How to Become a Kentucky Swimming Official - Updated 9/30/2025

NEW OFFICIALS CHECKLIST

______ Create an account on USA Swimming’s website

• If you have a PARENT ACCOUNT, use that account. DO NOT create a new account.
• Go to usaswimming.org.
• Click on “LOGIN”.
• Click on CREAT A LOGIN.
• Select your user ID/password for your new USAS account.
• Follow the instructions and complete account setup.

______ Register for Membership with USA Swimming — Must be completed before you work at a meet as an apprentice official.

• Click on the online membership regsitration link below
  https://omr.usaswimming.org/omr/welcome/D848105FDCBC43
• Login
• Screen will refer to KY-Unattached (this is correct)
• Select
  REGISTER MEMBER
  THIS MEMBERSHIP IS FOR MYSELF
• Membership Role: Select “APPRENTICE OFFICIAL”.

______ Complete a Background Check (BGC)

• You have 60 days to complete the BGC on the USAS website, usaswimming.org.
  After this time, you will not be able to apprentice until after the BGC has been completed.
• You must have completed Step #1 to initiate a background check.
• Login to usaswimming.org.
• Click on the EDUCATION link (navy ribbon)
• Select COURSE CATALOG
• Scroll down the page and find BACKGROUND CHECK.
• Click on VIEW INFO - START
• There is a $38 fee to complete the Background Check

______ Complete Athlete Protection Training (APT)

• You have 60 days to complete the Athlete Protection Training through your USAS login account at usaswimming.org.
  After this time, you will not be able to apprentice until after the Athlete Protection Training has been completed.
• Please create your account AND register as an APPRENCTICE OFFICIAL before taking the APT.
• Login to usaswimming.org.
• Click on the EDUCATION link (navy ribbon)
• Select COURSE CATALOG
• Scroll down the page and find ATHLETE PROTECTION TRAINING 
• Click on VIEW INFO - START
• Complete the course

______ Complete Concussion Protocol Training

• You MUST 1) create a USAS login account and 2) REGISTER as an Apprentice Official before taking the course
• Concussion Protocol is a course taken outside the USAS Education portal.
• Use the link here to access the course: https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/training/
• When the course is completed, you will receive a certificate.
• Forward a copy of the certificate to [email protected], and in the email, specify which club you represent.

______ Complete the online training courses

• Login at usaswimming.org.
• Click on the EDUCATION link
• Select COURSE CATALOG
• Click on the OFFICIALS button
• Click on the CERTIFICATION button
• Take two courses specific to the certification you are working to obtain:
  • STROKE & TURN OFFICIAL
    Take “FOUNDATIONS OF OFFICIATING” and “STROKE and TURN CERTIFICATION”
  • ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIAL
    take “FOUNDATIONS OF OFFICIATING” and “ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION”
• When you finish the exam, take a screen shot of the score and email it to the New Officials Coordinator listed below.

______ Apprentice 4 sessions - Make sure you’ve registered with USA Swimming before starting this step. See above.

• Wear white top, khaki bottoms, white shoes
• Print an Apprentice Verification form off of KY Swimming’s website. Go to kylsc.org > Officials > Officials Meet Forms
  • Stroke and Turn—print “Apprentice Verification Form ST”
  • Administrative Official—print “Apprentice Verification form AO”
• Inform the Meet Referee of your intention to apprentice, contact info is in the meet information for the meet you wish to work is on KY Swimming’s website meet page.
• Arrive 60 minutes prior to each session and attend the officials’ meeting – Be sure to SIGN IN
• MUST have Apprentice Verification form filled out by your mentor official for each session
• Apprentice with various ages/levels of swimmers to gain a variety of experience
• Submit your completed Apprentice Verification Form to KY Swimming’s New Officials Coordinator. Contact info is below.

Prior to expiration of the 60-day period, you must become a full member ($78 paid registration) to continue progressing toward certification.

1. Login to your USAS account
2. Click on the General Info link
3. Select UPGRADE
4. Membership Role: check the box for “NON-ATHLETE OFFICIAL”.
5. After payment, click on the transfer button and request a transfer to your club.
6. You CANNOT upgrade if you are past the 60-day apprentice period.
   If you cannot upgrade, contact the KY Swimming office for a new registration link, [email protected]. Please note the club you will represent in your email.

Once all the steps above are completed and your certification has been processed by KY Swimming, you will receive a name tag and further instructions regarding the credentials you’ll need to present when working at meets.

Officiating Points of Contact for Assistance
 

Club Lead Official:
KYLSC New Official’s Coordinator: Becky Gilpatrick—[email protected]
KYLSC Officials Chair: Jason Brown—[email protected] - 502-428-6041