Referee Certification
Referee Certification Requirements
Prerequisites (need to be completed before you can begin on deck training):
- Age - 19 years or older
- USA Swimming member in good standing (current registration, APT and BC)
- Previous required certifications: Stroke & Turn Judge, Starter, and Administrative Official
Certification Requirements (completed within one year of clinic attendance)
- Complete a Referee Clinic (online or in person)
- Pass the USA Swimming Referee Certification Test
- Minimum four apprentice sessions at sanctioned or approved meets (not including observed meets)
- At least two different meets
- At least two diffetent mentors
- Complete the Referee Training/Evaluation Form after each session
- Evaluation Session may be done any time after the 3rd apprentice session:
List of Evaluators.
Note that evaluation session should include radios.
- Note that if evaluation is not successful, the evaluator must submit to the apprentice
a written action plan within two weeks and copy the Officials Chair.
- After completion of evaluation, submit the Certification Request Form.
- Certification: good until the Dec 31, 2026.
Referee Recertification Requirements
- Continue to be a USA Swimming Official in good standing (current registration, APT and BC)
- Session requirement: 16 sessions within 3 years, at least 8 in any referee position
- Attend a PVS Clinic (recommend Referee Clinic) at least once every 3 years
- Pass the USA Swimming Referee Recertification Test
- Submit the online Officials Recertification Request Form
- Recertification extends your certification for three years and recertifies S&T Judge,
Chief Judge, Starter and Administrative Official certifications until Dec 31, 2026.