MSI Officials Certification Policy
The purpose of this policy is to define the
procedure for an individual to become a certified USA Swimming official in the
Minnesota LSC, Minnesota Swimming Inc.
The intent of this policy is to ensure that the highest standards of
officiating are continued in our LSC. It
is the interest of the Officials Committee to attract and train officials of
the highest qualify.
Minnesota Swimming certifies
3 officials positions: Stroke and Turn, Starter and Referee. Stroke and Turn is the entry level. After serving in that position for at least 1
year and upon the approval of the Officials Committee, a Stroke and Turn
official may apply for their Starter’s certification. Starters may move up to the Referee position
again after 1 year and upon approval of the Officials Committee. Approval is contingent upon the official
maintaining their certification in their current position as specified in the
“MSI Officials Recertification Policy” and having performed their duties at
their current position in a satisfactory manner.
There are 4 steps to
becoming certified at any position:
1). Attend a Stroke & Turn clinic. They are given throughout the swimming
season. Contact the Officials chair for location and times.
2). Become a nonathlete member
of USA Swimming, Inc. This is the required
first step. None of the following
actions can be taken or accepted until the individual is a member of USA Swimming
(either nonathlete or athlete).
3). Take an
open book test over the technical rules in the USA Swimming Rules and
Regulations.
4). Serve at
least 5 on deck training sessions working with a certified official at any USA
Swimming/MSI sanctioned meet.
Exemption
from step 4 may be made for individuals certified as officials by other organizations
(High School League, NCAA, etc.). All
Certification by the MSI
Officials Committee for individuals certified as officials in other LSCs is
granted upon proof of certification from that LSC and the individual is in good
standing with that LSC. The position at
which the transfer is granted is at the same or similar level as determined by
the Officials Committee.
Once an official has
certified, there is a two-year recertification process. After the first year, an official can
recertify by showing proof of officiating at 6 sessions. The training clinics offered by MSI can be
used to satisfy one session. You may use
up to four HS meets to satisfy the 6 session requirement. Successfully passing the certification test
for the highest level of certification can be used to satisfy the first year
requirement. If an official fails to
satisfy the 6 session requirement in the second year, he/she must successfully
pass all tests up to and including his/her highest level of certification.