If you are a potential new coach waiting until after December 1 to complete the coaching license application for 2010, please do NOT begin the criminal background until on or after December 1. You can take the online test at any time.
Coaching Clinics, Seminars and Webinars
Coaching clinics are designed for certifying and educating coaches at the different certification levels, for specialty certifications or just for more knowledge. Coaching clinics are held throughout the United States with the exception of the Level 1 certification clinic that is always held in Colorado Springs, CO.
Coaching seminars are for the purpose of continuing education and often are open to racers and the general public. The seminars are often focused on a specific topic or related topics to give the attendees more in depth knowledge than might be available in the coaching certification clinics.
The Coaching Summit is a conference for coaches, riders and interested people that is held on a biennial basis in Colorado Springs. The Summit is a gathering of experts in the field of cycling for a multi-day conference with a variety of subjects and presenters. The Summit is held in even years (the next one is scheduled for 2010).
The close of registration will vary from event to event. Events held at one of the Olympic Training Centers have hard deadlines since paperwork must be submitted to the USOC well before the meeting is held. In all cases, registration will be limited based on meeting room size or, in rare cases, because of the nature of the clinic/seminar.
Level 3 FAQ
I have an old level 3 exam. Can I submit it for the level 3 certification.
Effective December 1, 2009 old exams or hard copies will no longer be accepted. Beginning December 1, 2009 only the online exam will be used.
Can I send in an old level 3 exam before December 1 and use it for a 2010 coaching license?
Yes. If you send in the level 3 exam before December 1, 2009, you can use it for a 2010 license if you do the following:
1) Indicate on the test (a post-it note is fine) to hold it for 2010.
2) Wait until after December 1 to submit the information for the criminal background check and to send in the 2010 coaching license application, fee and signed waivers.
Will the coaching education manager think I am dumb for not sending in the original signed waivers with the coaching license application?
Not only will the coaching education manager think this, but he will contemplate listing all the folks who forget to do so on the USAC website.
Seriously, send in the signed waivers (and USAC needs original signatures). The license will not be processed without them.
I ordered Introduction to Coaching Cyclists. Is there an additional charge for the test?
No. The test fee is included as part of the fee for the manual.
LEVEL 2 CLINIC FAQs
There is not a level 2 clinic that I can attend. May I just pay the fee and take the exam?
No.
Do I take the Level 2 exam at the clinic?
No. The exam itself is a self-paced exam that you take after the clinic. This gives more time at the clinic for teaching.
When is the deadline for turning in the level 2 test?
There is no deadline. However, you are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible.
Are housing and meals included in the level 2 registration cost?
Housing and meals are included if the clinic is held at a US Olympic Training Center and only if the Training Center can provide them. There are cases where USA Cycling uses a Training Center for meeting space but the Training Center cannot provide housing and/or meals. The specifics will be listed for each clinic.
For all other clinics, housing and meals are on your own. More often than not, USA Cycling does not have enough people needing hotel rooms to work a deal with a hotel for a discount. Please check the USA Cycling sponsor for local rates.
Is there a fee to upgrade a coaching license?
No.
Do I earn CEUs for attending the level 2 course?
Yes. The 2009 course is worth 2.5 CEUs. Beginning in 2010, the course will be worth 3.0 CEUs. However, you do not earn CEUs for taking and passing the level 2 exam.
LEVEL 1 CLINIC FAQs
What are the requirements to attend the level 1 clinic?
A person must be a certified USA Cycling Level 2 coach for at least five (5) years and in good standing at the time of registering for the clinic. The coach must have been licensed for each of the five years (or more) prior to registering or attending the clinic.
USA Cycling considers you to be a coach for an entire year if you are certified even part of that year. For instance, if you become a certified level 2 coach on December 15, 2009, you are considered to be a level 2 coach for all of 2009 when it comes to eligibility for the level 1 course.
Coaching Clinic Cancellation Policies
What is the refund policy for USA Cycling clinics/seminars/conferences?
The refund policy for USA Cycling clinics and seminars is:
- 14 or more days before the clinic begins, the person will be refunded 50% of the clinic fee.
- Less than 14 days before the clinic begins, the person will be refunded 25% of the clinic fee.
- If the person does not cancel before the clinic begins, he/she will not receive any refund for the clinic.
- Coaches may request the fee be used as credit toward another clinic within one (1) year.
- If a clinic/seminar reaches capacity and you cancel, if someone from the waiting list takes your place, you will be given a full refund.
A person may cancel by calling the Coaching Education Manager, emailing or faxing (719.434.4324) a request for a cancellation. A person may cancel by mail but the refund will be based on the date of its receipt at USA Cycling.
What is the refund policy for webinars?
There is no refund or "carry over" for a webinar unless USA Cycling cancels the webinar.
Can I learn about upcoming clinics and seminars?
Yes. Some clinics and seminars are open to those who are not coaches. Information is posted on the USAC website along with posting to a Googlegroups listserv. If you wish to join the listserv, you can do so through the box below. Only the owner can post to the group and all replies go to the owner; USAC chose to do this so that we would not clutter your inbox (too much). You can also choose to read postings on the message board only and not receive emails at all.
