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H.R. 9527House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

STRONG Act

Sponsored by Burgess OwensRep. Burgess Owens (R-UT)
Introduced June 29, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated July 2, 2026 at 12:33 PM UTC

The STRONG Act requires the Office of Management and Budget to review the federal occupational classification system and create a separate code for strength and conditioning coaches, recognizing their unique training and role with athletes, first responders, military personnel, and others. By adding this code, the bill aims to improve data collection and accurately reflect the profession, distinguishing it from related occupations like athletic trainers or physical therapists. If the OMB chooses not to add the code, it must report its reasons to the relevant congressional committees. No new money is provided for the effort.

Key Provisions

  • Directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider adding a distinct Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for strength and conditioning coaches in the next SOC revision, placing them under the “Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations” group.
  • If OMB decides not to create the new code, it must submit a report within 30 days of the SOC revision to the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs explaining the decision.
  • Specifies that no additional funding is authorized for implementing the Act.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

June 29, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 29, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

June 29, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 29, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9527

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 29, 2026

Mr. Owens introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

A BILL

To require the Office of Management and Budget to consider revising the Standard Occupational Classification system to establish a separate code for strength and conditioning coaches, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Support accurate and Thorough data collection and Recognition of Our Nation’s Growing number of strength and conditioning coaches Act or the STRONG Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

Strength and conditioning coaches work with athletes, law enforcement, first responders, members of the United States military, and other physically active individuals to improve physical performance and minimize the risk of injury. Strength and conditioning coaches apply unique training and skills in the following ways:

(A)

Assess, motivate, educate, and train athletes to improve sport performance.

(B)

Conduct general physical and sport-specific testing sessions.

(C)

Design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs.

(D)

Provide guidance for athletes and other active individuals in physical preparation and injury prevention.

(2)

Through the support of strength and conditioning coaches, athletes, law enforcement, first responders, and members of the United States military are less likely to experience serious injuries and are able to recover more quickly from injuries.

(3)

Strength and conditioning coaches have a specific combination of education, experience, and certification that is unique to strength and conditioning coaches and differs from other occupations, including—

(A)

for all college and university, professional sports teams, and United States government positions, a nationally accredited certification;

(B)

standards of a minimum of 300 hours supervised internship or field experience;

(C)

abiding by a professional code of ethics that is specific to strength and conditioning coaches; and

(D)

the earning of a bachelor’s degree.

(4)

The Standard Occupational Classification system is designed and maintained solely for statistical purposes, and is used by Federal statistical agencies to classify workers and jobs into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, analyzing, or disseminating data.

(5)

Occupations in the Standard Occupational Classification system are classified based on work performed and, in some cases, on the skills, education, or training needed to perform the work.

(6)

Establishing a discrete occupational category for strength and conditioning coaches will—

(A)

correct an inaccurate representation in the Standard Occupational Classification system;

(B)

recognize these professionals for the specialized work they perform with athletes, law enforcement, first responders, and members of the United States military, which is different than the work of an athletic trainer or physical therapist; and

(C)

better align the Standard Occupational Classification system with related classification systems.

3.

Revision of standard occupational classification system

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, as part of the first revision of the Standard Occupational Classification system occurring after the date of enactment of this Act, consider revising the Standard Occupational Classification system to establish a separate code for strength and conditioning coaches as a detailed occupation within the group Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations.

4.

Report to Congress

If, after carrying out section 3, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget decides not to establish a separate code for strength and conditioning coaches in the Standard Occupational Classification system, the Director shall, not later than 30 days after the first revision of the Standard Occupational Classification system occurring after the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate explaining the decision to not establish such a separate code.

5.

No new funds

No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.