Skilled and dedicated volunteer coaches are the most important aspect of the Minnesota Cycling Association. A coach puts the safety and overall well-being of their student-athletes as the first priority. MCA coaches are role models and teachers who are open to learning the best practices of youth mountain bike coaching and actively work to hone their leadership skills.
All coaches are required to obtain a coach license at one of three levels:
- Level 1 Certification: Assists all coaches as directed by the head coach.
- Level 2 Certification: Assists level 3 coaches with advanced tasks such as leading rides.
- Level 3 Certification: Takes a leadership role within the team. Equivalent competencies as head coach.
The path to becoming an MCA coach generally begins with volunteering for your local team, or attending a Spring Summit and Mountain Bike Skills. Other volunteer opportunities with the MCA exist if coaching is not your primary interest.
We welcome women to become coaches!
Women are a growing presence in the MCA—currently 23% of coaches.
Please submit all Coach Licensing questions to (coaching@minnesotacycling.org)
Reminder for coaches: Log in to CCN to sign up for MCA classes (eg. Mountain Bike Skills),
to complete your coaching requirements, and to register for MCA events (eg. Spring Summit).
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Renewal requirement | |
| Background Check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual* |
| Waiver/Participation Agreement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual* |
| NFHS Abuse Awareness Training (also accept Safe Sport.org) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual* |
| CDC Concussion Training (also accept NFHS, NAYS, IMPACT) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual* |
| Coach Licensing Fee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual* |
| Youth Development Through Cycling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Annual* |
| First Aid (American Red Cross Basic First Aid, equivalent or greater certification, hybrid or in-person only) | N | ✓ | ✓ | As licensed by provider |
| CPR (AHA, hybrid or in-person only, or approved provider) | N | ✓ | ✓ | As licensed by provider |
| MCA Spring Summit for New Coaches*** | N | N | ✓ | Once |
| Field Work Hours | N/A | 20 | 80 | Once |
| Continuing Education Units (every 3 years) | N/A | 3 | 6 | – |
| Mountain Bike Skills 1: Essentials** | N | Y | Y | Once |
| Mountain Bike Skills 2: Intermediate | N | N | N | Optional |
| Mountain Bike Skills 3: Advanced | N | N | N | Optional |
Submit coach licensing certificates here
*Annual means that you have a valid certificate throughout the duration of the MCA season. The MCA season ends on Oct 31, 2022. Any certification for an annual requirement that expires on or after that date is valid.
**We are now accepting Level 1 from Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP) in lieu of our MBS 1 class
***Even if you are a returning Level 1 or 2 coach, the Spring Summit for New Coaches is required for a Level 3 certification