Credentials / Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association

Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified

SCCCcertificationverifiedby Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association· Compare
Verified: this record was checked against its official source and the accreditor’s directory. Last verified 2026-09-03. 13 sources on file.

At a glance

Credential type
certification
Status
active
Target professional
Full-time collegiate and professional strength and conditioning coaches
Country
US
Official page
https://www.cscca.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=408309&module_id=614557
Recertification page
unknown
Categories
Strength & Conditioning, Sports Performance

Accreditation

accreditedNCCAaccredited through 2029-07-31· confirmed in the accreditor’s directory 2026-09-03
Confirmed against NCCA Accredited Program Directory (full listing) on 2026-09-03: Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Association | SCCC | Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified | NCCA | Accredited through 7/31/2029

Eligibility & examination

Eligibility

Minimum age
unknown
Education
Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (sealed official transcript required). All first-time candidates must have academic credit for 4 courses: Anatomy & Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics or Kinesiology, and Nutrition (each 3+ credit hours). Alternatively, a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or Kinesiology from a CAAHEP- or CASCE-accredited program meets the education eligibility requirement.
Degree required
yes — Bachelor's degree
Degree field
No specific major required; specified coursework (A&P, exercise physiology, biomechanics/kinesiology, nutrition) required, or a bachelor's in Exercise Science/Kinesiology from a CAAHEP- or CASCE-accredited program in lieu of the coursework. CAAHEP/CASCE accreditation is NOT required.
Experience
Must be a currently practicing, full-time strength and conditioning coach on the collegiate or professional level, or a student preparing to become one. Completion of a 640-hour CSCCa-approved practicum/internship under a CSCCa-Approved Mentor (must be completed within 3 years of the candidate's initial exam date); undergraduates must be at least a senior (90+ semester hours). Candidates with 6 or more years of full-time collegiate/professional S&C coaching experience submit employment verification letter(s) instead of the practicum.
CPR/AED
yes
Other prerequisites
Signed CSCCa Code of Conduct within the exam application; Practicum Waiver & Information Form and Internship Completion Verification Form; submission of a program design; CPR, First Aid and AED certification card from American Red Cross or American Heart Association valid on the exam date (CPR/AED cannot be obtained solely online). CSCCa membership is not required but members receive discounted rates.

Dual certification in other fields is not permitted/discouraged to protect the integrity of the SCCC certification.

Examination

Format
Three-pronged program: 640-hour practicum/internship, a comprehensive science-based written exam, and a practical exam before a panel of Master Strength & Conditioning Coaches. Written exam scheduled with PSI online at a location near you; practical exam either virtual with remote proctoring or in person at the CSCCa National Conference.
Online exam
yes
Testing center
yes
Length
unknown
Questions
unknown
Passing score
unknown
Attempts included
unknown
Retake policy
Candidates may retake one or both portions of the SCCC Certification Exam by submitting a retake exam application and paying the retake certification fee (one portion: $225 member / $355 non-member; both portions: $340 member / $470 non-member); retaking the practical exam also requires a program design submission.

Initial certification costs

$340
exam retake fee
$340
exam fee member
$470
exam fee nonmember
$230
application fee
$470
exam retake fee
$225
exam retake fee
$355
exam retake fee

$340: CSCCa member · $340: CSCCa member · $470: Non-member · $470: Non-member · $225: CSCCa member · $355: Non-member

Renewal & CEU requirements

3 yr
renewal cycle
45
CEUs per cycle
$75
renewal member
$120
renewal nonmember
Recertification required
yes
CEU unit system
CSCCa CEU (15 CEUs recommended per year; non-CSCCa approved events credited at 0.5 CEU per contact hour, max 8 CEUs per event)
Ethics requirement
yes
CPR/AED at renewal
yes
Deadline rule
All requirements must be completed on or before the last day of the 3-year CEU cycle; cycles run August 1 - July 31 (current cycle August 1, 2025 - July 31, 2028, deadline July 31, 2028). CPR/AED and First Aid must be valid on/after July 31, 2028.

Requirements per 3-year cycle: 45 CEUs; valid CPR/AED (must include hands-on portion; online-only not accepted) and First Aid certification valid on the cycle deadline; passing the 35-question Health & Safety Quiz (min 80%, awards 3 CEUs) once per cycle; signing the virtual Code of Conduct; and payment of all outstanding dues/fees. Failure to meet requirements results in loss of SCCC certification; reinstatement possible in the following cycle (fee effective Jan 1, 2026: $75 member/$100 non-member), otherwise must re-certify by retaking the written exam. Membership is not required to maintain SCCC (but is required for MSCC). Category caps include max 20 CEUs from mentoring, 20 from teaching courses, 20 from taking courses per cycle.

CEU recognition

  • Non-CSCCa conferences and meetings (approved non-CSCCa events) — petition accepted
    0.5 CEU per contact hour of attendance at approved non-CSCCa conferences/meetings, max 8 CEUs per single event; requires official itinerary with speakers/topics/times and a completion certificate; all materials subject to Education Board approval

Pathway

What this credential requires

All of:
  • EducationBachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • CPR/AEDCurrent CPR/AED certification valid on the examination date
  • CertificationCurrent First Aid certification valid on the examination date
One of:
  • OtherCurrently practicing as a full-time collegiate or professional strength and conditioning coach
— or —
  • OtherStudent preparing to become a collegiate or professional strength and conditioning coach
One of:
  • ExperienceSuccessfully complete a 640-hour CSCCa-approved practicum/internship with an approved mentor
— or —
  • ExperienceAt least 6 years of full-time collegiate or professional strength and conditioning coaching experience
One of:
  • EducationAcademic credit in Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics or Kinesiology, and Nutrition
— or —
  • EducationBachelor's degree in Exercise Science or Kinesiology from a qualifying CAAHEP/CASCE-accredited program

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Sources (13)

Latest verification activity: reverification → confirmed (2026-10-03) · reverification → confirmed (2026-10-03) · reverification → confirmed (2026-09-07) · initial verification → confirmed (2026-09-07) · reverification → confirmed (2026-09-06)

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