer, coaches can earn USA Cycling recognized CEUs by completing Fast Talk Labs Pathways, a growing monthly series of deep explorations of specific endurance sports topics like interval training, performance data analysis, and sports nutrition.
A good coach can change everything. While most coaches recognize the key role they play in promoting youth development and social and emotional skills, they often don’t feel supported in doing so. This is a missed opportunity.
It’s time for big, bold action from across the youth sports sector. The first step: train one million coaches in youth development techniques by 2025 through the Million Coaches Challenge. Together, with support from the Susan Crown Exchange, we can build a future where our kids know how to work together, celebrate success, manage failure, and are equipped with the skills they need to thrive. Together, we are the Million Coaches Challenge.
Take the free training here.
Breakthrough TD1 (formerly JDRF) Coaches seeking to gain certification should contact the breakthrough TD1 team for next steps.
Log into learn.usacycling.org to view approved CEU courses
Becoming a cycling coach is an exciting and impactful journey, and certification is one of the most important steps to take. That’s why USA Cycling offers a comprehensive, best-in-class experience for coaches like you.
We’ll support you in every step of your coaching career — from building your foundational knowledge to developing advanced skills that empower your athletes to succeed on and off the bike.
Benefits of Certification with USA Cycling
Certification with USA Cycling shows that you adhere to national and international coaching standards, giving you credibility and trust among athletes, clients, teams, and clubs.
Certified coaches gain access to a wealth of resources, including cutting-edge coach development opportunities, continuing education specialization pathways, and tools to stay at the forefront of coaching science and athlete development.
USA Cycling certification opens doors for career growth by connecting you with a network of other certified professionals and opportunities to coach at higher levels, from local clubs to national teams.
As a certified coach, you’ll be equipped to design structured training programs tailored to athletes of all levels, helping them achieve their goals while promoting long-term health and performance.
USA Cycling coaches are eligible for exclusive insurance coverage, providing peace of mind and protection as you train and guide athletes.
USA Cycling provides ongoing support, mentorship, and opportunities for professional development, ensuring that you’re always growing and improving in your coaching journey.
Coach Advancement
Getting certified with USA Cycling provides you with expert guidance and resources to enhance your coaching skills every step of the way.
01Certify
The Level 1 Advanced Coach certification is for anyone interested in coaching cyclists.
- Login your USA Cycling LMS Account or Create an account
- Visit "Available courses" and select USA Cycling Level 3 > Login and enroll in the course.
- Follow the process and instructions as outlined in the course
- This course is housed at https://learn.usacycling.org/ our Learning Management System. Please bookmark this for an easy return to login and access your course.
- All requirements for the certification are linked through the course, including the required SafeSport Training and Background Checks
Once the course is complete, please follow the closing instructions on the short wait time before being able to pay for your new coaching certification.
Why Pursue Level 2 Intermediate Coaching Certification?
As a coach, you know that continuous learning is essential to staying at the top of your game. The Level 2 Coaching Certification offers you the opportunity to elevate your coaching skills, gain deeper knowledge, and position yourself as a leader in the cycling coaching community. Here’s why this certification is a game-changer for your career:
1. Advanced Expertise: This program takes your foundational knowledge to the next level with courses in advanced physiology, training principles, and coach-athlete relations. You’ll be equipped to work with a variety of athletes, helping them achieve their goals and elevate their performance.
2. Hands-On Application: Unlike other online programs, our Level 2 certification includes an in-person capstone clinic where you’ll apply your learning in real-world scenarios. This unique blend of online education and practical experience ensures that you’re not just learning theory—you’re actively developing and refining your coaching skills.
3. Business Growth: Coaching is not just about the athletes—it’s also about building a successful business. Our program provides you with the tools to expand your coaching practice, with courses in business development, digital marketing, and strategic growth. You’ll leave the program ready to attract more clients, increase your revenue, and scale your business.
4. Cutting-Edge Techniques: Stay ahead of the curve with the latest in training methodologies, cross-training strategies, and advanced recovery techniques. You’ll learn how to create innovative, individualized programs that set your athletes up for success—while positioning yourself as a cutting-edge coach in the cycling world.
5. Increased Credibility: Level 2 certification demonstrates your commitment to professional development and your dedication to becoming the best coach you can be. It sets you apart from the competition and earns you the trust and respect of athletes, peers, and the broader cycling community.
6. Network and Community: The program connects you with other top-tier coaches, creating a professional network that will support you throughout your career.
You’ll build relationships with like-minded professionals and become part of a community dedicated to advancing cycling coaching.
With the Level 2 Coaching Certification, you’re not just enhancing your skills—you’re transforming your coaching practice, growing your business, and making a lasting impact on your athletes’ lives. This certification is your next step toward excellence in coaching and long-term success in your career.
Clinic Costs vary on location. View our events calendar for a course near you.
The Level 3 Advanced certification will provide coaches with an opportunity to advance research and development in the world of cycling and bike racing.
This course will be conducted through the University of Delaware and will be opened annually for a select group of coach advancement applicants.
Course costs vary
View our events calendar for a course in 2025.
02Specialize
- ATHLETE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT: Focus on developing communication, leadership, and athlete relationship management, ensuring coaches can effectively guide and motivate cyclists.
- PROGRAMMING AND TRAINING DESIGN: Equip coaches with the tools to create structured, goal-oriented training plans that cater to athletes of all levels, from beginners to elite performers.
- PHYSIOLOGY OF TRAINING: Delve into the science of human performance, learning how to optimize training based on principles like adaptation, recovery, and energy systems.
- Business Skills: Gain essential knowledge for managing and growing a coaching practice, covering topics like marketing, client retention, and financial planning.
These specializations allow coaches to tailor their continuing education to the areas most relevant to their coaching journey while ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the key aspects of cycling coaching.
03Maintain
After temporarily suspending CEU requirements for licensed cycling coaches in 2020, we are reintroducing continuing education requirements for coach licensure in 2024. This year, the program will undergo a transitional phase as we enhance and retool our coach education program for 2025.
During the disruption caused by the pandemic, many forms of bike racing were canceled, leading to challenges for coaches as athletes shifted their focus to alternative activities such as socially distanced riding and indoor cycling. To support coaches during this period, we temporarily suspended our CEU requirement and instead collaborated with Fast Talk Laboratories to provide a free, self-paced coaching education resource entirely online. This initiative also included several live discussion sessions to foster connections among coaches despite the ongoing challenges.
By resuming CEU requirements, we achieve four important goals:
1. We support coaches by providing a growth path to evolve skills.
2. We ensure that USA Cycling certified coaches offer the best coaching experience for all types of riders.
3. We show our continued commitment to coaching as we build toward a revamped coaching education program in 2025.
4. We demonstrate the rigor and quality of your coaching certification.
We know there’s no substitute for real-world coaching experience, but coaching education is critical to meeting the evolving needs of all types of athletes.
All USA Cycling coaches must complete a total of 6 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) by December 31, 2024 in order to maintain their status as an active USA Cycling coach and subsequently renew their USA Cycling coaching license.
In an effort to ensure quality and consistency across all coaching levels, at least 4 of the 6 required CEUs must come from the Coach Athlete Communication module or a The Art and Science of Training Plan Creation module (worth 4 CEUs each). The remaining CEUs may be earned via a variety of pre-approved online and in-person events and training modules. View the full list of approved CEU options here.
Beginning in 2025 coaches level 1 Certified and Level 2 Intermediate coaches will be required to complete 10 CEUs annually and Level 3 Advanced* coaches will be required to complete 15 CEUs annually.
*Level 3 Advanced coaches will be provided with a greater number of CEUs based on involvement with the USA Cycling Coach Mentorship Program.
Annual maintenance requirements
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3rd Party CEU Application
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Resource Hub
- Login your USA Cycling LMS Account or Create an account
- Visit "Available courses" and select USA Cycling Level 3 > Login and enroll in the course.
- Follow the process and instructions as outlined in the course
- This course is housed at https://learn.usacycling.org/ our Learning Management System. Please bookmark this for an easy return to login and access your course.
- All requirements for the certification are linked through the course, including the required SafeSport Training and Background Checks
Once the course is complete, please follow the closing instructions on the short wait time before being able to pay for your new coaching certification.
Beginning July 2024 all USA Cycling coaches will be required to complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain their coaching license.
In 2024, 6 units will be required for all coaches with an expansion in 2025.
Check back for details or email our helpdesk with questions.
Click here to renew
Click here to download 2025 renewal requirements
To sign up for insurance, click here.
One of the benefits of being a USA Cycling certified coach is the ability to take out a non-competitive event permit for group training rides or clinics, normally something that only clubs/teams can do.
A benefit of having this permit is that your riders have the benefits of the USA Cycling coverage. As a coach carrying the professional liability insurance through the USAC provider, you will need to complete this registration process and have the event sanctioned in order for the insurance policy to be valid for the camp, clinic, or training ride.
All members of the camp, clinic, or group ride must be USAC racing license holders or purchase a one-day license for each day of participation. For more information on non-competitive event permits, please contact USA Cycling Event Services at 719-434-4201.
If you are going to be a team manager, coach, mechanic, soigneur, director sportif, etc for a UCI race, you will need a UCI Support Personnel license. Whether or not you will ever be asked for one is up to the commissaires and UCI personnel at the race. You may never be asked for the license. If you do not have the UCI support personnel license, the UCI commissaire/official may not allow you in the caravan. USA Cycling cannot be expected to issue a license on short notice. Please submit the paperwork at least 4 weeks prior to the event.
If you are not involved in a UCI event in a team manager or team coach role, you would NOT need a UCI personnel license. This is not a UCI racing license. All UCI licenses expire on December 31 of the year of issuance. Individuals seeking any of the following licenses are required to complete a Background Check as well as SafeSport online training before the license can be processed:
- Managers
- Directors/Assistant Director Sportif
- Soigneurs/Trainers
- Team Doctors
- Coaches
Click here to access the LMS.
Applications open January 1, 2025
Click here to apply
In order to maintain their status as a USA Cycling Coach through 2024, coaches of all levels must meet the following requirements:
1. Complete 6 Continuing Education Unit credits (CEUs) in 2024. Four of which must be in Coach-Athlete Communication or Training Plan Creation.
2. Be up to date with Safe Sport training as required by the US Center for SafeSport
3. Pass a background check
4. Hold a valid USA Cycling Coaching License
Click here to enroll
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