The STRONG ACT
The NSCA supports the STRONG Act as part of its ongoing work to advance recognition, accurate workforce data, and professional standards for strength and conditioning coaches.
Help Strength and Conditioning Coaches Gain the Federal Recognition Their Profession Has Earned
Representative Burgess Owens has introduced the STRONG Act (Support Accurate and Thorough Data Collection and Recognition of Our Nation's Growing Number of Strength and Conditioning Coaches Act). The bill would direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider creating a dedicated Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for strength and conditioning coaches instead of grouping our profession under broader occupational categories.
A dedicated SOC classification would help provide more accurate workforce data and better reflect the education, certification, and responsibilities required of strength and conditioning coaches.
“Strength and conditioning professionals play a critical role in improving performance, reducing injury risk, and supporting the long-term health of athletes, first responders and military personnel. The STRONG Act recognizes the specialized education, certification, and professional standards required in this field. Because of its impact, it should be recognized and supported as a legitimate career pathway. I fully support this bill.”
Trevor Short, PhD, CPSS, CSCS
Senior Associate Athletics Director for Health, Wellness, and Performance, Utah State University
“Strength and conditioning coaches are essential members of the locker room and community, helping athletes maximize performance, enhance durability, and meet the demands of elite competition. The STRONG Act acknowledges the expertise, education, and professional standards required to effectively serve athletes, tactical, and active populations. Recognizing strength and conditioning coaches as a profession is an important step toward advancing the field and supporting the individuals dedicated to improving human performance. I am proud to support this legislation.”
Devan McConnell, CPSS, CSCS
High Performance Director, NHL Utah Mammoth
How You Can Help
Step 1: Find your U.S. Representative.Step 2: Copy and personalize the message below.Step 3: Send it through your Representative's contact form.
Letter to Your Member of Congress
I am a constituent and a member of the strength and conditioning profession. I ask that you support and co-sponsor the STRONG Act (H.R.9527).Strength and conditioning coaches are highly trained professionals who help athletes, military personnel, first responders, and other active populations improve physical performance while reducing the risk of injury. Many coaches hold advanced degrees, nationally accredited certifications, and complete extensive supervised coaching experience before entering the profession.
Despite these qualifications, strength and conditioning coaches are currently grouped under broad occupational classifications that do not accurately reflect the profession's education, responsibilities, or workforce.
The STRONG Act would direct the Office of Management and Budget to consider establishing a dedicated Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for strength and conditioning coaches during the next revision of the SOC system. This is a data-driven measure that would improve workforce tracking, career planning, research, and education without creating new federal spending.
Recognizing strength and conditioning coaches as a distinct profession is an important step toward accurately representing the work performed every day by thousands of professionals who serve schools, colleges, professional sports organizations, military personnel, first responders, and communities across the country.
I respectfully ask that you support and co-sponsor the STRONG Act. Thank you for your time and your consideration.
Sincerely,[Your Name][City, State][Profession/Organization (optional)]
Thank You
Strength and conditioning coaches have spent decades building athletes, supporting military personnel and first responders, reducing injury risk, and advancing human performance. Now we have an opportunity to help advance the profession itself.
Taking a few minutes to contact your Representative is one small action that can help demonstrate the importance of strength and conditioning coaches across the United States. If you know another coach who cares about the future of this profession, please share this page with them. Together, we can help ensure strength and conditioning coaches receive the recognition our profession has earned.
“The American Physical Therapy Association endorses the STRONG Act and thanks Rep. Owens’ sponsorship of the bill,” said APTA president Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD, “APTA and NSCA have a shared commitment to the clients and athletes our professions both serve. This legislation will assist in providing needed workforce data to assist with workforce planning and development.”
American Physical Therapy Association
“The National Athletic Trainers’ Association stands alongside the National Strength and Conditioning Association in support of the STRONG Act and appreciates Congressman Owens’ leadership on this effort. This workforce initiative will provide valuable data to help strengthen, support and advance human performance and athlete outcomes.”
National Athletic Trainers’ Association
“The National Strength and Conditioning Association enthusiastically supports the STRONG Act. This legislation would recognize the vital work that strength and conditioning coaches do with athletes, law enforcement, first responders, members of the United States military and other active individuals to improve physical performance and minimize the risk of injury. Strength and conditioning coaches are a unique occupation deserving of inclusion in the Standard Occupational Classification system and we appreciate Congressman Owens’ leadership on this issue.”
National Strength and Conditioning Association
“On behalf of the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) at the University of Connecticut, we are pleased to express our support for the Strengthening Recognition of Occupations for National Growth (STRONG) Act, legislation that would encourage the federal government to establish a dedicated occupational classification for strength and conditioning coaches within the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system... As an organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based strategies that improve safety and performance, KSI recognizes the critical role strength and conditioning coaches play in protecting the health and well-being of physically active individuals. The STRONG Act represents an important opportunity to recognize the professional expertise, qualifications, and contributions of strength and conditioning coaches and to ensure that occupational classifications more accurately reflect their role within our nation's health, performance, and safety infrastructure.”
Korey Stringer Institute - University of Connecticut
In Congressman Owens' own words: "After spending 10 seasons in the NFL, culminating in a Super Bowl Championship, I understand the grit, hard work, and determination it takes to compete at the highest levels. Every step of the way, the men and women responsible for our physical performance were as specialized and essential as any coach on the staff. Strength and conditioning coaches are far more than fitness instructors. They hold advanced degrees, nationally accredited certifications, and hundreds of hours of supervised experience. They build athletes and champions. They build warfighters and first responders. They ensure everyone they serve can perform at the top of their game. The STRONG Act costs the taxpayer nothing and delivers long-overdue recognition to a profession that has earned it."
Congressman Burgess Owens
Primary Sponsor of the STRONG Act
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