ASCA Certification
The Gold Standard in Swim Coach Education
For decades, ASCA Certification has helped coaches build the knowledge, skills, and professional foundation needed to grow throughout their careers. Today that tradition continues through a modern pathway built on current coaching concepts, sports science, practical application, coaching experience, and continued professional development.
Whether you’re new to the profession or an experienced coach ready to deepen your expertise, ASCA Certification gives you a clear path forward.
Build Your Coaching Knowledge. Earn Your Certification.
ASCA Certification is a professional development pathway designed to grow with you throughout your coaching career. From building a strong foundation to advancing your knowledge, experience, and leadership, each certification level reflects meaningful progress as a coach.
Through ASCA Certification, coaches can:
- Build practical knowledge they can apply on deck
- Progress through a clear, structured Levels 1–5 pathway
- Expand their education through advanced coursework and professional development
- Pair education with real-world coaching experience
- Demonstrate continued investment in their growth and the profession
Whether you’re earning your first certification or working toward Level 5, the pathway is designed to help you grow as a coach and give you a clear next step forward.
ASCA Certifications are no longer connected to athlete performance. Performance-based coaching recognition is now recognized separately with the new Star Coach Awards.
Before You Begin
ASCA Membership Is the Starting Point.
Active ASCA Membership is required to purchase, earn and maintain your Certification.
Certification courses are purchased individually or in bundles, allowing coaches to progress through the pathway at the pace that works for them.
Ready to Begin Certification?
Begin any certification level by logging into your ASCA member profile and clicking Apply for Certification found on the left side panel. After you submit your application, you can purchase the corresponding course in the ASCA Coaches HQ Store. Reminder, Coaches can take coursework in any order they choose, however, to be certified at Levels 2 – 5, the prior certifications must be completed as prerequisites.
Completion and Recognition
Once you have successfully completed the course and all other requirements, your Certification certificate and badge will be viewable on your profile, your badge will appear in our Member Directory, and the certificate will be downloadable.
Your ASCA Certification Pathway
Levels 1–3: Build Your Core Professional Foundation
The first three Certification Levels establish the core knowledge and planning skills coaches need on deck. Coaches can take coursework in any order they choose, however, to be certified at Levels 2 – 5, the prior certifications must be completed as prerequisites.
LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION — BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION
Education Requirement: Coach’s Toolkit Course
Coaching Experience: No additional experience requirement
Course Cost: $79
Start with practical coaching knowledge and tools designed to establish a strong professional foundation.
LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATION — DEVELOP YOUR COACHING SKILLS
Prerequisite: Level 1 Certification
Education Requirement: Stroke School – Comprehensive Technique Course
Coaching Experience: 6 months cumulative
Course Cost: $79
Developed by ASCA’s Performance and Education Advisor, Russell Mark, your understanding of stroke technique and athlete development while applying that knowledge through real-world coaching experience.
LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATION — PLAN WITH PURPOSE
Prerequisite: Levels 1 & 2 Certification
Education Requirements:
• The Season Planning Framework
• Daily Workout Planning and Design
Coaching Experience: 12 months cumulative
Course Cost: $70/course / $140 for both courses
Learn to connect individual practices to a larger purpose by building intentional seasons, workouts, and training progressions.
NOTE: Levels 1-5 no longer require ACEs and will not be tracked beginning November 2026. ACEs that were earned prior to October 1, 2026 will be tracked in your profile as legacy Education Credits.
Levels 4–5: Build an Advanced Path Around Your Career
Advanced coaches don’t all need the same education. Levels 4 and 5 provide greater flexibility by allowing coaches to choose courses that align with their responsibilities, interests, athletes, and professional goals.
LEVEL 4 CERTIFICATION — ADVANCED COACH
Prerequisite: Levels 1, 2 & 3 Certification
Requirements:
• Complete 6 courses of your choosing from the Advanced & Elite Coach Course Catalog
• Complete 3 ASCA Live sessions after your application for Level 4 is approved
• Verify 24 months of cumulative coaching experience
Course Cost: $70 per course / $420 for six courses
Once all requirements are complete, Level 4 Certification is awarded.
LEVEL 5 CERTIFICATION — ELITE COACH
Prerequisite: Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4 Certification
Requirements:
• Complete 6 additional courses of your choosing from the Advanced & Elite Coach Course Catalog
• Complete 3 additional ASCA Live sessions after beginning the Level 5 pathway
• Attend 1 qualifying in-person ASCA clinic or event
• Verify 36 months of cumulative coaching experience
Course Cost: $70 per course / $420 for six courses
Courses and ASCA Live sessions completed for Level 4 do not also satisfy the Level 5 requirements. Coaches progressing through both advanced Levels will complete 12 Advanced & Elite Coach courses in total.
Once all requirements are complete, Level 5 Certification is awarded.
Advanced & Elite Coach Course Catalog
Your advanced Certification should reflect the coach you are becoming. As ASCA’s education catalog grows, Advanced and Elite Coaches can select learning opportunities that align with their coaching environment and career goals.
Click on the course catalog link below to see the current list of course offerings for Level 4 (Advance Coach) and Level 5 (Elite Coach).
Course titles, learning tracks, and offerings will continue to expand as new education becomes available, giving coaches more opportunities to personalize their professional development.
When You Complete a Level
Your Achievement Is Recognized.
Once all education, experience, and professional-development requirements for a Certification Level are complete, your ASCA Certification is automatically awarded.
You’ll receive:
- Your ASCA Certification
- A downloadable certificate
- A digital Certification badge
- Your Certification badge displayed in the ASCA Public Member Directory