Following are the steps to becoming certified:

1. Register with USA Swimming as an Official Member.  Do not complete any of the below steps using your Parent or Swimmer account.  Visit https://www.usaswimming.org/home/membership/non-athlete-membership for information on how to register. Once you have successfully completed all of the below steps to become a Certified USA Swimming Official with Excel Aquatics, the club will reimburse your USAS Official registration fee. Download the USA Swimming App to your phone. Once you've completed your registration, all of the next steps can be accessed through usaswimming.org once you login using your Official account.

2. Complete a level 2 background check. Visit https://www.usaswimming.org/safe-sport/complete-a-background-check to get started. 

3. Complete Athlete Protection Training (APT). Visit https://www.usaswimming.org/resource-center/athlete-protection-training to get started. 

4. Complete Concussion Protocol Training (CPT). Visit https://www.usaswimming.org/officials/concussion-protocol-training to get started. Once you've completed this course, email a copy of your electronic certificate to Brian Haddad at southeasternswimming@hotmail.com with a CC to officials@excelaquatics.org. This will ensure your certification is appropriately updated in your USA Swimming online dashboard.

5. Complete the open book certification tests online. Visit https://university.usaswimming.org/landing and click "Officials" to get started.  You will begin with "Foundations of Officiating."  Once that is completed, you will need to complete "Stroke and Turn Certification Course" (to become a stroke and turn judge) or "Administrative Official Certification" (to become an admin official and work the table). 

6. Submit your certifications to our Area Officials Rep. Once you've completed all of the above steps, email Jacqui Wright at chibisan3@gmail.com with a CC to officials@excelaquatics.org with copies of your PDF certifications for the above courses. Jacqui will update your status to Apprentice in the Officials Tracking System (OTS). 

7. Sign up to work as an Apprentice Official at an upcoming meet! You will need to work 6 sessions over a minimum of two meets to certify as a Stroke and Turn Judge.  You will need 4 sessions over two meets to certify as an Administrative Official. The Meet Referee will have an apprentice evaluation document on which you can track your sessions and any feedback from your assigned mentor. 

8. Complete a clinic. To become certified as a Stroke and Turn Judge, you will need to complete a clinic delivered by a certified instructor.  Jacqui and I are both certified instructors and offer clinics at meets.  Additionally, there is an online clinic available if that is more convenient.  To become certified as an Administrative Official, you will need to review the AO Clinic powerpoint which can be found at this link: https://www.gomotionapp.com/szsslsc/UserFiles/File/AO%20[Repaired].pdf. Or, you may attend an in-person or online clinic.

9. Submit your completed apprentice sessions and clinic information.  Email Jacqui Wright with CC to Excel Officials copies of your completed apprentice evaluations and the date/where you completed your clinic.  Jacqui will then update your status in OTS to reflect your completed certification.

10. Congratulations!  You are a Certified USA Swimming Official and we look forward to having you on the pool deck!

 

I’m happy to answer any questions or assist you along the way.  You can contact me (Laura DeMotte) at officials@excelaquatics.org.  Thank you so much for your commitment to our swimmers and our sport!