August 2010 -- I hope this correspondence finds each of you deep into your summer programs. Many of you are aware that I have mentioned at several division conferences that USPTA has been working to establish a segment of our membership classifications that would include mandatory continuing education. That time is here and I would like to introduce a new membership classification – Accredited Professional Coach. This classification will become effective Jan. 1, 2011.

The APC fits all of our Professional level certification classifications from Professional 3 through Master Professional, and requires continuing education in order to maintain this designation. This distinctive membership classification provides an opportunity to demonstrate one’s expertise and is designed for those who spend time updating their tennis industry education. Once members achieve this distinction, they will be issued a special certificate with an expiration date. The designation will be added after your professional rating. For example, it will look like John Doe, Pro 3, APC; Joan Doe, Pro 2, APC; John Smith, Pro 1, APC; and Joan Smith, Master Professional, APC.

The APC is earned by accumulating 20 continuing education units within a two-year period. Continuing education opportunities include attending USPTA seminars, worth one half CEU each. Some examples are:

• Attendees of the USPTA World Conference can receive 12 CEUs for attending 24 hours of seminars.
• Attendees of a USPTA division convention can receive 4 units for attending eight hours of seminars.

CEUs may also be earned by attending USPTA specialty courses, completing USTA Sport Science Exams, USTA High Performance education, off-site DVD seminars, CPR certification, USRSA certification, USPTA Competitive Player Development Workshops, and other educational opportunities that may be submitted for review by the USPTA Education Committee.

While the APC classification does not become effective until Jan. 1, members desiring to attain it may begin earning continuing education credits by attending specialty courses at this year’s World Conference.

In order to apply for this new membership classification, a USPTA member must already have been certified at the Professional level and will need to take the PTCA I and pass a competency exam at the 80th percentile or better mark. Those who have already taken the PTCA I and scored 80 percent or higher do not have to retake it.

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 help diminish the image of “ball basher” and focus on the specific skills and expertise required to teach tennis, run a tennis business, and develop players and programs.

I think we can all agree that continuing education is a good thing with valuable benefits. And with our tennis industry progressing at such a rapid rate, this education will allow the USPTA tennis professional to be more in touch with all the information that is available.

In closing, I would like to invite all of our members to take advantage of the upcoming USPTA World Conference. This year we will be in the Palm Springs, Calif., area at the La Quinta Resort & Spa. For those of you who have not attended a USPTA World Conference before, I am sure you will enjoy everything it has to offer – from the education, to the business networking, to the social camaraderie. I hope to see you there!