In September 2023, the annual USA Swimming House of Delegates approved Resolution R-9, which required the National Officials Committee to set “the singular standard by which all officials are certified and trained”.   The USAS Certification Guidelines became effective in February 2024 and were updated in April. The latest version of the USA Swimming Officials Certification Standards can be found here: USA Swimming - Officials Certification Standards for LSCs (April 2024).  Sierra Nevada Swimming (SNS) has begun aligning our certification processes to the new Guidelines, and the changes for current SN officials and current and future apprentices is summarized here: R-9 Changes for SNS Officials  

New officials start their certification process as a Stroke & Turn Judge (S&T) or Jr. Stroke & Turn Judge (Jr. S&T) (Ages 16-17).  The steps for becoming a certified S&T or Jr. S&T is as follows:​

1. Register as an Official (non-athlete) Member of USA Swimming.  The fee is $80.00.
2. Complete the following (most can be found on the USA Swimming website and USA Swimming University (under Education):
   • Athlete Protection Training (APT)
   • Background Check (BGC)
   • Concussion Protocol Training (CPT) - Please send a copy of your completion certificate to Mark Brown, our SNS Registrar, at [email protected].
   • CA Residents need to also complete CANRA
3. Fill out the SNS New Official Google Registration Form
   • Completion of this form will ensure that your apprentice certification is added to your USAS Membership, you get the correct on-deck training form and receive any needed updates during training.
4. Take Appropriate Courses and Certification Exams:
   • Courses are available now and can be found at https://university.usaswimming.org/landing. 
   • All new Officials should take the “Foundations of Officiating” course before any additional courses required for S&T or Jr. S&T
   • “Stroke and Turn Certification Course” for S&T and Jr. S&T
   • The LSC will be offering educational clinics from time to time during the swim year.  USA Swimming has also developed on-line self-paced courses with integrated tests through the USA Swimming University.
5. Complete the minimum number of required on-deck training sessions (at least 4 sessions as an Apprentice Stroke and Turn Judge at two separate meets) using the S&T Training slip below.  Please remember freestyle only sessions will not count towards the required on-deck training sessions.
6. After all the above steps have been completed, email a copy of your completed on-deck apprentice form to the Officials Chair at [email protected]

Useful Tips for these Steps:

• USA Swimming Registration link can be found on your USA Swimming Deck Pass.
• Links for APT, BGC and CPT can be found here: USAS How to become an Official
• CANRA (Mandatory Reporting: Understanding Your Responsibility) can be found in the Safe Sport tab of USA Swimming University
• Registration and Background Check require payment to complete.  All other steps are free of charge.  (Some clubs will reimburse officials for these costs.)