IASI CERTIFICATION & ADVANCEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Summary Table

Skip to IASI recertification requirements

Your journey as a USA Swimming official begins when you earn your ST or AO qualification. Your initial qualification is issued by an LSC (Local Swim Club) of USA Swimming. Our LSC is Iowa Swimming Inc. (IASI) and the club teams are all members of IASI. You must hold LSC credentials to work as an official at an LSC sanctioned meet. However, you do not have to limit your experience to swim meets in Iowa. USA Swimming establishes the minimum requirements for officials. If you are going to a meet sanctioned by another LSC, let them know you are coming and offer to help officiate! They will probably welcome and appreciate your help.

Officials at National Meets (meets sanctioned by USA Swimming and not an LSC) must hold an N2 or N3 qualification depending on the competition level of the meet. Essentially, your LSC qualification is the “N1” and you can advance to an N2 and then to an N3 in almost every position. The USA Swimming website is the best resource to learn how to advance or recertify as an N2 or N3, but in general the process is:

  • Earn the LSC qualification in that position
  • Work the required number of sessions in that position
  • Successfully complete evaluation for advancement at an OQM (Officials Qualifying Meet) in that position

The following document provides the latest answers to FAQs regarding LSC certification:

USA Swimming LSC Officials Certifications FAQs

The National Certification & Evaluation process always begins with LSC qualification. Here is the Summary Table followed by the IASI requirements for advancement to each position:

Stroke & Turn (ST)

Minimum Age: 18
Prerequisites: If not already registered, non-athlete membership with IASI
Clinic: Foundations of Officiatng and Stroke & Turn
Online Testing (80%+ score): Stroke & Turn
Apprenticeship: At least 4 sessions (at least 2 sessions at IASI meets), At least 2 mentors, Must complete within 1 year of clinic. (Download the ST Apprentice Form)
Prior to Certification: Non-athlete membership with USA Swimming, Completion of USA Swimming Athlete Protection Training (APT), Completion of Concussion Protocol Training (CPT), Clear Level II Background Check. Satisfactory evaluation at final apprentice session by N2/N3 ST mentor

 

Administrative Official (AO)

Minimum Age: 18
Prerequisites: If not already registered, non-athlete membership with IASI
Clinic: Foundations of Officiating and Administrative Officia
Online Testing (80%+ score): Administrative Official
Apprenticeship: At least 4 sessions, At least 2 mentors, At least 2 meets, Must complete within 1 year of clinic.  ( Download the  AO Apprentice Form)
Prior to Certification: Non-athlete membership with USA Swimming, Completion of USA Swimming Athlete Protection Training (APT), Completion of Concussion Protocol Training (CPT), Clear Level II Background Check,  Satisfactory evaluation at final apprentice session by N2/N3 AO/AR mentor

 

Chief Judge (CJ)

note: ST officials may work as a CJ, but to earn the IASI CJ qualification as a prerequisite for N2 CJ the following requirements apply:

Minimum Age: 18
Prerequisites: Minimum 1 year ST qualified or minimum 8 ST sessions
Clinic : Chief Judge
Apprenticeship: At least 2 sessions  ( Download the CJ Apprentice Form )
Prior to Certification: Satisfactory evaluation at final apprentice session by N2/N3 CJ or N2/N3 DR mentor

 

Starter (SR)

Minimum Age: 18
Prerequisites: ST for at least 3 months with at least 4 session at 2 meets
Clinic: Starter
Online Testing (80%+ score): Starter
Apprenticeship: At least 4 sessions, At least 2 mentors, Recommend at least 100 starts (20 of which must be backstroke)  ( Download the SR Apprentice Form )
Prior to Certification: Satisfactory evaluation at final apprentice session by N2/N3 SR mentor

 

Referee (DR)

Minimum Age: 19
Prerequisites: ST, SR & AO for a minimum of one year
Clinic: Deck Referee
Online Testing (80%+ score): Referee
Apprenticeship: At least 4 sessions, At least 2 mentors, At least 2 meets  ( Download the DR Apprentice Form )
Prior to Certification: Satisfactory evaluation at final apprentice session by N2/N3 DR mentor