Do you enjoy getting involved with youth sports?

Do you want to make sure ACE kids can have meets? 

Would you like an easy way to fulfill your family’s ACE MeetCREW volunteer hours?

 

What is the process to become an Official?

 

​STEP 1.  USA Swimming Registration   

You can register yourself as an official through the USA Swimming site u sing the Online Membership Registration (OMR) link provided by the ACE Club manager,  Leslie Mayo.  You should already have a USA Swimming account created from when you  registered your athletes. Login with the same user and password so your registration will be linked with your family-athletes portal.
       Membership offerings:  Official or Apprentice Official *

Apprentice Official is an OMR category and apprentice officials will NOT be charged at that time. This Apprentice Official registration allows the individual to complete the required components as they work toward becoming an official. Once the apprentice requirements are completed you will be required to REGISTER with USA Swimming and pay the non-athlete membership fee to become a valid official.

The current 2025 USA Swimming non-athlete membership registration fee is $80.00.  This payment will be made at the time of online member registration. Ask your Club if they will reimburse you. Many do!. There will be additional costs for background check- $39

 

STEP 2. Complete USA Swimming Background Check
Go to EDUCATION / Course Catalog and select Officials - Background Check. (You will need to be logged into your USA Swimming account.)

Once the Background Check is completed, your member record will automatically update with USA Swimming.

 

STEP 3. Complete Athlete Protection Training (APT)
APT training is required for all members of USA Swimming who are 18 years and older.  Training is good for 1 year from date of completion. The free online Athlete Protection Training course takes about 90 minutes to complete.

Go to EDUCATION / Course Catalog and choose Officials - Member Requirements - Athlete Protection Training.  (You will need to be logged into your USA Swimming account.)

Once the Athlete Protection Training is completed, save a copy of your completion certificate. Your member record will automatically update with USA Swimming. If your APT does not update after a few days, submit a help ticket at https://swimssupport.usaswimming.org/support/home

 

STEP 4. Complete Concussion Awareness Training
NFHS or CDC
This is now done via SWIMS 3.0 (You will need to be logged into your USA Swimming account.)
Go to EDUCATION/Course Catalog and choose Officials - Member Requirements - select Concussion Training.

Certificate of completion MUST be emailed to the MW Registration Chair ([email protected])

 

STEP 5.  Start your Officials Education Courses 

Complete the following Officials Education courses (2) found on the USA Swimming website.

       “Foundation of Officiating” and “Stroke and Turn Certification and Assessment” 

Once the courses are completed, your USA Swimming member record will automatically update.

 

STEP 6.  On-Deck Apprentice Sessions 

Stroke & Turn Officials are required to work with a full status official for a minimum of four (4) meet sessions (not including Time Trials).
In order to provide the trainee with the opportunity to work with a number of experienced officials, these four or more meet sessions must be worked at a minimum of TWO DIFFERENT MEETS. These work sessions shall be recorded in the Official’s Tracking System database via the USA Swimming official’s website by the meet referee.
 
YOU CANNOT APPRENTICE BEFORE BEING A REGISTERED OFFICIAL OR APPRENTICE OFFICIAL.
YOU CAN APPRENTICE IF YOU DID NOT TAKE THE Stroke and Turn Certification and assessment yet, but it is not recommend as you will not fully benefit from the deck training. If possible, try at a minimum to take the "Foundations of Officiating" before stepping on the deck.

 

 

STEP 7.  Complete the MWS Application for Certification

You can confirm your certification steps achieved after successfully registering, completing the Criminal Background Check and USA Swimming online Athlete Protection Training module.
 
Log into your USA Swimming account - Click "My Official History," under the Officials tab.  Once you have completed all Official certification requirements, complete the MWS Application for Certification.  
 

Email the Application for Official Certification to:

Dan Brailita

[email protected]

Commonly Asked Questions:

 

Do you need to have been a competitive swimmer?  NO. You just need to want to learn more about the sport.

 

Do I have to be a Stroke & Turn Official or is there another type of Official needed?

If you are not interested in being a Stroke & Turn Official, there is always a need for Administrative Officials.

Administrative Officials (also known as AO's) are much needed officials. These individuals either run the computer system's meet management software at the timing table, or works along side the computer operator to ensure that all the swimmers' times are correct when results are finalized in order to send onto the USA Swimming SWIMS database as the swimmer's official recorded time.  

When will you work?  When you choose to!!!

All MWS Officials are encouraged to work any session of any meet that they might normally be attending anyway.

Does ACE really need Meet Officials?  YES!!!  We always need parents across all age groups to become officials in order for ACE and Midwestern Swimming to be able to conduct meets for our swimmers. Plus, this is a great way to fulfill your MeeCREW hours while being involved with your child's sport.

Do you need to have been with ACE for a certain period of time?

NO.  Becoming an Official is actually a great way for swim parents to get involved in the club and to learn about competitive swimming