Prospective Athlete Representatives

Please be advised that the processing of your application (including conducting the mandatory criminal background screening) may take several months.

Approximate Timeline (Dates are subject to change)

Requirements

The required steps for becoming a USATF-authorized Athlete Representative include the following (also outlined in Regulation 25 of the USATF Governance Handbook):

1. Submit annual application:
   • The application is released in approximately September of each year.
   • The application will be available on this website and will be emailed to everyone on our mailing list as soon as it is released.
   • A current application is required. For current USATF-authorized Athlete Representatives, USATF will accept a signed application noting only updates or changes from the prior year’s application (in lieu of completing the entire application).
2. Pay the annual application fee/membership dues:
   • The annual membership dues will be noted on the application released each year.
   • The application fee and membership dues for 2020 are $1350 (which includes the mandatory prep course and the required insurance coverage).
   • Membership benefits include:
     • Access to USATF’s Competition Rules and Elite Athlete Handbook, if applicable
     • USATF's quarterly Athlete Representative Newsletter
     • USATF Authorized Athlete Representative ID Card
     • Annual USATF membership
     • USA Indoor Championships - Credential, heat sheets and results, shuttle bus access
     • USA Outdoor Championships (or, if applicable, Olympic Trials) - Credential, heat sheet and results, shuttle bus access
     • Other mailings, if applicable
3. Obtain professional liability insurance and/or a fidelity bond:
   • Pursuant to IAAF Athlete Regulations, Chapter 6.1 and USATF Regulation 25 governing Athlete Representatives, all USATF-authorized Athlete Representatives must maintain a professional liability policy to adequately cover any risks that may arise from an Athlete Representative’s activities.
   • In an effort to provide a cost effective option for this coverage, USATF has purchased a group professional liability insurance policy in which all USATF-authorized Athlete Representatives are required to participate.
   • The premium for this policy is included in the annual Athlete Representative membership dues.
4. Pass a criminal background screen as directed by USATF:

   USATF-authorized Athlete Representatives must renew their criminal background screen online every two (2) years.

   Convictions for, disclosures of convictions for, and pending dispositions for any of the following crimes, and disclosures for any listed sanctions will prompt a determination that an applicant does not meet the criminal background screening criteria and a red light determination will be issued:

   • Any felony including an element of violence or of a sexual nature regardless of the amount of time since the offense, and any non-violent felony within the past five (5) years
     • Defined on the basis of exposure for the offense for which the defendant was convicted, pled guilty or pled nolo contendere. If pled down, then the crime to which the defendant ultimately pled.
     • Defined as all crimes punishable by greater than one (1) year in jail or prison, regardless of how characterized by jurisdiction. If range, alternate sentencing, or indeterminate sentencing, outer range >one (1) year.
   • Any lesser crime involving force or threat of force against a person within the last ten (10) years.
   • Any crime in which sexual relations is an element, including “victimless” crimes of a sexual nature (including, but not limited to, pornography, lewd conduct, and indecent exposure) within the last ten (10) years.
   • Any lesser crime involving controlled substances (not paraphernalia or alcohol) within the last five (5) years.
   • Any lesser crime involving cruelty to animals within the last ten (10) years.
   • Any sex offender registrant.
   • Any crime involving financial misappropriation including, but not limited to, embezzlement, fraud, extortion, and theft within the last ten (10) years.
   • Any individual that is currently not in good standing (sanctioned) with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) or who has received a sanction by USADA within the last ten (10) years
5. SafeSport:
   • In order to be authorized for 2020 you must complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport Core Training.
   • For the safety of our athletes, particularly our youth athletes, USA Track & Field has committed to providing a safe environment in which our athletes compete and train. We believe this is paramount to the success of all our programs. All USATF authorized Athlete Representatives are required to complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport Core Training.
   • The U.S. Center for SafeSport Core Training can be found here.
6. Attend at least one (1) USATF Athlete Representative educational seminar each year: 
   • Beginning with the year preceding your first year of authorization.
   • There are NO exceptions to this requirement. Whether you are hoping to be authorized for the first time in the following year, or if you have been authorized for 10 years, you MUST attend a USATF educational seminar every year.
7. Attend the USATF Exam Preparation Course:
   • If you have not already passed the USATF Exam, you must attend the exam prep course.
   • The exam prep course will be given in conjunction with the USATF Annual Meeting each year (there will not be a separate registration for this course).
8. Pass the IAAF Athlete Representative Exam:
   • Every applicant must pass the IAAF Athlete Representative Exam in order to be authorized as an Athlete Representative, unless otherwise exempt
   • The IAAF has sole control over the dates this exam is offered; however, the exam has been given in conjunction with the USATF Annual Meeting in the past.
   • Once an applicant has passed the IAAF Athlete Representative exam, there is no need to take the exam again unless the Athlete Representative allows his/her authorization to lapse. After such time, the IAAF may require that the applicant take and pass the IAAF Athlete Representative Exam again.
   • Additional details about the exam will be provided to new applicants once a completed application is received
   • Additional information about the IAAF Athlete Representative exam can be found here.
9. Pass the USATF Athlete Representative exam:
   • This exam is only given in conjunction with the USATF Annual Meeting each year.
   • Once a date is set for the exam, USATF will post the date on this website and email the details to those individuals on USATF’s prospective Athlete Representative mailing list.
   • Once an applicant has passed the USATF Athlete Representative exam, there is no need to take the exam again unless the Athlete Representative allows his/her authorization to lapse. After such time, USATF may require that the applicant take and pass the USATF Athlete Representative exam again.
   • Additional details about the exam will be provided to new applicants once a completed application is received.
   • Additional information about the USATF Athlete Representative exam can be found here.
10. Attend one (1) IAAF Education Seminar every four (4) years. 
    • There are NO exceptions to this requirement.
11. Must maintain IAAF Authorization at all times.
    • It is the responsibility of Authorized Athlete Representatives to abide by all IAAF policies and procedures, including IAAF Athletes' Representative Regulations, in order to maintain IAAF Authorization at all times.