Registered Strength and Conditioning Coaches

The CSCS is the credential that signifies you have passed the CSCS certification exam and maintained the necessary continuing education requirements per 3-year recertification period.

The RSCC is an extra step beyond the CSCS, as it signifies that a CSCS Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach has met specified higher standards for team-based professional and practical experience in the strength and conditioning profession. Every RSCC Coach participates in annual training and assessments beyond what is required of their peers and is held to the highest standards of practice in the profession.   

Being accepted into the RSCC program requires verified employment as an assigned full-time Strength and Conditioning Coach, for at least two (2) years above the internship and graduate assistant levels, in any of the following qualifying team training environment(s):

1. Professional Team Settings
2. National Team Programs
3. High School / College / University Athletic Programs
4. Private / Club Sport Programs 
5. Tactical Settings (Law Enforcement, Fire Rescue, and Military)
   
   

Please see, “What does it mean to be employed as an ‘assigned full-time strength and conditioning coach’, as defined by the RSCC Program?” for more clarity on program eligibility. 

Every RSCC must be actively involved with a team (or multiple teams) on a comprehensive full-time basis. Full-time status is defined to include aspects of daily practice, warm-up, on-field work, weight room coverage, games / competitions, meetings with coaches / administrators, and availability as a mentor to athletes and / or staff during non-practice / non-competition times. The NSCA will assess each candidate’s status using these criteria. 

Please see “Is the RSCC available to Athletic Trainers or Physical Therapists?” for more clarity on “assigned” and “designated” coaching roles.

The primary goal of the RSCC program is to distinguish between full-time exclusive (primary) role strength and conditioning coaches and other professionals who may hold the CSCS credential. ATCs, PTs, and other medical professionals are encouraged to apply if their exclusive strength and conditioning coaching experience is within the scope of the program. For further clarity, while dual / multi-certification is allowed, hybrid coach-therapist roles do not qualify under RSCC experience requirements.

The RSCC program is exclusive to designated full-time strength and conditioning coaches who work in qualifying team sport settings.

Yes, assigned full-time strength and conditioning coaches in tactical settings, with at least two (2) years of experience, are qualified for the RSCC program. We consider the military, police, and fire rescue “team sports” for the purposes of the program.   

Specific areas of liability for anyone that supervises a strength and conditioning program are:  1. Pre-participation screening and clearance;  2. Personnel qualifications;  3. Program supervision and instruction;  4. Facility and equipment setup, inspection, maintenance, repair and signage;  5. Emergency planning and response;  6. Records and record keeping;  7. Equal opportunity and access;  8. Participation in strength and conditioning activities by children;  and 9. Supplements, ergogenic aids and drugs.

Previous work experience must be documented and verified. This may be possible by your current supervisor in special circumstances. Please contact an RSCC Program representative to apply for special consideration – Email: RSCC@NSCA.com.

Experience as a masters or doctoral level graduate assistant will not qualify under the coaching experience requirements for the RSCC. Similarly, volunteer and/or paid internships do not count as qualifying experience.

RSCC designees must complete the Annual Assessment Course and Quiz by December 31st to maintain active status in the RSCC Program and remain on the RSCC Directory. If there is a lapse in active status, due to failure to complete the annual renewal process, RSCC designees may return to active status by completing the missed Annual Assessment Courses and emailing RSCC@NSCA.com.

There is no time limit. Your Quiz is not “official” until you hit the submit button. If you begin but cannot finish, you may return later to take it again. However, partially completed quizzes will not be saved and you will need to start over from question #1. For peace of mind, you are encouraged to print or write down your answers to keep record of your progress if you lose your place.

Completion of the RSCC Annual Assessment Course will provide 0.5 CEUs annually towards your CSCS.

Failure to score 70% or higher will require a second attempt. For each attempt, you are required to re-add the quiz to your cart and complete a transaction. However, you will not be charged for additional quiz attempts.

RSCC renewal certificates will be emailed in January after the Annual Assessment Period. New RSCC’s will be emailed a certificate upon acceptance into the program. Recently promoted RSCC*D and RSCC*E’s will be emailed a certificate after submitting an RSCC Upgrade Form.

To search for RSCC status use the RSCC Directory linked from NSCA Website.