Registration consists of four parts: (1) USA Swimming registration, (2) Background Check through USA Swimming, (3) USA Swimming Athlete Protection Training, and (4) Concussion Protocol Training. You need to be current in all four parts to be in good standing. You can check your status on the USA Swimming website from your USA Swimming Account.
USA Swimming and Potomac Valley no longer mail out registration cards to officials. You can print your own from your USA Swimming Account
New Officials - Create an account on the USA Swimming website. If you have created an account to register your athlete, you should not create an additional account - use that account to register yourself and complete USA Swimming Background Check and Athlete Protection Training. Contact your club for registration instructions.
Some clubs will reimburse the first year registration for their new officials. Please check with your club about their policy.
Returning Officials - Your USA Swimming registration is valid through December 31, 2023. To help reduce demand on the USA Swimming website, please wait to register for 2024.
2024 USA Swimming registration is initiated from your USA Swimming Account. Use the RENEW MEMBERSHIPS button on your dashboard to register with USA Swimming for 2024. NOTE: If your club has chosen to bulk-renew non-athletes, your club will have to register you with USA Swimming for 2024.PVS will reimburse the 2024 registration fee for returning officials who have officiated at least 10 sessions in PVS-certified (and apprentice) positions at PVS-sanctioned meets in 2024. Observed meets, approved meets, and meets outside of PVS are not counted. Sessions in positions that PVS does not certify (e.g., MA, CC and TC) do not count. After you have officiated a minimum of 10 sessions at PVS-sanctioned meets in 2024, complete the PVS Officials Registration Reimbursement Request Form.
If you do not meet the 10 session requirement, some clubs will reimburse the registration fee for their returning officials. Please check with your club about their policy.
Even if you have a successful background screening for your job or another volunteer organization, you must submit to a USA Swimming Background Check. The cost of most new USA Swimming Background Checks is $38.00. It must be updated every 2 years.
Log into your USA Swimming Account. Select Education->Course Catalog Click on VIEW INFO on the BACKGROUND CHECK tile and follow the instructions.
PVS may reimburse you for your background screen fee. The Background Screen Reimbursement Request Form has all the details and eligibility requirements.
The Athlete Protection Training is a free, online course. It takes about one hour to complete. Athlete Protection Training must be udpated annually.
Log into your USA Swimming Account. Select Education->Course Catalog Click on VIEW INFO on the ATHLETE PROTECTION TRAINING tile and follow the instructions.
Concussion Protocol Training is a one-time requirement that must be completed as part of registration. The training is brief and free. Two sources of training are given below. Once you complete your training, please forward the certificate to the PVS Registrar at registration@pvswim.org.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations)
Note that you have to add the NFHS test to your "shopping cart" and checkout—even though the course is free. The CDC course is pretty much straightforward click and go.