Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC)
Credential: Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC)
Credentialing Agency: Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa)
Renewal Period: 3 years
Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) is an advanced credential for individuals who possess the knowledge, skills, techniques, and expertise necessary to be an effective strength and conditioning coach on the collegiate and professional level. The SCCC is for individuals who desire to be appropropriately credentialed to work with student-athletes as required by the NCAA. The SCCC requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in exercise science or a related field. Candidates must also pass an exam.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC)
The following DOD Civilian Occupations provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:
The following Federal Occupations provide training and/or experience that contribute to attaining this credential:
| Federal Occupation | Related As | |
|---|---|---|
| 0636 Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Series |  Some |
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite: Current CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification
- Experience: 3 years recommended
- Education: Bachelors
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period: 3 years
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa)
Post Office Box 7100
University Station
Provo, UT 84602
Phone: (801) 375-9400
Fax: (801) 375-9401
Contact Page
Credential Pre-requisite REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must have a current CPR, First Aid, and AED certification.
Criteria 2:Candidates must be either a currently practicing, full-time strength and conditioning coach on the collegiate or professional level, or a student/intern preparing to become a full-time strength and conditioning coach on this level.
Education REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in exercise science or a related field from an accredited institution.
Experience REQUIREMENTS
Completion of a 640-hour CSCCa-approved practicum/internship with Internship Completion Verification Form from the mentor. Candidates applying through Option 1 must take the CSCCa written and practical exams within 3 years of completing the practicum/internship requirement.
Option 2:Completion of 3 years of full-time strength and conditioning coaching experience on the collegiate or professional level and review of the mentoring packet with a CSCCa-approved mentor to confirm that the candidate's work experience meets with CSCCa criteria. The mentor must provide the Internship Completion Verification Form documenting completion of the review.
Option 3:Completion of 12 years or more of full-time strength and conditioning coaching experience on the collegiate or professional level.
Written Exam
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Assessment of Performance Needs (20%)
- Identify movement patterns performed and muscles used during sport or event
- Identify energy systems used in sport or event
- Assess athletes’ risk of injury using movement screening processes
- Communicate and collaborate with sport coach to identify sport coach’s expectations for team and individual performance and to set goals
- Communicate and collaborate with individual athletes to identify athletes’ expectations for individual performance and to set goals
- Identify nutrition, supplementation, and hydration needs for team and individual performance and to set goals (communicating and collaborating with nutritionist if available)
- Communicate and collaborate with sports medicine staff to assess the medical and injury history of athletes and to determine the needs of injured athletes
- Determine appropriate body composition and weight ranges for athletes (communicating and collaborating with nutritionist if available)
- Assess individual athletes’ physical characteristics and initial strength, power, speed, flexibility, agility, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic capacity
- Assess individual athletes’ learning style, training age, and motivations
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Program Design and Development (23%)
- Develop program according to schedule, time constraints, training environment, equipment, facilities, and staffing
- Apply periodization principles to develop programs that incorporate appropriate recovery time and variations in training volume and intensity
- Design and develop a nutrition, supplementation, and hydration plan for athletes (communicating and collaborating with nutritionist if available)
- Develop a goal-setting, motivation, and recognition plan for athletes
- Review, gather, and share scientific literature and information with colleagues on training techniques and methodology
- Prescribe exercises to develop and train appropriate energy systems
- Prescribe exercises based on athletes’ individual and team capability
- Prescribe exercises based on specificity of sport, event, and position
- Incorporate appropriate warm-up exercises, regenerative movements, and recovery modalities
- Develop a plan, procedure, and schedule for pre-test and post-test evaluation
- Develop a program to incorporate safe and effective modifications to training based on individual weaknesses (e.g. muscle imbalance), injuries, and health risks (e.g. sickle cell trait, asthma, cardiac illness, heat illness)
- Document program design
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Athlete Education and Training (20%)
- Educate athletes on safe and effective exercise techniques, lifting techniques, and spotting techniques
- Educate athletes on emergency action plans as well as protocols and procedures for the appropriate use of equipment and facilities
- Educate athletes on safe and effective sport-specific movements
- Educate athletes on safe and effective warm-up exercises, regenerative movements, and recovery modalities
- Educate athletes on safe and effective nutrition, supplementation, and hydration
- Educate athletes on injury prevention
- Educate athletes on training appropriate energy systems based on sport, event, and position
- Educate individual athletes on safe and effective modifications to training based on individual weaknesses (e.g. muscle imbalance), injuries, and health risks (e.g. sickle cell trait, asthma, cardiac illness, heat illness)
- Reinforce education provided by support staff such as sports psychologist, nutritionist, athletic trainers, equipment managers, and academic advisors
- Educate athlete on central-nervous-system fatigue, performance decline, and overtraining
- Develop athletes’ leadership skills
- Facilitate team-building activities with athletes
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Athlete Testing and Evaluation (20%)
- Monitor and analyze strength, power, speed, flexibility, agility, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic capacity using tools, instruments, and visual inspection
- Monitor and analyze body composition using tools, instruments, and visual inspection
- Monitor and analyze safe and effective sport-specific movements, exercise techniques, lifting techniques, and spotting techniques
- Monitor adherence to nutrition, supplementation, and hydration plan and guidelines
- Monitor and analyze athlete for central-nervous-system fatigue, performance decline, and over-training
- Make appropriate adjustments to training based on results of evaluation and athletic performance
- Compare results of evaluation and athletic performance to goals set, making adjustments if needed, and setting new goals
- Monitor athlete motivation, attitude, and adherence to training program plan and schedule
- Document athlete evaluation data (e.g. performance data, goals set and achieved, injury reports)
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Organizational and Administrative Responsibilities (17%)
- Ensure that training of athletes is adequately supervised by qualified staff
- Ensure cleanliness and sanitization of exercise equipment and facility
- Set up and organize equipment and facility
- Ensure the safe and proper functioning of exercise equipment and facility
- Research and procure equipment, products, and travel for department
- Determine and prioritize budgetary needs of department
- Coordinate and schedule training sessions and facility and equipment usage
- Ensure athlete adherence to academic, athletic, and social responsibilities
- Engage in networking and recruiting of qualified staff
- Engage in on-campus recruiting of prospective athletes
- Educate staff on NCAA and university policies and procedures
- Train staff on technical skills, leadership skills, and professionalism
- Mentor and counsel staff
- Supervise and maintain qualified staff
- Collaborate with compliance staff regarding athlete compliance with NCAA and university policies and procedures
- Develop department policies and operating procedures
- Engage in continuing education and maintaining professional (e.g. SCCC) and healthand-safety certifications (e.g. CPR, First Aid, AED)
- Maintain confidentiality of athlete and staff information
- Mentor and counsel athletes
- Maintain communication and working relationships with support staff
- Maintain communication and working relationships with administrators
- Maintain communication and working relationships with sport coaches
- Resolve conflicts among sport coaches, staff, and athletes in a professional manner
Practical Exam
- Program Design
- Assessment of Performance Needs
- Program Design and Development
- Coaching and Movements
- Athlete Education and Training
- Athlete Testing and Evaluation
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) examination:
- Best Sources
- General References
RECERTIFICATION
Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC)
Renewal Period: 3 years
MOST
OTHER