Chief Judge Certification
Chief Judge Certification Requirements
Prerequisites (need to be completed before you can begin on deck training):
- Age - 18 years or older
- USA Swimming member in good standing (current registration, APT and BGC)
- Previous certification as Stroke & Turn Judge
- Session requirements: Minimum 16 sessions as S&T Judge
Certification Requirements (completed within one year of clinic attendance)
- Complete a Chief Judge Clinic (online or in person)
- Have read the Chief Judge Professional Documents.
- Minimum of four apprentice sessions at sanctioned or approved meets
- At least two different meets
- Completion of Chief Judge Evaluation Form after each session affirming satisfactory performance
- Evaluation Session may be done any time after the 3rd apprentice session
(Evaluator List)
Note that the evaluation session must use radios.
- Note that if evaluation is not successful, the evaluator must submit to the apprentice
a written action plan within two weeks and copy the Officials Chair.
- After successful completion of evaluation, submit the Certification Request Form.
- Certification: good until Dec 31, 2026.
Chief Judge Recertification Requirements
- Continue to be a USA Swimming Official in good standing (current registration, APT and BC)
- Session requirement: eight sessions per year with at least four as a CJ or Referee.
- USA Swimming recertification test every 3 years for the highest certification held (note that there is no USA Swimming Chief Judge test)
- Submit the online Officials Recertification Request Form
- Recertification extends your certification for three years and recertifies S&T Judge.
- Recertifying for Referee will recertify CJ if the official is a CJ. Starter will NOT recertify CJ.