Becoming an Official

Thank you so much for your interest in becoming a Certified USA Swimming Official.  Our officials ensure fair and safe competition for all of our athletes and play a critical role in creating opportunities for them to compete and excel in our sport

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. You will need to use our unique Excel Aquatics link to register. https://omr.usaswimming.org/omr/welcome/8B0D46EAA5E52F 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 clinic and 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. Sign up to work as an Apprentice Official at an upcoming meet! You will need to work 4 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. Please print an evaluation document from the Southeastern Swimming website and bring with you for your apprentice sessions.  Your assigned deck mentor will complete their portion of this document and you will then submit it to Jacqui Wright upon completion of your four sessions.  Find the Stroke and Turn document here: 

And the Admin Official document here: 

https://www.gomotionapp.com/szsslsc/UserFiles/Image/QuickUpload/apprentice-certification-form-ao-jan2025_018472.pdf

7. Submit your completed apprentice sessions.  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.

8. 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.  Thank you so much for your commitment to our swimmers and our sport!

 

Thanks,

Laura DeMotte
Excel Aquatics