Becoming an Official: USA Swimming Membership
&
Official Certification Requirements

All officials start out as a Stroke & Turn Judge or Administrative Official. If you are at a meet and would like on-deck orientation training just come over to the meet administration table and ask to speak to the Meet Referee. 

All officials must hold a USA Swimming Non-Athlete membership or Apprentice Official prior to apprenticing on deck. Apprentice Official membership is valid for 60 days, but does not require payment, Athlete Protection Training, concussion training, or a background check. After 60 days or after completion of certification requirements, the official must register as a full non-athlete member.

1. Member Registration
Complete your Non-Athlete Membership registration (full membership or Apprentice Official) via the USA Swimming Online Member Registration System.
** Get your team's registration link from your Club Registrar. **
OR
If you are looking to register as Unattached-MN (UN-MN), use this link.
 

2. Pass a background check.
This is done via SWIMs. (You will need to be logged into your account.) 
Go to EDUCATION/Course Catalog and choose Background Check. MUST be completed within 60 days of registration.

3. Complete Athlete Protection Training (APT).
APT training is required for all members of USA Swimming 18 years and older. MUST be completed within 60 days of registration.
Training is good for 1 year from date of completion.
This is  done via SWIMs. (You will need to be logged into your account.) 
Go to EDUCATION/Course Catalog and choose Athlete Protection Training.

4. Complete Concussion Awareness Training
NFHS or CDC
MUST be completed within 60 days of registration. (required by MN State law to be completed once every 3 years).
Certificate of completion MUST be emailed to Becky (bvonderharr@mnswim.org) or Tracy (tmeece@mnswim.org).

5. Participate in on-deck training at four meet sessions.
This involves training with a certified official during a swimming meet.

6. Complete Foundations of Officiating Course in USA Swimming University.
Course is online and is open-book (have a copy of the USA Swimming Rulebook available either as a hard copy or as a PDF). Officials' courses can be found in the USA Swimming University online portal. To access a course/exam, log in to your USA Swimming portal, click on "Education" on the navy blue bar on the top of the page, and click on "Officials." Next, select the desired course.

7. Complete Stroke and Turn Online Module in USA Swimming University. 

Officials may print their cards from the Official’s Tracking System (OTS). This card will be acceptable to use as their membership card at all swim meets. Officials may also show their “membership card” from their USA Swimming app on their mobile devices as proof of membership, as well as their current Background Check and APT. If you want a printed card, you can print one from Deck Pass on the USA Swimming website.

Not sure if your USA membership or certifications are current?

Log in to your USA Swimming portal and click on your Member Card to see your expiration dates. 

Concussion Awareness Training Information

Concussion Awareness Training for Coaches and Officials
State law requires that any nonprofit organization that organizes a youth athletic activity for which a fee is charged, must require all participating coaches and officials to receive initial online training at least once every three calendar years consistent with the Concussion in Youth Sports online training program available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site. See more information (including the statute) here.

Training Resources:

Concussion Training (CDC)

Concussion Training (NFHS)

Certificate of completion MUST be emailed to Becky (bvonderharr@mnswim.org) or Tracy (tmeece@mnswim.org).

Apprentice Forms & Certification Requirements

UPDATED: Certification/Recertification Requirements
Includes Coach/Athlete Certification Requirments: 
ONLY for current and former coaches, and current and former athletes with 5+ years swimming experience as a 13 and over athlete.

Junior Official ~ Stroke & Turn Apprentice Log Updated Feburary 2026
Junior Official FAQ

Stroke & Turn Apprentice Log Updated Feburary 2026
Stroke & Turn Apprentice Log - Former Coach/Athlete Updated Feburary 2026

Starter Apprentice Log Updated Feburary 2026
Starter Apprentice Log - Former Coach/Athlete Updated Feburary 2026

Referee Apprentice Log Updated Feburary 2026

Admin Official Apprentice Log Updated Feburary 2026

Chief Judge Apprentice Log Updated Feburary 2026

Apprentice Log - Written Action Plan
Written action plan should be used to document if additional training is needed or requested by the offiical.

Meet Referee Timed Final Application
Meet Referee Prelim/Final Application

Procedure for volunteering as a Meet Referee

Uniform Information

MNSI Official Uniform Policy

Information on Ordering Name Badges, Bells, Whistles, etc. 

Elsmore Apparel and Accessories Link

USA Swimming "Meet Official" Shirts Link

MN Swimming Radios & Headsets