Skip to main content
HomeCertification Exam Requirements


To be eligible to take the SCCC Certification Examination, an individual must be a currently practicing, full-time, strength and conditioning coach on the collegiate or professional level, or a student preparing to become a full-time strength and conditioning coach on this level.

 

Our goal as an association is to identify, educate, serve, and prepare those individuals who want to exclusively be full-time strength and conditioning coaches of collegiate and professional athletic teams. Dual certification in other fields is discouraged in order to protect the integrity and value of the SCCC Certification and the profession of full-time collegiate and professional-level strength and conditioning. The various positions of strength and conditioning coach, sport coach, athletic trainer, physical therapist, teacher/researcher, personal trainer, etc., are each so broad and vast in scope that it is impossible to be effective and competent in more than one of these professions simultaneously. Each of these professions has its own organization and certification, designed specifically to meet its unique needs.

 

With its certification process, the CSCCa is providing a path, through which only those individuals who want to be full-time strength and conditioning coaches on the collegiate and professional level can pass. We hope to send a message to all institutions that a full-time strength and conditioning coaching position is extremely important and should be provided at every institution with an athletics program.

 

ATTENTION: CSCCa membership is not required for obtaining SCCC Certification, but CSCCa members do receive discounted rates. Annual membership dues (membership year runs from August 1 - July 31) must be paid by corresponding deadlines in order to receive the member discounted pricing for conference registration. A non-compliance fee will be assessed for individuals who do not pay the membership fee by the corresponding deadline, but who have received discounted pricing for any CSCCa dues and fees.

Please download a free copy of the SCCC Certification Handbookto get detailed information about the SCCC certification exam, eligibility requirements, policies and more.


FALL 2026 EXAM REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON AUGUST 3, 2026! 
SPRING 2027 EXAM REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON OCTOBER 1, 2026!

 

Standard Candidates with less than 6 years full time experience



  • Graduating students
  • Strength and conditioning coach of collegiate or professional athletic team with less than 6 years full time experience

Upcoming Testing Windows

  • Fall 2026 Virtual Practical Exam:

October 5-9, 2026

  • Fall 2026 Written Exam:

November 2-30, 2026

  • Spring 2027 Written Exam:

March 29,-May 1, 2027

  • Spring 2027 Practical Exam:

May 3, 2027 in Milwaukee, WI

Standard Requirements, Descriptions & Deadlines 
*Please note that the listed exam and membership fees are subject to change prior to August 1, 2026.

Exam Application - PLEASE COMPLETE THIS STEP FIRST!
Click the "Register Now" button above for the exam you want take.
 
FALL 2026 Exam: OPENS August 3rd, 2026 -  DEADLINE August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027 Exam: OPENS October 1st , 2026 -  DEADLINE February 8th, 2027.
CSCCa Code of Conduct 
A signed CSCCa Code of Conduct must be completed within the exam application form.
Deadline for the FALL 2026 Exam: August 31st, 2026 | Deadline for the SPRING 2027 Exam: February 8th, 2027.


Practicum Waiver & Information Form (click title for downloadable form)
A Practicum Waiver & Information Form must be submitted to the CSSCa National Office at the beginning of your 640-hour CSCCa approved internship. Please submit this document under "Member Attachments" on your profile page.
All practicum/internships must be completed within 3 years of the candidate’s initial exam date. The internship completion date cannot be more than 3 years prior to the first time the candidate sits for the exam.
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027.

Current CSCCa Membership Dues 
Student $65/year Full time: $120/year (optional)
Membership dues are required if you are wanting membership pricing and MUST be paid before you pay for your Certification Fee.

Certification Fee
Certification Fee Member: $370 -- Non Member: $490
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027.

Bachelor's Degree
Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. A sealed, official transcript verifying attainment of a bachelor's degree is required. Transcripts issued to students or copies will not be accepted. Transcripts must be sent from the university's records department directly to the CSSCa National Office electronically to cert@cscca.org.
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027.
Completed Education Eligibility Requirement
All first-time candidates are required to have received academic credit on their official transcripts for the following courses (5 total):
-Anatomy & Physiology (1 course)**
-Exercise Physiology (1 course)
-Biomechanics or Kinesiology (1 course)
-Nutrition (Sports Nutrition preferred) (1 course)


Note: Classes titled as "Introductory" will not be accepted unless they are worth 3+ credit hours; standalone labs do not count as one of the required classes, and acceptable courses must be worth 3+ credit hours. 
**Example: Anatomy and Physiology I, or Human Anatomy (One Class) OR Human Physiology (Another Class)

Alternatively, candidates that have a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or Kinesiology from a CAAHEP or CASCE accredited institutions meet the education eligibility requirements. Information on how to find a CAAHEP or CASCE accredited program is listed in the next column on this page.



CPR/AED/FIRST AID Card
A copy of the front and back of CPR, First Aid, and AED certification card issued only by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, and valid on the date of the exam, must be uploaded to your profile by going to profile > more member options > attachment. While First Aid courses may be completed entirely online, we cannot accept any CPR, and AED card obtained solely online. We do strongly recommend, however, that the First Aid portion include an in-person skills assessment if at all possible. Additionally, CPR/First Aid/AED Courses must meet AHA requirements. Please submit this document under "Member Attachments" on your profile page.
Deadline:  FALL 2026: September 9th, 2026 | SPRING 2027: March 12th, 2027.

Internship Completion Verification Form
Internship completion verification form signed and submitted by a CSSCa Approved Mentor at the completion of a 640-hour CSCCa approved internship. Approved Mentors please email document to cert@cscca.org
All practicum/internships must be completed within 3 years of the candidate’s initial exam date. The internship completion date cannot be more than 3 years prior to the first time the candidate sits for the exam.

Deadline:  FALL 2026: September 9th, 2026 | SPRING 2027: March 12th, 2027.
Practicum Fee
Practicum Fee of $230 to cover CSCCa administrative costs of the program. 
Deadline:  FALL 2026: September 9th, 2026 | SPRING 2027: March 12th, 2027.
Program Design
Submission of a program design to the CSSCa National Office via email. Template and instructions will be emailed to registered candidates in early March. 
Deadline:  FALL 2026: September 30th, 2026 | SPRING 2027: March 25th, 2027.   

Find a CAAHEP or CASCE accredited Exercise Science degree program:
To see the current list of CAAHEP accredited Exercise Science degree programs visit CAAHEP | Find An Accredited Program
➡ Click the "Profession" filter button and select "Exercise Sciences", then click "Search"
➡ You can continue to filter your search by state
To see the current list of CASCE accredited degree programs visit Find a CASCE Program Near You

CAAHEP and CASCE accreditation are voluntary programmatic accreditations. A degree from a CAAHEP or CASCE accredited program is NOT REQUIRED to be eligible for the SCCC certification.  


Retake Candidates


Candidates who are retaking the SCCC Certification examination.


Upcoming Testing Windows

  • Fall 2026 Virtual Practical Exam:

October 5-9, 2026

  • Fall 2026 Written Exam:

November 2-30, 2026

  • Spring 2027 Written Exam:

March 29,-May 1, 2027

  • Spring 2027 Practical Exam:

May 3, 2027 in Milwaukee, WI


Retake Requirements, Descriptions & Deadlines

*Please note that the listed exam and membership fees are subject to change prior to August 1, 2026.

The following is a summary of SCCC Certification Requirements and their respective deadlines for candidates re-taking one or both portions of the SCCC Certification Exam:

**FALL 2026 / SPRING 2027 WRITTEN RETAKE EXAM REQUIREMENTS**

Fall 2026 Retake Exam Application - PLEASE COMPLETE THIS STEP FIRST!

Click the "Register Now" button above for the exam you want take.
Applications open on August 3rd, 2026
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027
Current CSCCa Membership Dues 
Membership Dues Student $65/year Full time: $120/year (optional) 
Membership dues are required if you are wanting membership pricing and MUST be paid before you pay for your Certification Fee.

Certification Fee
Certification Fee Member: $215 -- Non Member: $270
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027

CPR/AED/First Aid Card 
A copy of the front and back of CPR, First Aid, and AED certification card issued only by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, and valid on the date of the exam, must be emailed to the national office at cert@cscca.org. While First Aid courses may be completed entirely online, we cannot accept any CPR, and AED card obtained solely online. We do strongly recommend, however, that the First Aid portion include an in-person skills assessment if at all possible. Additionally, CPR/First Aid/AED Courses must meet AHA requirements. Please submit these documents under "Member Attachments" on your profile page.  
Deadline:  FALL 2026: September 9th, 2026 | SPRING 2027: March 12th, 2027

**FALL 2026/ SPRING 2027 PRACTICAL RETAKE EXAM REQUIREMENTS**

Spring 2026 Retake Exam Application
 Click the "Register Now" button above for the exam you want take.
Applications open on October 1st, 2026.
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027

Current CSCCa Membership Dues 
Membership Dues Student $65/year Full time: $120/year (optional)
Membership dues are required if you are wanting membership pricing and MUST be paid before you pay for your Certification Fee.


Certification Fee
 Certification Fee One Portion- Member: $215 -- Non Member: $270
Two Portions- Member: $370 -- Non Member: $490
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027

CPR/AED/First Aid Card 
A copy of the front and back of CPR, First Aid, and AED certification card issued only by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, and valid on the date of the exam, must be uploaded to your profile by going to profile > more member options > attachment. While First Aid courses may be completed entirely online, we cannot accept any CPR, and AED card obtained solely online. We do strongly recommend, however, that the First Aid portion include an in-person skills assessment if at all possible. Additionally, CPR/First Aid/AED Courses must meet AHA requirements. Please submit these documents under "Member Attachments" on your profile page.
Deadline:  FALL 2026: September 9th, 2026 | SPRING 2027: March 12th, 2027

Program Design **only applies to those who are retaking Practical Exam
Submission of a program design to the CSCCa National Office via email. Template and instructions will be emailed to registered candidates in early March. 
Deadline:  FALL 2026: September 30th, 2026 | SPRING 2027: March 25th, 2027

Full-Time Candidates with 6 Years Experience


Collegiate or professional-level strength and conditioning coaches who have been coaching full-time on the collegiate or professional-level for 6 or more years.


Upcoming Testing Windows

  • Fall 2026 Virtual Practical Exam:

October 5-9, 2026

  • Fall 2026 Written Exam:

November 2-30, 2026

  • Spring 2027 Written Exam:

March 29,-May 1, 2027

  • Spring 2027 Practical Exam:

May 3, 2027 in Milwaukee, WI


Full-Time for 6 or more years with a collegiate and/or a professional athletic team           
Requirements, Descriptions & Deadlines

*Please note that the listed exam and membership fees are subject to change prior to August 1, 2026.

The following is a summary of SCCC Certification Requirements and their respective deadlines, for actively practicing full-time collegiate or professional-level strength and conditioning coaches who have a minimum of 6 years full-time collegiate and/or professional-level strength and conditioning coaching experience to be sent to cert@cscca.org:

Exam Application - PLEASE COMPLETE THIS STEP FIRST!
Click the "Register Now" button above for the exam you want take. 
FALL 2026: OPENS August 3rd, DEADLINE August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027:  OPENS October 1st, DEADLINE February 8th, 2027

CSCCa Code of Conduct
A signed CSCCa Code of Conduct must completed within the exam application form.
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027

Current CSCCa Membership Dues
Membership Dues Full time: $120/year
(optional)
Membership dues are required if you are wanting membership pricing and MUST be paid before you pay for your Certification Fee.


Certification Fee
Certification Fee Member: $370 -- Non Member: $490
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027

Bachelor's Degree
Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. A sealed, official transcript verifying attainment of a bachelor's degree is required. Transcripts issued to students or copies will not be accepted. Transcripts must be sent from the University's Records Department directly to the CSCCa National Office either electronically cert@cscca.org.
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027

Completed Education Eligibility Requirement
All first-time candidates are required to have received academic credit on their official transcripts for the following courses (5 total): 
-Anatomy & Physiology (1 course)**
-Exercise Physiology (1 course) 
-Biomechanics or Kinesiology (1 course) 
-Nutrition (Sports Nutrition preferred) (1 course) 


Note: Classes titled as "Introductory" will not be accepted unless they are worth 3+ credit hours; standalone labs do not count as one of the required classes, and acceptable courses must be worth 3+ credit hours. 
**Example: Anatomy and Physiology, or Human Anatomy (One Class) or Human Physiology (One Class)
Alternatively, candidates that have a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or Kinesiology from a CAAHEP or CASCE accredited institutions meet the education eligibility requirements. 


Employment Verification Letters
Candidates with 6 or more years of full-time strength and conditioning coaching experience at the collegiate and/or professional level, employment verification letter(s) must be submitted to cert@cscca.org as part of the exam registration. 
Deadline:  FALL 2026: August 31st, 2026 | SPRING 2027: February 8th, 2027

You can download the EV letter template here. EV letters must be on official letter head of the institution that it is coming from and be written by a HR representative at that institution.

CPR/AED/First Aid Card
A copy of the front and back of CPR, First Aid, and AED certification card issued only by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, and valid on the date of the exam, must be uploaded to your profile by going to profile > more member options > attachment. While First Aid courses may be completed entirely online, we cannot accept any CPR, and AED card obtained solely online. We do strongly recommend, however, that the First Aid portion include an in-person skills assessment if at all possible. Additionally, CPR/First Aid/AED Courses must meet AHA requirements. Please submit this document under "Member Attachments" on your profile page.
Deadline:  FALL 2026: September 9th, 2026 | SPRING 2027: March 12th, 2027

Program Design**
Submission of a program design to the CSCCa National Office via email. Template and instructions will be emailed to registered candidates in early March.
Deadline:  FALL 2026: September 30th, 2026| SPRING 2027: March 25th, 2027



Refund and Cancellation Policy

Please refer to the table outlining the cancellation/refund policy for the next two scheduled SCCC Certification Exams. Please note that refunds are subject to a processing fee and may take up to three weeks after the completion of the scheduled testing window.
For candidates who are registered for both the virtual and written portions of the exam in the fall, and cancel and request a refund for both portions of the exam, the virtual practical exam refund schedule will apply. 


*Cancellation Note: In order to receive a refund or to have payment applied to a later exam, the SCCC Candidate must request a cancellation in writing to cert@cscca.org. Appeals for refunds after the established deadlines due to extenuating circumstances may be submitted by email to the CSCCa National Office. Please be aware, that appeals will not be accepted more than two weeks after the applicable testing window closes. All refunds are subject to a processing fee. 


Fall 2026 Virtual Practical Exam Cancellation Received By:      Fall 2026 Written Exam Cancellation Received By: Spring 2027 Certification Exam Cancellation Received By: Terms of Cancellation
Before August 31, 2026  Before August 31, 2026 Before February 8, 2027 Full refund provided*
August 31, 2026 - September 10, 2026  August 31 - September 30, 2026 February 8, 2025 - March 5, 2027 $25 Non-refundable cancellation fee*
September 11, 2026 - October 4, 2026  October 1 - November 1, 2026 March 6, 2025 - March 28, 2027 $100 Non-refundable cancellation fee*
After October 4, 2026  After November 1, 2026 After March 28, 2027 No refund provided*

CSCCa
111 West Anderson Lane
Suite #D217
Austin, TX 78752

Contact us
(801) 375-9400
info@cscca.org

Monday-Friday
9 AM - 4 PM CST