- Home
- General Information
- Contacts
- Meets
- Training Resources
- Officials Clinic
- Apparel & Nametags
- BOLO
- Documents
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 attend clinics, receive training and are certified by USA Swimming. Novice 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 an experienced official. Those who are interested move up the ladder to serving as a chief judge, then to refereeing and starting--again, learning through a combination of clinics, self-study materials, and on-the-job training.
NEWS
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, an XS Ladies SS polo. Please use this current form to order any items. Thank you for your patience!
2022 Membership Cards for Officials - The 2022 Membership Card for Officials is your Official Certification Card. USA Swimming does not offer the option to print cards for Officials that look like the cards in previous years.
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
- 2023 USA Swimming Rules & Regulations
- Pacific Swimming Rules & Regulations
- NCAA Rules & Interpretations
General
Safety