Coach Membership Requirements

From the USA Swimming rulebook: “Anyone who coaches athletes at a USA Swimming practice or competition must be a coach member of USA Swimming and must have satisfactorily completed safety training, criminal background checks and other coaches’ education as required by USA Swimming.”

Requirements must be kept current at all times. There is no grace period; coach membership is not valid if any of the requirements lapse or expire. Coaches do not have USA Swimming insurance coverage if their membership is not valid. To help coaches manage their membership requirements, the date that each requirement expires is printed on their USA Swimming coach membership card, as well as being available on the Deck Pass phone app and through the online Club Portal. Additional information and links for each requirement can be found at www.usaswimming.org/coachmember.

2013 NON-ATHLETE APPLICATION FORM

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

All non-athlete members must pass a criminal background check every two years. Coaches must pass a Level II background check. Go to www.usaswimming.org/backgroundcheckfor additional information and to initiate the background check.  When the background check has been passed, the membership database is updated and the LSC is notified automatically.  Please note the RENEWAL option 2.

ATHLETE PROTECTION TRAINING

All non-athlete members must complete the online Athlete Protection Training course every two years. The course takes approximately 60 minutes to complete and is offered at no charge. Go to www.usaswimming.org/protect for additional information and to access the course. When the course has been completed, the membership database is updated and the LSC is notified automatically.

Current and previous members can access the course at any time. New non-athlete members must register through their LSC first. New members cannot initiate the course until their membership application has been processed by their LSC, the office will notify you via e-mail when you are in the database and able to access the course.

APPROVED SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS

Coach members must maintain three safety certifications: CPR/AED, first aid, and Safety Training for Swim Coaches (STSC). A list of acceptable certifications can be found at www.usaswimming.org/coachmember .  Online-only courses are not acceptable. Coaches should enclose a copy (or scan and attach to office e-mail) of their CPR/AED, first aid, and Safety Training for Swim Coaches/Lifeguard certifications with their application and payment to the PNS Office.

If you do not have access to an acceptable course, or you have taken a course that is not on this list, you can call your local American Red Cross chapter to challenge one of their courses. The challenge involves passing the skills assessment with an ARC instructor without having to take the entire course. The ARC will charge a fee for each challenge.

FOUNDATIONS OF COACHING

This requirement will change for new coaches effective February 4, 2013. See the FAQ below. New coaches joining prior to February 4, 2013 will be exempt from the Foundations requirement until they renew for the second year. New coaches joining on or after February 4 will be required to meet the new requirements.

A new coach who registers between Sept 1, 2012 and February 3, 2013 will have two options:

1. New Course Option:

a. After February 4, 2013, complete the “new” Foundations of Coaching 101 course requirement.

b. Prior to 2nd year of registration complete the Foundations of Coaching 201 requirement (includes the 201 Course and a Rules and Regulations Test).

2. Old Course Option

a. Prior to second year of registration complete the “old” Foundations of Coaching DVD based test

For a new coach who registers on or after February 4, 2013:

1. New Course Option Only:

a. Complete the “new” Foundations of Coaching 101. Foundations 101 must be completed prior to becoming a coach member of USA Swimming.

b. Prior to 2nd year of registration complete the “new” Foundations of Coaching 201 and the Rules and Regulations Test.

For a former or existing coach member renewing for 2013 as 2nd year of coach membership:

1. Old Course Option Only

a. Prior to second year of registration complete the “old” Foundations of Coaching DVD based test

2/4/13:  Foundations 101 is now required prior to coach membership (just like the APT, but the coach does NOT need a SWIMS record to take Foundations 101).

Foundations 101 will cost $15.00 and was created in a joint venture between USA Swimming and ePath Learning. It is anticipated that Foundations 201 will be online by early April.

The new Rules and Regulations for Coaches test is already live and available through USA Swimming website. There is no fee for this course, which will be required for all new coaches prior to renewing their second year of coach membership, along with Foundations 201.