The United States Professional Tennis Association introduces a new classification with its Accredited Professional Coach designation. The APC credential is earned and retained through mandatory continuing education and is valuable to not only those who attain it, but also to employers, the public and the tennis-teaching profession itself.

The APC is an excellent professional growth and development opportunity for you because the knowledge, skills and abilities tested are building blocks for your career.

It demonstrates a tennis teacher's commitment to career-based education in such knowledge areas of tennis as, teaching skills, sport science and business concepts. The APC designation also demonstrates a commitment to professional excellence and ethical conduct. The skills acquired through mandatory education are applicable to all tennis industry areas.

To become an APC

A USPTA member must be certified at a Professional level (P-1, P-2, or P-3) or be a Master Professional, and earn 20 APC designated continuing education units over a two-year period. Members must also take the Professional Tennis Coaches Academy I (PTCA I) course and pass a competency exam at 80 percent or higher. Members may take the course in person during a certification exam and then take the online exam ($75), use the study material on their own and then take the online exam ($50) or take the online PTCA I course and then take the online exam ($50). The PTCA I and competency exam are one-time requirements. Members do not need to take the PTCA I every two years. APC CEUs can be earned through numerous USPTA- and industry-sponsored activities and through outside certifications, and online coursework. APCs must continue to earn 20 APC CEUs every two years to maintain their accreditation.

Why Accredited Professional Coach?

·         Career enhancement - The APC designation reflects a strong commitment to the profession. Earning accreditation also provides a distinction that can set individuals apart and open doors to career advancement and higher compensation.

·         Positive image for tennis teachers - Our profession and its image will benefit as more people inside and outside our industry become aware of this continuing education accreditation process and the professional standards linked to it. It will focus on the specific skills and expertise required to teach tennis, run a tennis business and develop players and programs.

The Accredited Professional Coach designation proves your commitment learning the multitude of tennis- and business-related knowledge, skills and abilities required to manage, supervise, teach and coach tennis effectively in today's industry.

How it works

Members attending USPTA education activities will have to document their attendance by doing the following:

·         Attendance forms - All members will receive a verification form when arriving at a seminar or course. The form will require members to write the seminar/course number, their name, presenter's name, and they will have the ability to rate the seminar/course.

·         Getting credits - The form will then be turned in at the end of the seminar/course. The forms will be available as members arrive and must be turned in as members leave. If members arrive late or leave early, then they will not receive credit for attending.

·         Earning the APC designation - Once members have accumulated 20 APC credits in a two-year period, they will earn the APC designation. Members will then have two years to earn 20 APC credits and retain the APC designation. If at any point during the two-year period members earn 20 APC credits, then the two-year period will reset and they will have two years from that point to earn the 20 APC credits needed to retain the designation.

·         What activities qualify - All USPTA division conferences and the World Conference will qualify for APC credits through the use of the form. Other activities and events where members can verify their attendance will also qualify. If the activity/event does not have a mechanism of verifying members' attendance it will not qualify. USPTA's Education Department must be able to verify members were physically present at the specific seminar/course/activity/event in order to receive credits. Merely being registered at a conference will not qualify members for credits. Members must attend seminars/courses, and have their attendance verified in order to receive credits. Members can use the USPTA form for allied organization events, but must have the organizing person or entity verify the attendance on the form. There may be times at division activities/events when the official form may not be distributed and a roster may be used instead. (Note: Not all activities/events will qualify.)

·         Responsibility - It will be the responsibility of the divisions (for division activities/events) or the World Headquarters (for national events) to distribute and collect the appropriate verification forms. At all times and no matter what form of verification is used, it is the responsibility of members to make sure they follow the proper procedures and their attendance is verified.

·         Receiving the APC designation - Once members earn the APC designation, they can access a new certificate and membership card from www.uspta.com in the Member's area. The certificate and membership card will have the corresponding expiration date on them.

Contact the USPTA Education Department at education@uspta.org with any other questions.