USA Triathlon

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Policy

CEUs are courses designed to ensure USA Triathlon Certified Coaches keep their knowledge of industry trends, technology and triathlon regulations relevant. CEUs are crucial for professional coaches to stay up-to-date with the most relevant triathlon coaching education as well as ensure each coach is well-rounded. There are two types of CEUs that USAT recognizes: USAT CEUs (courses that USAT runs or is affiliated with) and Non-USAT CEUs (courses held by outside organizations). 

All USA Triathlon Certified Coaches are required to earn a minimum of 8 USAT CEUs to maintain their professional coach certification during each 2-year cycle. All coaches must earn 12 CEUs, 8 of which must be USAT CEUs. The remaining 4 CEUs can be either non-USAT CEUs or USAT CEUs.

It is the responsibility of each certified coach to maintain a record of all documentation for completed CEUs. 

Non-USA Triathlon CEUs 

USA Triathlon reserves the right to assign or deny a CEU value to Non-USAT seminars and conferences. Non-USAT CEU value is based upon relevancy to triathlon coaching and is assigned by USA Triathlon, not by what another organization assigns. Continuing education does NOT include the daily activities of a coach such as attending training, leading training rides, meeting with athletes, etc.

Coaches are responsible for tracking their CEUs, getting courses accepted for Non-USAT CEUs, and recording CEUs in their recertification application.

Please note that the Non-USAT CEU opportunities listed below are not exclusive, they are simply the most common Non-USAT CEUs earned by coaches. Credit for Non-USAT courses are awarded with a maximum of 4 Non-USAT CEUs per course. 

Please note, unless the course is listed on this page, it needs to be reviewed by USA Triathlon Coaching Education Staff by emailing coaching@usatriathlon.org. 

IRONMAN Coach Certification CEU Value
Beginning in 2020, the IRONMAN Coaching Certification is accepted for 10 USAT CEUs (a 2020 certification issue date is required). Coaches who earned their IRONMAN Coaching Certification in 2019 earn 5 Non-USAT CEUs. Coaches who earned their IRONMAN Coaching Certification before 2019 can use their IRONMAN Coaching Recertification to earn 2.5 Non-USAT CEUs (recertification of any of the certifications accepted for Non-USAT CEUs is worth half of the original certification Non-USAT CEU value).

Non-USAT CEUs for Formal Higher Education
Accepted for 1 Non-USAT CEU per 1 academic credit hour (max of 5 Non-USAT CEUs per course). Attach your transcript to your recertification application (passing grade and course description required). 

Credit must be earned from an accredited institution. College courses that are acceptable for continuing education include (but are not limited to): Biology, Chemistry, Kinesiology, Physiology, Anatomy, Exercise Science, Nutrition, Marketing and Physical Education courses (i.e. track, swimming, etc.). College courses that are not acceptable for continuing education include any course beyond the scope of practice for triathlon coaches and courses that do not relate to coaching multisport.

**Recertification of any of the below certifications is worth half of the original certification Non-USAT CEU value.

**Non-USAT CEU amounts subject to change without notice