PVS Officials

Certification Requirements for Starter

Certification Requirements
1.Age - 18 years or older
2.Attend a PVS conducted Starter's Clinic
3.Register as a non-athlete with USA Swimming
4.Be certified as a Stroke & Turn Judge for at least one year
5.Serve on-deck as a trainee with a PVS certified Starter or Referee at a minimum of five (5) different sessions at a minimum of three different PVS-sanctioned non-Officials Qualifying meets*. Start sufficient heats to allow the Referee to evaluate performance.
6.Perform to the satisfaction of the Referee and have such performance reported to PVS on the PVS Official's Certification Application Form.
7.Pass the USA Swimming officials tests for Recertifying Stroke & Turn, Starter, Clerk of Course, and Timing Judge with a combined grade of at least 90%.
8.Starts must be favorably observed at the last training session by a designated PVS evaluatopr. The evaluation will be recorded on the Starter Evaluation Form.
9.Complete certification requirement within one year from the date of Starter's clinic.
10.Certification is good until the December 31 following two years after the date of issuance.
Recertification Requirements
1.Previously certified by PVS or another USA Swimming Local Swim Committee (LSC) as a Starter
2.If from another LSC, fulfill all relevant requirements of the PVS Officials' Transfer Policy.
3.Work at least four sessions per year at PVS-sanctioned non-Officials Qualifying meets*, at least two of which will be as a Starter, and at least one as a Stroke & Turn Judge or Chief Judge.
4.Attend a PVS conducted Starter's Clinic at least once every two years
5.Pass once very two years thethe USA Swimming Starter Recertification Test with a grade of at least 90%.
6.Maintain valid USA Swimming registration
7.Recertifiaction is good for two years after the date your prior certification expired.
* Excludes observed and approved meets, such as high school, college, and masters competitions