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Back to Athlete Representatives Resource Center

Authorized Athlete Representatives - FAQ

  1. Why should I become a USATF Authorized Athlete Representative?

    Anyone who wants to assist U.S. athletes in planning, arranging, and negotiating their athletics competition programs must be registered with World Athletics and must be a USATF Authorized Athlete Representative.
     

  2. What are the requirements to become a USATF Authorized Athlete Representative?

    Prospective USATF Authorized Athlete Representatives will need to:

    1. Submit an annual application.
    2. Pay the annual application fee/membership dues.
    3. Pass an annual criminal background screen, as directed by USATF.
    4. Complete SafeSport Training Course.
    5. Attend at least one (1) USATF Authorized Athlete Representative educational seminar each year.
    6. Attend the USATF Exam Preparation Course.
    7. Pass the World Athletics Athlete Representative Exam.
    8. Pass the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative Exam.
    9. Obtain professional liability insurance and/or a fidelity bond, as directed by USATF.
  3. When will the annual application be available and do I have to fill one out every year?

    The annual 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. Since there may be changes in the application each year, it is imperative that each applicant submit a current application for consideration each year. 
     

  4. When will I be able to take the World Athletics Athlete Representative Exam?

    World Athletics has sole control over the dates the Exam is offered. When each exam date is released by World Athletics, USATF will post that information on our website and will provide the Exam date to all prospective applicants.
     

  5. How is the World Athletics Athlete Representative Exam set up, and what classifies a “passing grade”?

    World Athletics Athlete Representatives Exam description can be found at https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/athlete-representatives.
     

  6. Where can I find study materials for the World Athletics Athlete Representative Exam?

    World Athletics supplies the necessary study materials for its Exam in advance of the Exam. They can be found at https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/athlete-representatives.
     

  7. When will I be able to take the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative Exam?

    The USATF Authorized Athlete Representative Exam is generally given in conjunction with the USATF Annual Meeting each year. Once a date is set for the Exam, we will post the date on this website and email the details to our prospective applicants.
     

  8. How is the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative Exam set up, and what classifies a “passing grade”?

    The USATF Authorized Athlete Representative Exam is an open-book 2 hour exam that contains 50 short answer or multiple choice questions. Participants must score an 80 percent or higher to pass the Exam.
     

  9. What books can I use during the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative Exam?

    USATF will provide a book for the Exam that has materials from several different sources (anti-doping, World Athletics regulations, USATF regulations, etc.) which you may then use during the Exam. All of the answers to the questions on the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative Exam can be found in the book; however, you are welcome to use any other resources you wish to use. Our goal is to ensure that you know where to go to find the answers you need to assist U.S. athletes – using any and/or all of the resources available to you. Prior exam books can be found in the Resources Section.
     

  10. Where can I find study materials for the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative Exam?

    The link to the materials can be found in the Resources Section.
     

  11. How often do I have to take the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative and World Athletics Athlete Representative Exams?

    So long as you maintain your authorization on a continual basis, both Exams only have to be passed once.
     

  12. What is the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative educational seminar?

    The USATF Authorized Athlete Representative educational seminars provide the latest information available from USATF’s High Performance department, USADA, World Athletics and others. These seminars provide a forum for USATF Authorized Athlete Representatives (and current applicants) to learn more about the programs and offerings available to U.S. athletes during a given year; any procedural changes that will impact the group that year; latest trends/issues/key information; and meet new personnel.
     

  13. Who can attend the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative educational seminars?

    Only prospective USATF Authorized Athlete Representatives with an application on file or those who are already a USATF Authorized Athlete Representative may attend the USATF educational seminars.
     

  14. When are the USATF Authorized Athlete Representative educational seminars offered and how long do they last?

    The USATF Authorized Athlete Representative educational seminars are generally provided at both the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships (or Olympic Track & Field Team Trials during Olympic Years) and the USATF Annual Meeting each year. The educational seminars vary in length depending upon the agenda; however, they usually last approximately 4 hours.
     

  15. Do I have to attend both seminars?

    No, each USATF Authorized Athlete Representative (or current applicant) must attend only one (1) educational seminar each calendar year.
     

  16. When will I have to fill out the information for the background screen?

    Upon submission of an application and your membership dues, USATF will notify you if you are required to complete a background screen. This is completed through your USATF Connect account. Current USATF Authorized Athlete Representatives must complete a background screen every two (2) years.
     

  17. How do I complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport Training Course?
    In order to complete the training course, please access your USATF Connect account to begin the process. Additional instructions can be found here.
     

  18. Will the background screen cost me money and how much?

    No. The background screen fee is included in your membership dues.
     

  19. Why do I need professional liability insurance and/or a fidelity bond and how do I obtain it?

    Pursuant to World Athletics Athlete Regulation, Chapter 5.2 and USATF Regulation 25 governing Authorized Athlete Representatives, all USATF Authorized Athlete Representative must maintain a professional liability policy to adequately cover any risks that may arise from any 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 membership dues.
     

  20. How much is the annual application/membership dues?

    The annual membership dues will be noted on the application released each year, and are subject to change at the discretion of the National Office Management.
     

    NOTE: Any new/prospective applicants who are not authorized by USATF, are still subject to the application fee. If an applicant is not authorized, he/she may request a refund of their membership dues no later than March 1 following notice of non-authorization (membership dues paid - application fee = return to the applicant).
     

  21. What other benefits come with my authorization?
    1. Access to USATF’s Competition Rules and Elite Athlete Handbook, if applicable.
    2. Annual USATF membership.
    3. USATF's quarterly Authorized Athlete Representative Newsletter.
    4. USATF's Authorized Athlete Representative ID card.
    5. Listing in USATF’s Elite Athlete Handbook, if applicable.
    6. USA Indoor Championships - Credential, heat sheets and results, shuttle bus access.
    7. USA Outdoor Championships (or, if applicable, Olympic Trials) - Credential, heat sheet and results, shuttle bus access.
    8. Other mailings, if applicable.
  22. What if I have an athlete ranked in the World Athletics World Top 30 list?

    USATF is required to report to World Athletics those USATF Authorized Athlete Representatives who represent U.S. athletes ranked in the World Athletics World Top 30 lists. Each such Authorized Athlete Representative is required to submit the required paperwork to USATF when requested. These forms will be available with the application each year and due on January 1.
     

    Further, those USATF Authorized Athlete Representatives who represent athletes ranked in the World Athletics World Top 30 lists have the opportunity to apply for annual World Athletics registration at an additional cost.

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