Sanction Criteria Requirements

Sanctioned Pool Event

An event sanctioned by USMS, Inc., through one of its Local Masters Swimming Committees (LMSC), must meet all the following criteria:

Conduct of the event must be in strict compliance with applicable swimming rules and administrative regulations of USMS, Inc.
A current USMS rule book must be available at the event.
Entries shall not be accepted before the sanction has been issued. Paper forms shall not be distributed, online entry systems shall not be activated, and the event shall not be listed as sanctioned on the USMS Calendar of Events until the sanction has been issued. (Article 202.1.1.B)
Referees shall be certified in this capacity by a USMS-approved certifying body, as defined by the USMS Officials Committee. Starters or stroke and turn judges certified by one of these bodies may serve as referees if they receive training on specific duties of the referee. See Article 103.3 of the USMS rule book for certification requirements.
Entry forms and programs must bear the statement "Sanctioned by (LMSC name) for USMS, Inc." Event entry forms and programs may include the statement "Sanction ID___." (Article 202.1.1.A)
Meet information shall include ONE of the following statements:
- The length of the competition course without a bulkhead is in compliance and on file with USMS in accordance with articles 105.1.7 and 106.2.1.
- The length of the competition course has been measured and is NOT in compliance with USMS articles 105.1.7 and 106.2.1: Times achieved in the meet will NOT be eligible for USMS Top 10 and records.
- The length of the competition course is not on file with USMS. Eligibility of times achieved in this meet will be contingent upon pool length measurement and approval with USMS; if bulkheads are present, their placement must also be confirmed by measurements at the meet (articles 105.1.7 and 106.2.1).
- The length of the competition course is in compliance and on file with USMS in accordance with articles 105.1.7 and 106.2.1, but as a bulkhead course, is subject to length confirmation. Eligibility of times for USMS Top 10 and records will be contingent on verification of bulkhead placement.
No sanction of any event shall be granted with the word "Olympic" or the word "Paralympic" or any derivative thereof used in any manner in connection with said event unless consent is obtained from the USOPC. (Article 202.1.1.E)
Events labeled as 'Choice' or 'Open,' where any stroke is allowed, will not be eligible for records or Top Ten and cannot be included in a Top Ten submission. (Article 105.2.1 and 102.5.2)
If this event is a competition, results and required Pool Length Certifications Form(s) must be submitted in proper format within 14 days of the event to the LMSC Top 10 Recorder, the LMSC Sanctions Chair, and events@usmastersswimming.org. See Appendix A of the rule book (PREPARATION OF MEET RESULTS and POOL LENGTH CERTIFICATION form) for proper format.
All competitors must hold current USMS registrations or valid travel permits or their equivalents or have other acceptable proof of current Masters swimming registration, and must be 18 years of age or over (Article 202.1).
Entry forms shall contain the language of the PARTICIPANT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT. All swimmers shall have signed the liability release before participating. (202.1.1.A(1))

Recognized Pool Event

An event recognized by USMS, Inc., through one of its Local Masters Swimming Committees (LMSC), must meet all the following criteria:

Conduct of the event must be in strict compliance with applicable swimming rules and administrative regulations of USMS, Inc.
A current USMS rule book must be available at the event. (Article 202.2)
Recognition for any meets held outside the jurisdiction of USMS, other than those organized under the auspices of World Aquatics (AQUA), shall be obtained from the Executive Committee. (Article 202.2.1.H)
Entry forms may contain the statement "Recognized by (LMSC name) for USMS, Inc."
If this event is a competition and the pool does not meet mandatory facilities standards, it is suggested that entry forms and programs bear the statement "Times achieved at this competition will not be submitted or USMS Top 10 or record consideration."
Times achieved by USMS members at recognized events may be considered for USMS national records and Top 10 times if the event has been granted a recognition and a designated USMS observer is present and verifies in writing that the conduct of the competition conforms to the relevant USMS swimming rules and administrative regulations. (Article 202.2)
It is the responsibility of the swimmer to submit times obtained in recognized events with complete documentation to the appropriate LMSC Top 10 Recorder and the LMSC Sanctions Chair. (Article 202.2)
Events labeled as 'Choice' or 'Open,' where any stroke is allowed, will not be eligible for USMS records or Top 10 and cannot be included in a Top 10 submission. (Article 105.2.1 and 102.5.2)
If this event is a competition, results and required facility certifications must be submitted in proper format within 14 days of the event to the LMSC Top 10 Recorder, the LMSC Sanctions Chair, and events@usmastersswimming.org. See Appendix A of the rule book (PREPARATION OF MEET RESULTS and POOL LENGTH CERTIFICATION form) for proper format.
No recognition of any event shall be granted with the word "Olympic" or the word "Paralympic" or any derivative thereof used in any manner in connection with said event unless consent is obtained from the USOPC. (Article 202.2.1.D)

Sanctioned Open Water Event

An event sanctioned by USMS, Inc., through one of its Local Masters Swimming Committees (LMSC), must meet all the following criteria:

The event shall be conducted according to applicable USMS swimming rules and administrative regulations including:
Article 201: Membership and Representation, USMS Rule Book Part 2
Article 203: Open Water Sanction, USMS Rule Book Part 2
Open Water Event Management
Open Water and Long Distance Swimming Rules, USMS Rule Book Part 3
Entry forms, programs, and results must bear the statement "Sanctioned by (LMSC name) for USMS Inc." (Article 203.3.3.B)
LMSCs have the option to offer one-event registrations (OEVT) at events sanctioned by their own LMSC. See the One Event Memberships page for more information.
The total number of OEVT (if applicable) shall be emailed within 14 days of the event to: volunteer@usmastersswimming.org.
The sanctioning LMSC has the option to include offline processing as part of the sanction application, including due dates for additional information and attachments. Additionally, an LMSC may use performance bonds and requirements attached to the bonding process to encourage well-run events.
All competitors must hold current USMS registrations or valid travel permits or their equivalents or have other acceptable proof of current Masters swimming registration and must be 18 years of age or over (Article 202.1).
Entry forms shall contain the language of the PARTICIPANT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT. All swimmers shall have signed the liability release before participating. (202.1.1.A(1)

Sanction Fees

Effective Jan. 1, 2025 pool and open water event sanction fees have been eliminated. Please be aware your LMSC will be billed a $100 recognition fee after the event takes place. Your LMSC may charge local fees (sanction and/or one-event), please contact your LMSC Sanction Chair about fees associated with hosting a meet. Refer to the Sanction Fee Grid for more information. Your LMSC may charge local fees (sanction and/or one-event), please contact your LMSC Sanction Chair about fees associated with hosting a meet.

Contacts and Resources

There's a ton of information here, but if you didn't find what you're looking for, or you did but have additional questions, we're here to help! Event Services is available via phone (941) 256-8767 or via email events@usmastersswimming.org.

Last Updated August 6, 2025