Open Water Official Certification

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Open Water Official Certification Requirements

updated 04/2025

Open Water Certification/Recertification Request

Open Water Judge

1. Minimum age 18, current with USA-S membership (as an official), Background Check, Athlete Protection Training, and Concussion Protocol Training.
2. Pass the USA Swimming Open Water Judge Certification Test prior to attending an OW clinic/event.
3. Attend an OW clinic taught by a National Official's Committee Qualified Clinician
4. Must attend a pre-race briefing
5. Recommended to apprentice at an OW event with at least one mentor (who has a minimum of one year experience as OW Judge) in any OW Judge position for a minimum of 1 event.
6. Evaluation by evaluator/mentor and/or OW Referee to be reported to LSC Officials Chair or Certification Officer.
7. After successful completion of evaluation, submit Certification Request Form

Open Water Judge Recertification

1. Continue to be an official member in good standing with USA Swimming (current registration, APT, BGC).
2. Pass the USA Swimming Open Water Judge Certification Test every two years.
3. Attend at least one Open Water event at least every three years in any of the Open Water Officials positions.
4. Submit the online Officials Recertification Request Form

Open Water Referee

1. Minimum age 21, current with USA-S membership (as an official), Background Check, Athlete Protection Training, and Concussion Protocol Training.
2. Previous certification as an OW Judge is recommended.
3. Pass the USA Swimming Open Water Referee Certification Test.
4. Attend an OW clinic taught by a National Official's Committee Qualified Clinician
5. Must attend pre-race briefing
6. Must apprentice on the water with a certified OW Referee for a minimum of one (1) OW Event
7. Recommended to be certified as a USA-S S&T Official
8. Evaluation by evaluator/mentor and/or OW Referee to be reported to LSC Officials Chair or Certification Officer.
9. After successful completion of evaluation, submit Certification Request Form

Open Water Referee Recertification

1. Continue to be an official member in good standing with USA Swimming (current registration, APT, BGC).
2. Pass the USA Swimming Open Water Referee Certification Test every two years.
3. Attend a minimum of one Open Water event every three years as an Assistant Referee, Administrative Referee, or Referee.
4. Submit the online Officials Recertification Request Form

Open Water Administrative Official

1. Minimum age 21, current with USA-S membership (as an official), Background Check, Athlete Protection Training, and Concussion Protocol Training.
2. Previous certification as an OW Judge.
3. Pass the USA Swimming Open Water Referee Certification Test.
4. Attend an OW clinic taught by a National Official's Committee Qualified Clinician
5. Must attend pre-race briefing.
6. Must apprentice on land with a certified OW Referee who has experience as Administrative Referee for a minimum of one (1) OW Event.
7. Evaluation by evaluator/mentor and/or OW Referee to be reported to LSC Officials Chair or Certification Officer.
8. After successful completion of evaluation, submit Certification Request Form

Open Water Administrative Official Recertification

1. Continue to be an official member in good standing with USA Swimming (current registration, APT, BGC).
2. Pass the USA Swimming Open Water Referee Certification Test every two years.
3. Attend a minimum of one Open Water event every three years as an Clerk of Course or Administrative Referee.
4. Submit the online Officials Recertification Request Form

Open Water Starter

1. Minimum age 21, current with USA-S membership (as an official), Background Check, Athlete Protection Training, and Concussion Protocol Training.
2. Previous certification as an OW Judge is recommended
3. Pass the USA Swimming Open Water Referee Certificatio Test.
4. Attend an OW clinic taught by a National Official's Committee Qualified Clinician
5. Must attend pre-race briefing
6. Must apprentice on the water with a certified OW Referee/Starter for a minimum of one (1) OW Event
7. Evaluation by trainer(s) and/or Referee(s) to be reported to LSC Officials Chair or Certification Officer.
8. After successful completion of evaluation, submit Certification Request Form

Open Water Starter Recertification

1. Continue to be an official member in good standing with USA Swimming (current registration, APT, BGC).
2. Pass the USA Swimming Open Water Referee Certification Test every two years.
3. Attend a minimum of one Open Water event every three years as an Assistant Referee, Administrative Referee, Referee, or Starter.
4. Submit the online Officials Recertification Request Form