Officials Training
The following document contains answers to FAQs regarding the USA Swimming LSC Officials Certification process:
USA Swimming LSC Officials Certification FAQs
Most courses for Certification and Recertification are taught online by USA Swimming. Should you have any questions about this information, please do not hesitate to contact Kirstin Oppel.
PLEASE NOTE: USA SWIMMING CERTIFICATION & RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS CHANGED AS OF FEBRUARY 1ST, 2024. THE TRAINING MATERIALS AND THIS WEBSITE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED. THERE ARE NO MAJOR CHANGES FOR THE IOWA LSC EXCEPT FOR REFEREE (NEW REFEREES ARE NOW REQUIRED TO BE CERTIFIED ADMIN OFFICIALS BEFORE STARTING THE REFEREE CERTIFICATION PROCESS).
Iowa Introduction to Officiating
This is an overview of how officiating works within USA Swimming. It isn’t mandatory, but it is highly recommended that you view Iowa’s Introduction to Officiating Clinic or attend a live session.
Stroke and Turn:
Taught through USA Swimming University. You must take the Foundations of Officiating and the Stroke and Turn Certification Course. Follow the steps outlined in the How to become an Iowa Swimming Official section below to begin the process.
ST Officials need to take the Stroke and Turn Certification Course to meet their recertification requirements (required every three years).
Administrative Official:
Taught through USA Swimming University. This is the second class for anyone interested in becoming an Administrative Official. You must take the Foundations of Officiating and Administrative Official Certification Course. Follow the steps outlined in the How to become an Iowa Swimming Official section below to begin the process.
Individuals who are already AOs need to take the Administrative Official Certification Course to meet their recertification requirements (required every three years).
Starter:
In addition to being an ST for a minimum of 3 months, this course requires having worked at least 4 sessions at a minimum of 2 meets since ST certification, before apprenticing as a starter. The Starter Certification Course is taught through USA Swimming University.
Current starters need to take this class to renew their certification. (required every 3 years).
Referee:
To become a Referee, an Official must be a certified Administrative Official and Starter and must take a Referee Clinic and Test before apprenticing as a referee. If you are intersted in becoming a Referee, please contact the Officials Chair.
Current Referees may use the Referee Recertification Exam availabe through USA Swimming University to renew their certification. (required every three years)
CJ
This class is required in addition to working 16 sessions as a certified ST before apprenticing as a CJ.
Top 10 reasons to become a Swim Official
10 - Officials are needed and required to conduct swim meets.
9 - Officials get the “best seat in the house”
8 - There is often a hospitality room for coaches and officials.
7 - You will be working with a great group of people.
6 - You get to know parents from other teams.
5 - High satisfaction, no pay.
4 - Donuts and switcharoos have no calories when consumed in a chlorine-rich environment. (you may want to revisit reason #8)
3 - You will learn A LOT about swimming.
2 - You get to wear white after Labor Day.
And the Number 1 Reason to Become a Swim Official…
1 - A great way to share and participate in your child's swim experience.
How to become an Iowa Swimming Official
In Iowa, there are two entry points for new officials. You may begin as a “wet deck” official observing swims with a Stroke & Turn qualification, or you may begin on the “dry deck” working with the computerized timing as an Administrative Official who determines the official time for each swimmer. Visit the Learn About Officials page to understand all the officials' roles and functions at a meet. No matter which entry point appeals to you, the process to become an official is the same (current flow chart of steps):
STEP 1 – If not already a USA Swimming non-athlete member, contact your club registrar for a link to register as apprentice official. (If unattached, contact IASI office). Create a USA Swimming account. Choose "Apprentice Official" as the registration type. Apprentice Official is free, so there should be no total due at checkout. If there is a total due - you have probably chosen the wrong reg type. NOTE: You must register as a USA Swimming non-athlete member first. Officials training are free only for members. USA Swimming will not issue a refund for Officials Trainings for anyone who pays and completes training as a non-member. The apprentice's official registration is valid for 60 days from registration and cannot be renewed. No later than 60 days after your apprentice registration, you must then register as a non-athlete member and complete the Back Ground Check (BCG), Athlete Protection Training (APT), and Concussion Protocol Training (CPT) to be a non-athlete member in good standing to continue to be able to "access the deck".
STEP 2 – Enroll and complete the “Foundations of Officiating” course through USA Swimming University. This is free. Note: Clicking on the “Officials” tab will make the course easier to find.
STEP 3 – Enroll and complete either the “Administrative Official Certification Course” OR “Stroke and Turn Certification Course” through USA Swimming University.
STEP 4 – Email: [email protected] stating that you have successfully completed the above trainings so that they can list you as an apprentice.
STEP 5 – complete 4 apprenticeship sessions over 2 different meets with at least 2 different mentors. Mentors should have at least one year experience. Your final session must be with an N2 or N3 certified official. (It is okay if you don’t understand that last part yet. Just ensure the MR knows which session will be your 4th session).
Sign up for apprentice sessions which can frequently be found on the Officials website. If you go out of state, you can look in the Meet Invite for the Meet Referee (MR) contact information. Contact the MR and let them know you want to serve as an Apprentice during the meet.
Before the meet, print out the appropriate form from Grow as an Official (Certification Requirements). Bring your Apprentice Form with you for every apprentice session.
Unless directed otherwise by the MR, Apprentice Officials are expected to wear standard IASI attire (white shirt, blue pants/short/skirt, and white(ish) shoes). If you know any officials from your team, you may want to ask them for help. Most experienced officials have a closet full of white shirts! When selecting your shoes, be closer to white, but don’t fret too much. Remember that many pool decks are slippery, so “non-skid” may be more important than white over a light gray. Another great resource is the Officials Resources > Apparel page, where you can order Iowa Swimming Officials polo shirts and the Iowa Swimming Officials name tag.
STEP 6 – Upgrade your registration from Apprentice Official to Official. Log in to your account. From your Dashboard page, click on General Info, then Upgrade. You will be charged the full fee at checkout. Ask if your club pays the official registration fee and how to get reimbursed. Contact your club registrar for assistance. Note: This and the following 2 steps by the expiration of your apprentice's official registration with USA Swimming to complete your apprenticeship.
STEP 7 – Register and pay for a Level II Background check on the USA Swimming website. Your first background check costs $38; many teams will reimburse you for it. The background investigation process may take 7 – 14 business days and must be completed before obtaining certification as an official.
STEP 8 – Once your Non-Athlete Membership has been confirmed, complete Athlete Protection Training and Concussion Protocol Training, both of which can be found on the USA Swimming website. These are both FREE. Send your concussion certificate to [email protected].
STEP 9 – After completing all the steps and your final apprentice session, email your completed Apprentice Form to: [email protected]. Upon confirmation of satisfactory completion of all the required steps, The IASI Officials Chair will contact you by email to welcome you as our newest IASI official.
CONGRATULATIONS! But your journey is just beginning. The best officials never stop learning and developing. Visit the Grow as an Official page to learn about the opportunities for growth and development.
