WELCOME!
We’re excited to have you join the Illinois Swimming Officiating team!
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Each position has a slightly different track to complete so please feel free to jump to the Training Information page when you are ready to go!
Becoming an official consists of:
- Becoming a USA Swimming Non-Athlete Official and completing required background, athlete protection and concussion training
- Taking an online clinic
- Completion of training requirements for your position
- Submission of your documents for certification
OFFICIALS REGISTRATION
Please note that the process is slightly different for 16- and 17- year olds to become Stroke & Turn Junior Official. Please go to the Stroke & Turn Junior Officials page for details.
Step #1: Become a non-athlete Official of USA Swimming
- Your initial registration must be requested directly from your club - ONLY use that link to create your non-athlete profile (if you do it directly from the USA Swimming site, you will have duplicate accounts that will require additional work for merging). Please be certain to register as an OFFICIAL, not as a Member or Parent.
Step #2: Complete your required additional certifications PRIOR to starting your on-deck training
- Complete a Background Check
- Complete Athlete Protection Training (APT) through the USAS Education tab
- Log into your USAS membership account and click on the Education tab
- APT is mandatory for all Officials, Coaches, and athletes 18 and older
- Obtain a concussion training certificate from either the National Federation of High Schools or the Center for Disease Control and email it to the Illinois Swimming Office for updating of your USAS Officials membership card.
TRAINING
The number of on-deck training sessions is determined by the officials position you are looking to obtain. Officials Certification Standards as outlined by USA Swimming (link here).
The details for each position are laid out on the position training pages:
- Stroke & Turn Judge (18 & over)
- Junior Stroke & Turn Judge (16-17 year olds)
- Administrative Official
- Starter
- Referee
- Open Water
- Chief Judge
CERTIFICATION
Once your training is complete, send your documents via email to the Illinois Swimming Officials Committee. All the documents you need are available on the Registration and Certification page.
QUESTIONS?
Questions for the Committee? Questions about Officiating? Contact [email protected]. Please allow a few days for a response as the mailbox is staffed by volunteers.
