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.
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 USA Swimming test scores.
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. Complete the USA Swimming Starter Certification Course on the USA Swimming website.
3. Review the "Starter Basics" training video. 
4. Take and pass (with 80% correct) the “Certification – Starter” online test.
5. 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.
6. Certification expires on December 31st of the 4th year of certification.

Note: Certification as a Starter automatically renews your USMS 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. Review and study the USMS Referee Self-Training Guide.
4. Complete the USA Swimming Referee Certification Course on the USA Swimming website.
5. Test results are emailed by USA Swimming. Once received, forward them to the USMS Officials Committee. 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.
6. Take and pass (with 80% correct) the USMS Officials Supplemental exam. 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. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee after recommendation is received.
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. Certification expires on December 31 of the 4th year of certification.

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

1. Review and study the USMS Administrative Official Self-Training Guide.
2. Complete the USA Swimming Administrative Official Certification Course.
3. Test results are emailed by USA Swimming. Once received, forward them to the USMS Officials Committee.
4. Take and pass (with 80% correct) the USMS Administrative Official Supplemental 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. Not your score and include it in your email forwarding the Stroke & Turn test score.
5. Administrative Official Novice Credentials are emailed from the USMS Officials Committee. Work with your LMSC Officials Chair for any additional training at USMS meets that is recommended by your LSMC. Once your training is complete, the LMSC Officials Chair will request Referee Certification by contacting the USMS Officials Committee Chair. Based on your prior experience, the Novice sessions requirement may be waived by the LMSC Officials Chair or the USMS Officials Committee. 
6. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials Committee chair after recommendation is received. 
7. Certification expires on December 31 of the 4th year of certification. 

• Stroke & Turn Officials who have worked four or more sessions within their current certification period must pass the USMS Supplemental online test for re-certification. Once you have taken the test, please note your score and email it to the Officials Committee.
• Officials who have worked three or fewer sessions within the current certification period must re-take the full Certification path as described above.

• 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 re-certify by passing with a core of 80% or better the current USMS Supplemental online test. and the USMS Supplemental Administration Official test. Not your scores and email them to the Officials Committee.
• Referees who have worked 3 or fewer sessions within their current certification period must re-take the full certification path as described above.

• Administrative Officials who have worked 4 or more sessions within their current certification period (minimum of 2 as Administrative Official) may recertify by taking the USMS Supplemental Administrative Official test. Note your score and email it to the Officials Committee.
• Administrative Officials who have worked 3 or fewer total sessions or 1 or fewer sessions as Administrative Official within their current certification period must retake the full certification path as described above.

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 a copy/screenshot of 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 a copy/screenshot of 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 a copy/screenshot of your current USA/YMCA/NCAA/NFHS Credentials and expiration dates.
2. Receive recommendation from your LMSC Officials Chair.
3. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee and expire on December 31st of the 4th year of certification.

1. Take the USMS Supplemental Administrative Official online test. This test is designed to reinforce some of the most common situations encountered at masters meets in regard to administrative processes. 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. Receive recommendation from your LMSC Officials Chair.
3. Credentials are emailed by the USMS Officials committee and expire on December 31 of the 4th year of certification.

1. Take the USMS Supplemental online test. For Administrative Officials, take this test instead. 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.