USRowing Announces New Coach Certification Education Program and Standards

June 5, 2024 – Today, USRowing announced its re-envisioned coach education program, along with new education standards for all coaches. Member organizations have identified staff management – particularly hiring well-trained coaches – as their top challenge for club sustainability. While this is a multi-faceted issue, addressing it starts with ensuring all rowing coaches have the knowledge and resources to lead crews successfully.  

The new Level 1 Coach Certification launches June 11, 2024, with revised, updated, and more comprehensive content about rowing core competencies to professionalize rowing, improve safeguarding of athletes, and enhance member experience. Beginning January 1, 2025, all individuals who coach at USRowing member clubs, attend USRowing hosted or sanctioned regattas as a coach, or want access to advanced coach training and certifications must at least hold a Level I certification. Level 1 Coach Certification is free until October 31, 2024, after which, it will cost $99. 

USRowing will launch new Level 2 and 3 certification programs in 2025, building upon the Level 1 core coaching competencies and providing additional professional development aimed at coaches interested in moving into club leadership roles, coaching at USRowing camps, and coaching for U.S. national teams. Beginning January 1, 2026, each member organization will be required to have at least one Level 2 certified coach on staff. 

"Implementing new education standards are an important and necessary step to take to ensure the future development and growth of rowing" said Chris Furlow, Director of Learning & Development at USRowing. "These standards will increase the quantity and quality of rowing coaches in the U.S. and keep more athletes rowing. By producing more professional coaches, improving safeguarding for athletes, and stabilizing member organizations – ones aligned with our strategic goals – we will create better member experiences and a more inclusive and safer sport for all."

The implementation of these new standards are designed to elevate community member experiences and address member feedback highlighted in a survey sent to USRowing Organizational Member leaders in December 2023. Respondents identified Staff Management, particularly hiring well-trained coaches, as a top matter they struggle with. Furthermore, more well-trained coaches across the rowing ecosystem will address other self-identified member concerns including member safety and retention, and the development of grassroots talent, while mitigating risk across sport safety and safeguarding. 

A key change is replacing mentorship hours with continuing education requirements. The new continuing education system allows coaches to customize their training based on their needs and interests. Coaches will now receive their certification upon completion of the certification course and submission of other certification requirements. Coaches need not complete 10, 20, and 30 mentor hours prior to certification. Instead, coaches will need to complete Continuing Education Credits (CECs) each year to maintain certified status as follows: Level 1 (3 CECs), Level 2 (6 CECs), and Level 3 (9 CECs). 

By introducing these new standards, USRowing is following United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) requirements to identify all coaches and ensure that they are SafeSport trained and have a current background check. Through full certification, coaches will also participate in CPR, First Aid, and Boater Safety training. 

USRowing joins a fleet of other national governing bodies who require paid coach certifications, including Rowing Canada, USA Swimming, USA Gymnastics, USA Hockey, and U.S. Figure Skating.  

To learn more about Coach Certifications, visit the Core Courses Coaching Education page. 

Have questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions below: 

GENERAL

• WHAT ARE USROWING’S CURRENT COACHING CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS?
  • No training or certification is required unless you are a coach for the national team or coaching at USRowing camps which both require a Level 2 certification. 
• WHY IS USROWING REQUIRING ALL COACHES TO GET CERTIFIED? 
  • USRowing is required by USOPC to identify all coaches and ensure they are SafeSport trained and have a current background check. By requiring full certification, USRowing meets the USOPC requirement and creates a safer environment for all members by ensuring coaches are better trained and have CPR, First Aid, and Boater Safety training in addition to SafeSport and a current background check. 
• HOW WILL THESE CHANGES BENEFIT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS?
  • Member organizations can rest assured that all certified coaches have a minimum standard of knowledge and training backed by USRowing expertise. Hiring a certified coach simplifies staff management because certified coaches meet all USOPC and U.S. government training requirements including SafeSport training and background check. Better run member organizations lead to higher retention of their own members, and the cultivation of talented athletes.
• HOW WILL THESE CHANGES BENEFIT COACHES?
  • Coaches will have access to updated training, more learning opportunities, and the optionality to customize their ongoing coach education based on their needs and interests through Continuing Education Credits. With certification, coaches can be confident in their professional knowledge and skills backed by USRowing. Furthermore, coaches can promote their credentials and achievements on Find a Coach (coming soon!).
• HOW WILL THESE CHANGES BENEFIT THE SPORT OF ROWING IN THE U.S.?
  • Raising the standards around the quality of education offered to coaches alongside minimum requirements will benefit the long-term growth of rowing. The culmination of elevated member experiences, member organizations’ operational excellence, and reduced risk/threats around safety and safeguarding, we expect to retain a higher percentage of community members, while also attracting new community members to join the sport over time. 
• HOW WILL THIS SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF GRASSROOTS TALENT?
  • All coaches, regardless of their organization’s location will now have access to the same standard of knowledge and training. Therefore, all athletes can have the same opportunity to work with certified coaches providing equal opportunities for all to develop and achieve their full potential. Athletes coached using the best-in-class standards should suffer fewer injuries and accidents as well.
• HOW WILL THIS INCREASE THE SAFEGUARDING OF ROWERS?
  • Safeguarding all rowers is a critical objective for USRowing. Certification of all coaches ensures we can identify all coaches working with rowers at our member organizations and that every coach has the required SafeSport training and background check. With these elements in place, we aim to reduce the threat of safety risks within the rowing community.
• WHY IS LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION REQUIRED IN 2025 AND LEVEL 2 IN 2026? 
  • Level 1 is available asynchronously online and can accommodate thousands of learners. Level 2 has a 10-hour long virtual portion and can only accommodate 25-30 learners per course. Due to limited space on the Level 2 Coach Certification, USRowing gives a longer lead time for coaches seeking to obtain Level 2 certification.
• IS USROWING IMPROVING THE MATERIAL WITHIN COACHING CERTIFICATIONS?
  • Yes. Here’s an overview of how USRowing is improving the material within its three levels of coach certifications:
    • Level 1: The new Level 1 Coach Certification course represents the new foundational coach certification course. Individuals taking this course are expected to have a rowing background. The new course is more comprehensive and integrates DEI content and the American Development Model (ADM) principles into all aspects of the curriculum. 
      Course length is 120-180 minutes.
    • Level 2: Level 2 will be revised in H2 of 2024 with the goal of release in January 2025. Level 2 will build on and go into more depth into the coaching competencies covered in Level 1. Level 2 remains the primary course for program leaders and USRowing camp coaches.
    • Level 3: Level 3 is akin to an advanced degree in coaching rowing, representing the highest level of general coach training. Level 3 will be revised in H2 of 2024 with release planned for January 2025. 
• DOES THIS IMPACT ME IF I’M ALREADY CERTIFIED AS A COACH?
  • No, this will not impact already certified coaches. Beginning in 2025, you will need to complete Continuing Education Credits to maintain certification status. 
• I'M A VOLUNTEER/PARENT COACH, AM I REQUIRED TO GET CERTIFIED? 
  • Yes, all coaches regardless of employment status must be certified. 
• WILL UNCERTIFIED COACHES WITH YEARS OF COACHING EXPERIENCE BE GRANDFATHERED IN? 
  • No, all coaches are required to be certified. However, coaches with at least 3 years full-time coaching experience or 5 years part-time coaching experience can take the Level 1 certification exam without taking the course beforehand. If the test is passed, the individual is expected to enroll in Level 2 or complete Level 1 required continuing education within 6 months. If an individual fails the test, the Level 1 course must be taken, and the exam must be taken again and passed. 
• HOW DOES THE NEW CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT WORK? 
  • USRowing is developing new coaching education, club management education, and athlete education content. These courses, conferences, webinars, and other resources will each be assigned a continuing education point value, and coaches can choose which continuing education opportunities to take advantage of to complete annual requirements. The Continuing Education Credits (CECs) required each year to maintain certified status as follows: Level 1 (3 CECs), Level 2 (6 CECs), and Level 3 (9 CECs). 
• WHY IS USROWING REPLACING THE MENTORSHIP HOURS REQUIREMENTS WITH CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS?
  • USRowing cannot guarantee the quality of mentorship hours or even that they occurred given the submissions are based on the honor system. Continuing education requirements guarantee that coaches attend or complete a course, clinic, conference, or similar learning experience.
• DO OTHER ROWING NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES CHARGE FOR AND REQUIRE COACHING CERTIFICATIONS?
  • Yes, this is not uncommon. As an example, in 2019, Row Canada instituted Every Coach Certified; an initiative that ensures coaches increase their knowledge base, and equips coaches with safety, ethics and athlete development training. Row Canada also requires coaches to submit to screening processes.
• DO OTHER U.S. NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES IN OTHER SPORTS CHARGE FOR AND REQUIRE COACHING CERTIFICATIONS?
  • Yes, USA Swimming, USA Gymnastics, USA Hockey, and U.S. Figure Skating, and many other U.S. National Governing Bodies charge for, and require coaching certifications.

LEVEL 1 SPECIFIC

• WHY IS USROWING MOVING TO A PAID LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION FOR COACHES?
  • USRowing charges fees to support the long-term viability of offering a best-in-class learning experience to members. We charge fees for professional certifications aimed at coaches and staff while offering free or low-fee training in most areas. 
• HOW MUCH IS A LEVEL 1 COACHING CERTIFICATION IF I WANT TO TAKE IT NOW?
  • USRowing’s Level 1 Coaching Certification is free to complete until October 31, 2024. After that date, the price will increase to $99.00. 
• WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES TO BECOME A CERTIFIED LEVEL 1 COACH?
  • Candidates must complete the Level 1 course and pass the Level 1 exam in addition to submitting all the following supplemental requirements: 
    • SafeSport training
    • Pass a full background check
    • First Aid training
    • CPR/AED training
    • Boater Safety License
    • 10 Mentor Hours (to be replaced with Continuing Education Credits beginning January 1, 2025)
• I’M AN UNCERTIFIED COACH -WHAT IF I DON’T GET MY LEVEL 1 COACH CERTIFICATION BY JANUARY 1, 2025?
  • An individual who is not certified will not be recognized as a coach at any USRowing hosted regattas or at USRowing member organizations. Additionally, they will not be able to coach at USRowing camps, or for the national teams.   
• I’M A MEMBER ORGANIZATION-WHAT HAPPENS IF ONE OR MORE OF MY COACHES ARE NOT CERTIFIED TO AT LEAST LEVEL 1 BY JANUARY 1, 2025?
  • An organization that allows an uncertified individual to coach faces the possibility of suspension, disqualification, or other penalties. A member organization with all coaches who are not Level 1 certified will not have any recognized coaches at the organization. Therefore, your club will not be able to hold coached practices or participate in USRowing hosted or sanctioned regattas.

LEVEL 2 SPECIFIC

• HOW MUCH DOES A LEVEL 2 COACH CERTIFICATION COST?
  • Level 2 certification costs $280.00 and includes a USOPC compliant background check.
• WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES TO BECOME A CERTIFIED LEVEL 2 COACH?
  • Prerequisites: Candidates for Level 2 must be at least 18 years old with 4 years of rowing/coxing experience and approximately 1 year of coaching experience or previously completed the Level 1 Coach Certification. Candidates must also hold Championship membership to register for the course.
  • Certification: Candidates must complete the Level 2 course, attend the live virtual sessions (10 hours), and submit all supplemental requirements: 
    • SafeSport training
    • Pass a full background check
    • First Aid training
    • CPR/AED training
    • Boater Safety License
    • 20 Mentor Hours (to be replaced with Continuing Education Credits beginning January 1, 2025)
• DOES THIS IMPACT ME IF I’M ALREADY CERTIFIED AS A LEVEL 2 COACH?
  • No, this does not impact currently certified coaches. However, you will need to maintain all requirements and complete Continuing Education Credits beginning in 2025.
• I’M A MEMBER ORGANIZATION - WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T HAVE A CERTIFIED LEVEL 2 COACH BY JANUARY 1, 2026?
  • A Level 2 certified coach is required to register for and attend hosted and sanctioned regattas in 2026. An organization that continues to operate without a Level 2 certified coach faces the possibility of suspension, disqualification, or other penalties. 
• ARE ALL MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS REQUIRED TO HAVE A LEVEL 2 CERTIFIED COACH? 
  • No, Regatta Pass and Local Organizing Committee members do not require a Level 2 certified coach. All Standard, PLUS, Open Doors, and Sub-Org member organizations do require at least one Level 2 certified coach.