How to Become a USA Swim Official
This information is for people living in the Omaha, NE area. It is from a document shared by a local swim official. For more information, contact Kathy Lydiatt at klydiatt@cox.net.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a certified USA Swimming Official!
Join thousands of parents around the country who support their children in competitive swimming by becoming a certified Stroke & Turn Judge or Admin Official.
What are some of the benefits of being a Certified Official?
1. You are helping to support and grow a great sport for your children!
2. You are closer to the action. It’s the best place on the deck.
4. Fulfill club volunteer obligations at meets you would attend anyway.
5. You volunteer when your time allows
6. Gain a fuller understanding of swimming and sports in general.
7. For most of the meets, your host provides free meals and refreshments
8. It is frequently cooler on the deck compared to the stands
What is required to become a Stroke & Turn Judge or Administrative Official?
There are 3 parts to this:
1. REGISTRATION as USA Swimming Member and completing necessary training online.
2. APPRENTICESHIP with experienced officials
3. APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION
o The process has been simplified as of this year, and you will be able to complete all steps prior to apprenticeship on your own schedule, without needing to attend in person clinics
1. The apprentice will need to register on the USA swimming website for an account, and add a new registration as an Official or Apprentice Official Member using their club Swim OMR link. (This is provided by the club registrar; if any problems with registration, contact your club registrar first, and if not able to solve, contact Leslie Mayo the MWS registrar: leslie.mayo1523@gmail.com ). Apprentice Official registration is only valid for 60 days so if you are determined to follow through, we recommend Official Registration.
2. If the parent has a different registration (coach, non-athlete member / board member etc.), he/ she will still need to switch or add registration as official).
3. The process of registration will also include:
- Concussion Protocol. Any of the 2 courses are valid: ( links provided on the USA Swimming website)
or
(Please send certificate to Leslie Mayo leslie.mayo1523@gmail.com) to upload as this does not upload automatically)- This certificate will be valid indefinitely
- APT (athlete protection)
- Background check. Those 2 links can be found
( you may refer to this link as well, the first part is common for stroke and turn and AO) https://www.mwswim.org/page/mw-registration1/registration-officials
Once the parent becomes a registered Official member, he/she will need to complete the following items. You need to be logged in, then please go the USA SWIMMING Education section:
Foundations of Officiating course - required of all new officials
The new Stroke and Turn Official Certification Course OR Admin Official Certification Course (depending on what certification they intend to obtain). (this includes a course and a test at the end. make sure you take the test, And the survey at the end, otherwise it will not appear as completed. Good idea to take a picture or download the page that shows that you passed the final test). This serves as BOTH your CLINIC and your CERTIFICATION TEST, but does not replace apprenticeship.
o NEXT STEP : is APPRENTICESHIP as a stroke and turn OR AO ( depending on certification of interest) for a minimum of four (4) meet sessions (not including Time Trials). These four or more meet sessions must be worked at a minimum of TWO DIFFERENT MEETS, in order to provide the trainee with the opportunity to work with a number of experienced officials. Please contact the meet referee in advance. He will record your apprenticeship sessions and assign your trainer.
o AFTER you complete the required number of sessions, please APPLY for CERTIFICATION :
Contact the Midwestern Officials Chair, Dan Brailita by email:
For any questions, contact Officials Chair at 402-460-7900 or email above.
He will verify that you met your requirements, confirm your satisfactory apprenticeship and certify you in the Officials Tracking System. Then, welcome on the deck as certified Midwestern Swimming/ USA Swimming Official!