With the continued interest in formal and personalized education, USA Swimming is excited to add two  courses to USA Swimming University explicitly designed specifically for Officials. The Administrative Official Certification and Starter Certification courses are now available and free for Officials to take.  

The Administrative Official Certification course will certify and recertify Administrative Officials through approximately 90 minutes of interactive learning modules. It focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the Administrative Official before, during, and after a meet. The course concludes with an exam, and after completion, officials should be able to understand the following: 

• Process of managing meet entries and scratches,
• Seeding of timed finals, preliminary, and final heats,
• Resolve timing issues and
• Apply USA Swimming rules to determine, record, and post official results and scores.

 The Starter Certification course provides a unique opportunity for officials to certify or recertify as a Starter. The approximately 90-minute course features videos, activities, and an opportunity for learners to record and practice their “Take your marks” phrase.  Learners must pass the completion exam with an 80% or better. Once completed, officials will be able to understand the following:

• Apply strategies to execute a fair start successfully and
• Follow a process and procedure for each start, including when things do not go as planned.

Once Officials pass the course and exam, they should connect with their Local Swimming Committee (LSC) Officials Chair to begin their required on-deck training.

USA Swimming University enables USA Swimming members to access most educational courses free of charge, take advantage of their own educational journeys, and learn at their own pace. Other recent USA Swimming University launches include:

• Foundations of Officiating
• Stroke and Turn Certification
• LSC Leaders
• Coaching Network Webinar series for 10&U, 11-14, and Senior age groups
• Legacy Series with Bob Bowman, Jim Ellis, and Kate Lundsten
• American Development Model for Age Group and Senior