Officials Certification Program

1. Complete the Foundations of Officiating and Stroke & Turn Certification courses on the USA Swimming website.
2. Test results are emailed by USA Swimming. Once received, forward to the USMS Officials Committee Chair.
3. Take and pass (with 80% correct) the “USMS Officials Supplemental exam” online test. In the first screen on that site, please enter your actual name - you will enter your email address later. The test score is shown immediately but no email is sent. Note your score and include it in your email forwarding the Stroke & Turn test score.
4. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee upon receipt of your test results.
5. Certification expires on December 31st of the 4th year of certification.

1. Previously be certified by USMS as a Stroke & Turn Official. There is no minimum length of time as a certified Stroke &Turn Official required before an individual can become a starter.
2. Review the "Starter Basics" training video. 
3. Take and pass (with 80% correct) the “Certification – Starter” online test.
4. Results are emailed by USA Swimming. Once received, forward them to the USMS Officials Committee Chair. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee upon receipt of your test results.
5. Certification expires on December 31st of the 4th year of certification.

Note: Certification as a Starter automatically renews your certification as a Stroke & Turn Official.

1. Previously certified by USMS as a Stroke & Turn and Starter.
2. Minimum 4 Sessions as a Starter at USMS meets.
3. Join and maintain USMS Membership.
4. Review and study the USMS Referee Self-Training Guide
5. Take and pass (with 80% correct) three tests:
   1. USA Swimming Referee online test
   2. USA Swimming Timing Judge online test
   3. USMS Supplemental test online test
6. Referee and Timing Judge Test results are emailed by USA Swimming. Once received, forward them to the USMS Officials Committee Chair. Note: the USMS Supplemental test score is shown immediately but no email is sent. Note your score and include it in your email to the USMS Officials Committee Chair.
7. Referee Novice Credentials are emailed from the USMS Officials Committee. Work with your LMSC Officials Chair for minimum 2 mentored Referee deck sessions at USMS meets. Once training is complete, the LMSC Officials Chair will request Referee Certification by contacting the USMS Officials Committee Chair. Based on prior experience, the Novice sessions requirement may be waived by the LMSC Officials Chair or the USMS Officials Committee.
8. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee after recommendation is received.
9. Certification expires on December 31st of the 4thnyear of certification.

Note: Certification as a Referee automatically renews your certification as Stroke & Turn and Starter.

• Stroke & Turn Officials who have worked four or more sessions within their current certification period may take both the test “Re-certification – Stroke & Turn/Timer” on the USA Swimming website and the USMS Supplemental online test for re-certification.
• Officials who have worked three or less sessions within the current certification period must take the “Certification – Stroke & Turn/Timer” and the USMS Supplemental online test for re-certification.

• Starters who have worked 4 or more sessions within their current certification period (minimum of 1 as Starter) may take the tests “Recertification – Starter”, “Re-certification – Stroke &Turn/Timer” on the USA Swimming site and the USMS Supplemental online test for re-certification.
• Starters who have worked 3 or less sessions within their current certification period must take the “Certification – Starter”, “Re-certification – Stroke & Turn/Timer” and the USMS Supplemental online test for re-certification.

• Referees who have worked 4 or more sessions within their current certification period (minimum of 1 as Deck or Meet Referee) may take the tests “Recertification – Referee” on the USA Swimming site and the current USMS Supplemental online test.
• Referees who have worked 3 or less sessions within their current certification period must take the “Certification – Referee”, “Re-certification – Timing Judge” tests on the USA Swimming site and the current USMS Supplemental online test for re-certification.

Note: Working 4 or more sessions at a National Championship meet and attending the briefings for each session will automatically renew your USMS Officiating credentials. Please direct any questions or suggestions about USMS Officials Certification to the Officials Committee Chair.

1. Take the USMS Supplemental online test. The test score is shown immediately but no email is sent to you. Note the score and email it to the USMS Officials Committee Chair. Include your current USA/YMCA/NCAA/NFHS Credentials and expiration dates.
2. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee and expire on December 31st of the 4th year of certification.
   
    

1. Take the USMS Supplemental online test. The test score is shown immediately but no email is sent to you. Note your score and email it to the USMS Officials Committee Chair. Include your current USA/YMCA/NCAA/NFHS Credentials and expiration dates.
2. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee and expire on December 31st of the 4th year of certification.

1. Take the USMS Supplemental online test. The test score is shown immediately but no email is sent to you. Note your score and email it to the USMS Officials Committee Chair. Include your current USA/YMCA/NCAA/NFHS Credentials and expiration dates.
2. Join and maintain USMS Membership.
3. Receive recommendation from your LMSC Officials Chair.
4. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee and expire on December 31st of the 4th year of certification.

1. Take the USMS Supplemental online test. The test score is shown immediately but no email is sent to you. Note your score and email it to the USMS Officials Committee Chair.
2. Include a list of the USMS sanctioned meets worked since your last certification.
3. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee and expire on December 31st of the 4th year of certification.