Welcome to Officials
As a parent of a swimmer you have the opportunity to be involved with your child and their sport in various ways. One very instrumental way is by being trained, certified, and working as an Official. Officials are present at all competitions to implement the technical rules of swimming and to ensure that the competition is fair and equitable to everyone. Click below to read more about:
Officials Certification Standards
How to Become an Official revised 5/1/25
Officials Code of Conduct
Apprentice Official Check Sheets to be Brought to Meets
Stroke and Turn Certification Check Sheet
Chief Judge Certification Check Sheet
Starter Certification Check Sheet
Admin Official Certification Check Sheet
Referee Certification Check Sheet
Documents for Knowledge of Each Position
Professional Stroke and Turn Official
Professional Chief Judge
Professional Starter
Professional Administrative Official
Professional Administrative Referee
Professional Deck Referee
Officials attend clinics, receive training and are certified by USA Swimming. Apprentice officials generally start as Stroke and Turn Officials whose job it is to observe the swimmers in their assigned lanes from the time they take their first arm pull after entering the water or beginning a race through the completion of their race. Stroke and Turn Officials ensure that the strokes, turns and finishes comply with the rules applicable to each stroke. If strokes, turns or finishes are executed in a manner which is out of compliance with the rules, in the spirit of fairness they document information to disqualify a swimmer from a race.
There are many levels of officiating that require different degrees of involvement and time. Stroke and Turn Officials learn the ropes by attending clinics, using self-study materials, and working on deck under the supervision of a trainer. Those who are interested move up the ladder to serving as a chief judge, starter, admin official, and referee, learning through a combination of clinics, self-study materials, and on-the-job training.
NEWS
September 16, 2025 - USAS Revised Operational Policy Manual Section 19.0, Competition Category Policy
Read full memo from Officials' Chair, Phil Grant here
What does this mean for Pacific Swimming:
Effective at once, only athletes born as a female may compete in the female athlete competition category. The definition of a female can be found in Executive Order 14168; Click Here. USA Swimming is notifying all affected athletes of this change and reverting back their competition category. Conversely, there are some administrative changes to the male competition category, but those changes should have little to no impact on our operating procedures.
How will Pacific Swimming Officials Proceed?
If an official suspects or is notified of an athlete competing in the wrong competition category, they shall advise the Meet Referee. The Meet Referee will handle the incident in a professional and inconspicuous manner. No ACTION shall be taken or contact made with the suspected athlete. The Meet Referee will only notate the name of the meet, name of the athlete, club, and event(s). At the conclusion of the meet, the Meet Referee will notify the LSC Officials Chair, who will in-turn make the proper notifications to Pacific Swimming.
Note: These procedures will be in use until directed otherwise by the LSC or USA Swimming.
2025-26 Meet Assignments (updated 9/9/25) - Pacific's major meet assignments for the 2025-26 swim year are available. Click here to view.
Request for Reimbursement
For requesting reimbursement from Pacific Swimiming for National Meets Travel and Lodging. Note that tax identification number and current address must be provided before any payment for services provided to Pacific will be made. (Updated 3/13/25). Click here to view.
Officials Apparel - Our inventory is fully stocked again and we are happy to be able to maintain the same prices for all items except jackets. We have also added a knit beanie cap for those cold, winter meets and, by request, a XS Ladies SS and LS polos. Please use this current form to order any items. Thank you for your patience!
Athlete Protection Training - USA Swimming's Athlete Protection Training course is available by clicking here.
Officials Background Checks - The current amount for background check renewal is $18. DO NOT let your background check expire! See your Zone Officials Chair or visit USASwimming.org to begin the background check process.
Important Links
USA Swimming Officials Information
- USA Swimming Officials Page
- USA Swimming Officials Applications & Forms
- Deck Pass Dashboard
- Education & Training
- Testing & Certification
- Officials Tracking System (OTS)
- Entering Other Meets in OTS
- OTS & Certification FAQs (rev. 4/2020)
Rule Books
- 2024 USA Swimming Rules & Regulations
- Pacific Swimming Rules & Regulations
- NCAA Rules & Interpretations
General
Safety