LAKE NONA, Fla –  The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) has formally submitted its application for accreditation to the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Since 1927, USPTA has been the world’s leader in the certification of tennis-teaching professionals.

According to the USTA, the goal of the new accreditation program is to set mandatory standards for the development of those new to the profession and it will also include on-going coaching education for all certified professionals who are members of accredited organizations.

“We are excited to partner with the USTA as we continue to develop tennis-teaching professionals and coaches, said USPTA CEO John Embree. “Our core mission at the USPTA is elevating the standards of tennis instruction. Accreditation with the USTA will offer the opportunity for collaboration between the two organizations and solidify USPTA as the leader in the tennis-teaching education across the United States.”

This past December, the USTA announced the creation of a tennis coaching accreditation program for organizations and institutions that certify U. S. tennis professionals.

“The USTA has developed a set of criteria and specific accreditation guidelines in this program with the aim of setting uniform standards for coaches and improving the level of instruction for tennis programs nationwide,” said Scott Schultz, Managing Director, USTA-U. “By aligning our efforts with those coaching associations willing to uphold the standards, we will work together to ensure a consistently high level of coaching which will directly support the developmental needs of all levels of players in our sport.”