Becoming an Official Information
No swim meet is able to run without a large amount of volunteers. Becoming an official is one of the ways you can help your athlete and your team. ASTS is part of the Potomac Valley Swimming LSC. PVS provides free training and apprenticeships to any individual willing to train to become an official.
Becoming a PVS Official requires the completion of two main processes: becoming a registered official member of USA Swimming and completing a certification or training program.
USA Swimming Registration consists of four parts:
- Registering with USA Swimming as a non-athlete, official member (annual fee $70)
- Completing a background check (every two-year requirement) costing approximately $38 for a new or lapsed background check or $18 for returning officials)
- Completing Athlete Protection Training (annual requirement)
- Completing Concussion Protocol Training (one-time requirement)
* Currently, PVS offers reimbursement of registration and background check costs for officials who volunteer at a minimum of 10 sessions each year after their first year of officiating.
USA Swimming Certification or Training
To officiate at a meet, you need to complete a certification or training program. Recent USA Swimming legislation has approved the following Certification Programs. PVS Also offers two training programs to enable volunteers to gain expertise with our electronic timing system as well as running the computer at a meet.
Certification Programs
- Stroke and Turn Judge (entry level position)
- Starter
- Chief Judge
- Referee
- Administrative Official (entry level position)
Training Programs (not for certification)
* Recommended for anyone doing the Administrative Official certification.
Additional Information (As of September 2024)
The Computer Operator and Timing System Operator training is available via the Potomac Valley Swimming (www.pvswim.org) website under the Officials Training tab. These 2 training programs are available as self-paced training.
The Stroke and Turn Judge certification program is available via an online course on the USA Swimming website. This certification program is a self-paced training. The online training must be completed before the apprenticeship part of the program can be started.
The Starter, Chief Judge, Administrative Official, and Referee Certification Programs are available via online clinics. The schedule for these online clinics is available on the Potomac Valley Swimming (www.pvswim.org) website under the Officials Clinics tab. Pre-registration for these clinics are required. The online clinic must be completed before the apprenticeship part of the program can be started.
PVS Official Chair: Barb Ship [email protected]
ASTS Official Chair: Shayla Moore [email protected]
