TEAMGOLDUSASPORT • ATHLETE • COMMUNITY

FAIR • CONSISTENT • ATHLETE-CENTERED

Officials protect the integrity of competition.

Great officiating gives athletes a fair field of play, gives coaches confidence in the process, and helps every meet operate with consistency, professionalism and respect.

Official LoginMeet Calendar

SIERRA NEVADA • START HERE

Your path to becoming an official

Start with the SNS Stroke & Turn pathway. New national Administrative Officials follow a separate course and training route; ask the SNS Officials Chair before beginning.

Checklist marks are a planning aid saved only in this browser. USA Swimming and SNS confirm your membership and certification.

  1. Ask your club registrar for the official non-athlete registration link, or use Deck Pass. SNS currently lists an $80 membership fee.

  2. Complete APT, background check and concussion training. California residents also complete CANRA. Email your concussion certificate to Mark Brown, SNS Registrar.

  3. Complete the SNS New Official form for apprentice status, training paperwork and updates.

  4. In USA Swimming University, take Foundations of Officiating, then Stroke and Turn Certification.

  5. Complete at least four apprentice sessions at two different meets. Freestyle-only sessions do not count. Print the SNS training form and obtain signatures.

  6. Email the signed form to officials@snswimming.org after completing the requirements. Confirm certification before accepting a certified assignment.

Registration and background checks have costs. Ask your club about reimbursement. Register before enrolling to access member course pricing.

Based on SNS instructions updated October 1, 2026. Resources reviewed October 7, 2026.

Junior officials, ages 16–17

USA Swimming offers Junior Stroke & Turn and Junior Administrative Official pathways for premium athlete members. Complete the relevant course, youth Safe Sport training, concussion training and on-deck requirements. At 18, APT and a background check are required. Confirm the SNS junior process with the Officials Chair.

Returning officials: ready for your next meet

  • Renew membership and verify good standing in your USA Swimming account.
  • Check membership training and background-check expiration dates separately from position certification.
  • Review your certification and service history in OTS; request corrections from your LSC chair.
  • Confirm local recertification requirements, assignment and briefing time with meet leadership.

Open USA Swimming account · SNS returning-official resources

Meet-day reference desk

Check rule changes before every meet. USA Swimming publishes amendments that supersede corresponding passages in the PDF and printed rulebook.

Rules & amendmentsCurrent rulebook, mini rulebook and changes that supersede printed text.
Deck briefingPosition briefings and consistent procedures.
Meet formsDQ slips, timing and administrative forms.
Situations & resolutionsStroke and turn, starter and referee scenarios.
Certification standardsPrerequisites, training, recertification and templates.
My official history / OTSAccess instructions for credentials and recorded service.
National certificationN2/N3 requirements, evaluation guidance and applications.
SNS current officialsLocal renewal and service information.
SNS training & newsLocal resources, announcements and meet applications.
SNS name tagOrder a Sierra Nevada name tag.
Junior S&T FAQSNS guidance for junior officials.
Suggested meet-day preparation
  • Read the meet announcement; confirm session, check-in and briefing times with the host.
  • Confirm the required uniform, bring your name tag, pen and current rules.
  • Apprentices: arrange a trainer in advance and bring your training form.
  • At briefing, clarify jurisdiction, rotation and the procedure for reporting observations.
  • After the session, obtain apprentice signatures and check your service record.

TEAMGOLDUSA meet calendar · Championships & entry documents

Build your next qualification

Stroke & Turn → Chief Judge or StarterBegin with S&T certification; consult current standards for experience and training requirements.
Starter + Administrative Official → RefereeBoth certifications are prerequisites. Work with SNS on the next training plan.
LSC certification → National evaluationUse the national certification guide for N2/N3 pathways by position.

Clinics: check SNS announcements or email the SNS Officials Chair. No unconfirmed clinic dates are listed here.

Officiating across the USA

Find your home LSC or the LSC hosting your next meet. Ask the host about assignments, visiting officials and apprentice training before travelling.

Information updated Oct 11, 2026. Updated automatically once each month from USA Swimming. Missing references or blank fields keep the existing information.

LSC websites & officials chairpersons · 59 LSCs

Select a zone banner to expand or collapse it. Column headings sort within each zone.

WesternAlaskaakswimming.org Catherine FoyKodiak, AK(907) 713-5744alaskaofficials@gmail.com
WesternArizonaazswimming.org John RajadasChandler, AZ(480) 510-0372officials@azswimming.org
WesternCentral Californiacentralcalswim.org Taylor KahnFresno, CA(559) 779-4892twkahn@btconsult.net
WesternColoradoswimcolorado.org Derigan SilverDenver, CO(720) 544-1768officialschair@swimcolorado.org
WesternHawaiianteamunify.com Stephanie MonahanMililani, HI(540) 413-6687samonahan17@gmail.com
WesternInland Empireieswim.org Keith LambertSpokane, WA(509) 844-1993Ktlamber707@gmail.com
WesternMontanamtswimming.com Eric BelascoBozeman, MT(406) 577-6335ericbelasco@gmail.com
WesternNew Mexicogomotionapp.com Debbie SchmidtAlbuquerque, NM(970) 749-3565officials@nmswimming.org
WesternOregonoregonswimming.org Bill ShreeveCorvallis, OR(541) 740-3711bill.shreeve1@gmail.com
WesternPacific Northwestgomotionapp.com Ed LesnickKent, WA(207) 755-9638edlesnick01@gmail.com
WesternPacificpacswim.org Philip GrantBenicia, CA(707) 280-4008pgrant@pacswim.org
WesternSan Diego-Imperialsi-swimming.com Bob HorneSan Diego, CA(858) 578-4965bob.horne@si-swimming.com
WesternSierra Nevadateamunify.com Jason ShibataRoseville, CA(916) 275-5845jasonshibata21@gmail.com
WesternSnake Riversnakeriverswimming.org Glenn RothIdaho Falls, ID(208) 523-1002swimmerg1@hotmail.com
WesternSouthern Californiasocalswim.org Carol CracchioloPasadena, CA(213) 200-9410fixn2b@att.net
WesternUtahteamunify.com Julie FloydHurricane, UT(859) 913-2253jfloyd0202@gmail.com
WesternWyomingteamunify.com Daniel DiverPowell, WY(530) 370-2002daniel_diver@comcast.net

Publisher sources: LSC websites ↗ · Officials chairpersons ↗

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More useful regional and club resources

These examples offer additional training and reference material. Follow your own LSC’s certification process.

THE OFFICIAL PATHWAY

Start with a role. Grow through experience.

Officials develop through education, supervised practice and progressively greater responsibility. TEAMGOLDUSA keeps coach education and official credentials distinct so each qualification can be understood in the context in which it is used.

DECK

Stroke & Turn

Observe swims, apply the technical rules consistently and help ensure that every athlete is judged by the same standard.

START

Starter

Manage the beginning of each race with clear commands, consistent procedure and an athlete-centered understanding of the start.

OPERATIONS

Timing & Clerk of Course

Support accurate timing, athlete flow, heat organization and the operational details that keep competition moving.

ADMINISTRATION

Administrative Official

Help manage entries, results, timing-system information, administrative rules and the records that make results trustworthy.

LEADERSHIP

Referee

Coordinate the officiating team, resolve questions, protect consistency across sessions and keep the meet focused on fair competition.

SPECIALTY

Open Water & Other Assignments

Develop additional knowledge for open-water competition and other specialized meet roles as opportunities and qualifications permit.

RULES CHALLENGES

USA Swimming Rules

Explore the shared rules learning plan. Practice spotting what happened, choosing the applicable rule, and explaining a fair decision.

Explore Rules Challenges →
SWIM ANALYSIS CHALLENGES

Swim Learning Center

Sharpen event, heat, lane, timing, and race-observation accuracy using the same real-race training environment used by TEAMGOLDUSA data collectors.

Explore Games →

HOW TEAMGOLDUSA SUPPORTS OFFICIALS

Education should connect to actual meet service.

1LearnBuild rule knowledge and complete the required education for the role.
2PracticeWork under qualified leadership and develop judgment through real meet experience.
3ServeUse current credentials and assignments to support athletes and competitions responsibly.
Championships & Time StandardsOfficial qualifying times, meet details and entry packets.→Meet CalendarSee upcoming TEAMGOLDUSA competitions and planning windows.→Safe SportAthlete-protection expectations and education remain part of every role.→My TEAMGOLDUSASigned-in officials can open their role dashboard, education and assignments.→