How to become an official

How to become an official

In September 2023, the annual USA Swimming House of Delegates approved Resolution R-9, which required the National Officials Committee to set “the singular standard by which all officials are certified and trained”.   The USAS Certification Guidelines became effective in February 2024, and can be found here: USAS Officials Documents   The North Carolina Officials Committee has begun to align our processes to the new Guidelines, and the impact for current NC officials and current and future apprentices is summarized here: R-9 Impacts for NCS Officials  

Steps to becoming an official

New officials start their certification process as a Stroke & Turn Judge (S&T), an Administrative Official (AO), or the new Junior Stroke & Turn Judge(Jr-S&T).  The general steps for becoming certified for each of the positions are the same.   This is the recommended (but not required) order for becoming an official. These steps align with the USAS Steps to Become a Stroke and Turn Judge.

1. Create a USA Swimming Account
   
   
2. For S&T certification, from your account navigate to USA Swimming University
   • Complete the Foundations of Officiating online course.
   • Complete the Stroke and Turn online course.
   • Pass the Stroke and Turn online Certification Assessment.
3. For AO certification, clinics are offered by NC Swimming
   • Schedule for these clinics can be found on the Clinic Schedule
   • Pass the Administrative Official online Certification Assessment.
   • Contact ncswimofficials@gmail.com to request an AO clinic.
4. Fill out NC SWIMMING Google Registration Form (RECOMMENDED)
   • Clinic Attendance Registration Form
   • Completion of this form will ensure that your apprentice certification is added to your USAS Membership, you get the correct on-deck training form, and you receive a NC Swimming name badge upon completion of all certification requirements.
     
     
5. Register your status in your USA Swimming Account.
   • This step must be completed before beginning on-deck training.
   • There are two options in the North Caolina Swimming LSC:
     1. Register as a non-athlete Official member and complete Athlete Protection Training (APT), Background Check (BGC), and Concussion Protocol Training (CPT). Membership and BGC steps require payment).
     2. Register as an Apprentice Official to immediately go out on deck. You will have 60 days to complete APT, CPT and BCG. At day 61 they must become a non-athlete member which requires APT, CPT and BCG to be completed before stepping on deck
6. Complete the required on-deck training sessions.
   
   
7. Upon completion Email a copy of your on-deck apprentice form to your NCS Officials Committee Zone Representative and to trainingcoordinator@ncswim.org

Useful Tips for these Steps:

• USAS Registration link is provided by your club’s Registrar or the NCS Registrar
• Links for APT, BGC, and CPT can be found here: USAS How to become an Official
• Registration and Background Check require payment to complete.  All other steps are free of charge.  (Some clubs will reimburse officials for these costs.)
• NC Swimming optional PART 1 Clinic (on the NCS Clinics and Training page) has step by step instructions with screen shots for Step 1 and Step 6

Updated 8/25/24